Windfall hope from dormant accounts

AN OLDHAM MP is today urging the council to get on board with an organisation which releases dormant bank accounts — which could see a £1 million windfall for local charities.

Phil Woolas believes up to £1 million could be made available for local charities.

Manchester Community Foundation is a charitable body and works with local authorities to release dormant charitable funds.

They previously worked with Tameside and found £1million which became available to local charities, the Oldham MP said.

And now the Oldham East and Saddleworth MP believes that Oldham charities could too benefit.

He said: “I have approached Oldham Council about this and am urging it to work with Manchester Community Funding to release the dormant accounts which could really help groups in our area. I believe it would be as much as £1 million.”

The call comes as the Halifax Bank of Scotland identified £210,113 lying unclaimed in their accounts across the town.

There are 193 dormant accounts in Oldham east and Saddleworth, 135 in Oldham West and Royton and a further 257 accounts in Ashton, which includes Hollinwood and Failsworth.

The bank has launched a publicity campaign urging people to come forward and re-claim their rightful cash.

Legislation is currently going through the Commons which would allow dormant bank accounts which have not been touched for more than 15 years to be raided.

Gordon Brown outlined the plans last year which would allow cash to be taken to improve youth facilities and social investment.

People can find out if they opened accounts which they have forgotten about by visiting via www.halifaxlocateaccounts.co.uk or www.boslocateaccounts.co.uk or the BBA at www.mylostaccount.org.uk