Appeal to back park’s lotto bid

Limeside needs your vote

A BID to boost Limeside Park with lottery funding needs Oldhamers support.

Contour Housing Group has made it to the next stage in its bid for The People’s Millions Lottery Funding, which could see the green spot provide a safe haven for young people.

But the Friends of the Park group is counting on the people of Oldham to help them secure the funding by phoning in to vote.

The group and local community have already been frantically gathering support — and if successful will get money to provide sport and recreational equipment for young people and provide a safe space for them to meet and play.

Chairman Sarah Furbey said: “With Contour’s help we have been distributing leaflets all over the place.

“We have also got a Facebook page which you can find by searching for People’s Millions — Oldham project, and you can find us on The People’s Millions website (www.peoplesmillions.org.uk/regions/granada/projects/limeside-together ) where you can register your support.

“Limeside Park is up against several other projects nationwide and people can only vote on one day. That all important date is November 26. Lines open at 9am and close at midnight.

“You can vote up to 10 times and calls cost just 10p from landlines, so please, please tell everyone you know to vote for us on the 26th.

“We just have a couple of week to inform everyone and to get as many people in the Granada region to vote for us on that day. Please give us your support.”

Until a few years ago the park, on the Avenues and Hollins estate, was neglected.

But Contour Homes, which owns and manages most of the properties on the estate, set up a Friends of the Park group and together they developed a master plan.

It has already been transformed thanks to a combination of grants, plant donations, hard work and enthusiasm and is now a major communal facility widely used by young and old alike.

But there is still lots to do to fulfil its potential with the lottery funding the next stage.