Project rugger and raddish

The Oldham Rugby Union clubhouse Picture by Merlin UAS Ltd

A £10,000 treasure chest has been unlocked to help create a vibrant community growing space.

Groundwork is supporting a fundraising appeal by Oldham Rugby Union Football Club as part of the national X Marks the Spot campaign.

X Marks the Spot is designed to encourage the public to celebrate and protect treasured spaces nationwide by volunteering, fundraising or spreading the word about their treasured spaces.

The RUFC project has been selected as one of 20 schemes from across the country to benefit and Groundwork will match community-based fundraising of up to £5,000.

The rugby club has a large area of unused land that it wants to transform into a community growing site.

The plans for the space include planters and a polytunnel, allowing residents to grow their own fresh food.

Tony Mulholland, president of Oldham RUFC, said: “I have always seen our club as not just a rugby club, but offering something more that the whole community could be involved with.

“From helping long-term unemployed undertake volunteer work to actively seeking ways to open up the club, allowing it to be a focus of the local community.

“I feel that the time is now right to take the next step forward in developing our vision of what we can offer to Oldham.

“What we are now looking for are the individuals who share our ambition to take this scheme forward so that everyone involved is a winner — both on and off the pitch.”

Oldham RUFC and Groundwork are now looking for support from individuals and businesses to unlock funding to create a new treasured space for the local community.

To find out more about X Marks the Spot and get involved in Oldham RUFC’s Growing Space campaign visit www.groundwork. org.uk/xmarks

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