'Great Ale Give Away' raises almost £5,000

Two businesses donated their cellar stock to the Committees of Lydgate Brass Band Contest and Love Lydgate, and members of Saddleworth Round Table

Bargain-hunting drinkers snapped up cut price ale in just two hours all for a good cause on Good Friday.

The White Hart at Lydgate and Dinnerstone Uppermill organised the donation-linked “Great Ale Give Away”, which raised £4,947.

The two businesses donated their cellar stock to the Committees of Lydgate Brass Band Contest and Love Lydgate, and members of Saddleworth Round Table.

The original plan was to sell the beers off over Easter weekend in the White Hart car park in three-litre bags, with a minimum donation of £4 per litre (£2.27 per pint).

But business owner Charles Brierley said: “All the beer has gone.

"Now, along with £2,000 from Lydgate Band Contest and £500 from Love Lydgate, we’ve raised £7,447 in just six days.

“This means we can provide meals for our NHS guests for the next seven or eight weeks weeks if required as well as up to 3,000 meals for AgeUK to distribute to the vulnerable in Oldham.

“But without our 20 plus volunteers from the village this could never have happened - so huge thanks you to you too.”

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.