Family fun day raises over £5,000 for local causes

A family fun day hosted by motorcycle group Brass Knuckle Riders has raised more than £5,000 for two local causes.

The fun-filled day at Empire raised a whopping £5,164 on 3 June for the Rochdale Children’s Moorland Home and Parents Against Grooming UK (PAGUK).

Over 40 riders turned out to do the ride to Rivington Barn to collect donations and hold an impromptu raffle, before returning in convoy to the opening of the event.

 

 

Businesses from all over the borough donated services and prizes with approximately 500 people attending over the day, families bringing their children to enjoy face painting and candy floss.

Paul Whitaker, of the Brass Knuckle Riders, said: “Community-based groups like PAGUK and the Moorland Home are held in high regard by all here at Brass Knuckle Riders. Supporting our community in the same way that both these organisations do is our goal. The Brass Knuckle Riders want to thank all those that helped make the day such a success.”

 

 

Heather Bibbington, Fundraising leader for Rochdale Children’s Moorland Home, said: “The management committee and I would just like to thank everybody involved in the organisation of the event for all their hard work.
“The Rochdale Children’s Moorland Home charity receives no government funding and with costs approaching £70,000 per annum, we rely upon fundraising events and the generosity of our supporters.”

Founder of PAGUK, William Howarth said: “PAGUK wants to thank Brass Knuckles, Empire and all the local businesses and everyone who came to support. Also a big thank you to Dave from Elite Frames. The total raised will be split and children will benefit this either by the PAGUK walk-in centre or by the Rochdale Children’s Moorland Home. Great community support, thank you all.”

The PAGUK walk-in centre, which gives survivors of child sexual abuse a voice, was opened on 2 February 2019 by Knowl View whistleblower, Martin Digan.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/127405/heres-how-this-group-of-volunteers-are-fighting-against-grooming-and-child-sexual-exploitation

Rochdale Children's Moorland Home at Nab Farm in Wardle acts as a respite for children from disadvantaged families as well as offering a week’s holiday for disadvantaged children. Providing the children with an excellent environment to improve their social skills, quite often, this is the only opportunity that these children have for a holiday.

The farm was donated by Frederick Lye, one of Rochdale's most distinguished citizens and benefactors, to the committee in the 1920s.