Oldham Theatre Workshop friends 'floor' local youngsters with £2,000 donation

The Oldham Theatre Workshop Friends fundraising group has made its first significant donation of £2,000 to the local theatre group, providing an essential facility for youngsters which will enhance their experience.

The established youth theatre group is currently working out of a temporary space in Oldham Library, during the renovation and refurbishment of its former home at the Old Library, part of the newly-named ‘Arts Quarter’, which is currently underway.

And the young people who attend Oldham Theatre Workshop, currently around 300 kids per week from Oldham and the surrounding area, were thrilled when they arrived last month at the new space to find that a brand new black vinyl floor had been fitted, providing them with the perfect foundations for their creative, dramatic and musical work.

James Atherton, Artistic Director at OTW, said: “We moved into Oldham library just after Christmas and the studio we are in temporarily there will serve us well until the new permanent home for OTW is completed, but the flooring wasn’t ideal and didn’t provide our groups with the right kind of environment in which to create and perform.

"Thanks to the Friends’ generous donation we have been able to purchase a durable performance floor which has a slip resistant surface, and which is going to be fantastic for improving the space we are working in.

"I’d like to thank the team for raising the funds and generously donating them to us so we are able to improve the experience of our young people.”

Kate Palmer, spokesperson for the Friends of OTW, added: “We are thrilled to be able to make this donation to OTW and it’s a real milestone in terms of where we are in our fundraising journey.

"Our small team of members is growing gradually, and with an ever increasing fundraising target we are committed to delivering more funds this year.

"Every child who attends OTW gets so much out of it, and we really want to help support that provision, ensuring the fantastic work they do is available to all young people, particularly during these difficult economic times.”

The fundraising team have raised the funds by holding several events over the last 12 months, selling refreshments at the OTW productions during the interval and also through kind donations received from others running sponsored events.

They are looking for more involvement and members, and if you are keen to get involved you can do so in a number of ways.

About OTW Friends

OTW Friends are a volunteer group raising much needed funds for Oldham Theatre Workshop, with funds put to good use by OTW, purchasing additional equipment and funding activities, and in some cases, fees for families experiencing financial hardship.

Join today and get that warm fuzzy feeling, knowing you’re helping secure the future of our favourite youth theatre group.

Here’s how you can help:

Become a Friend for £20 a year.

Regular payments help to plan ahead and are a valuable contribution to fundraising.

Alternatively, you can get involved by holding a sponsored event, making a one off donation or volunteering at one of our events.

Go to the Oldham Theatre Workshop Friends website for more information.

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