Children’s charity Rochdale Childer celebrates 50th anniversary

Date published: 09 June 2019

Children’s charity Rochdale Childer celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special afternoon tea at Rochdale Town Hall’s Clock Tower Dining Room on Saturday 1 June.

Guests included the Mayor and Mayoress, Billy and Lynn Sheerin, former member of Rochdale Childer, Father Frankie Mulgrew, and supporters of the charity.

Rochdale Childer was founded in 1969, covering the whole of the Rochdale borough. It is run by active volunteers and is non-political, non-sectarian and multi-ethnic.

 

 

President Maureen Cooper MBE reminded guests of the aims of Rochdale Childer: to provide help and assistance for any Rochdale child in need, and to assist groups working for Rochdale children.

During the afternoon, cheques were presented to three groups supporting the children of Rochdale: Rochdale Children's Moorland Home, Child Action North West, and Milnrow Juniors Football Club.

 

 

 

 

 

The Rochdale Children’s Moorland Home at Nab Farm in Wardle is a non-profit charity that was established back in 1894 with the objective of ‘the provision and maintenance of a holiday home for children who are in conditions of need or distress’.

Rochdale Childer’s donations to the Rochdale Children's Moorland Home has provided outings to places like Gulliver’s World, a donkey sanctuary, ten-pin bowling, plus trips to the seaside.

 

 

Mrs Cooper MBE said: “During the 2018 season, over 450 underprivileged children visited the Moorland Home. The children enjoyed the activities and thrived during their stay. 

“The children loved the outings and would probably otherwise never be given the opportunity to experience such activities.”

Jane Barker, chair of Rochdale Children's Moorland home received the cheque from the chair of Rochdale Childer, Keith Fairhurst.

 

 

A new group to receive financial support was Child Action North West, which supports young carers between five and 18, ensuring they receive a break from their caring roles.

Mrs Cooper added: “Our donation will help the young carers to have some fun, learn new skills in the community, make new friendships, and provide a break for them.

“Fun sessions can be arranged such as trips to the cinema, kayaking, horse riding, bowling, games nights and summer trips. One of the outings which I enjoyed hearing about, which is very popular with the young carers, is enjoying a walk round Hollingworth Lake, followed by a chippy supper.”

Deborah Blades, from Child Action North West, and Sheila Allmond, a Rochdale young carers’ practitioner, attended with Ms Allmond receiving the cheque from Mr Fairhurst.

 

 

Milnrow Juniors Football Club received the last cheque, which will allow the club to subsidise the cost of training and playing for low income families.

Chair of Milnrow Juniors Football Club, Kevin Dunkerley, and club secretary, Louise Peterson were presented with their cheque from Mr Fairhurst.