Oldham 'heroes' are saluted as lockdown anniversary approaches

Eric Noi is pictured (left) with one of the Greaves Street club's volunteers

Unfortunately, not much has happened on the sporting front at the Oldham Boxing and Personal Development Centre (OBPDC) in the last year due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

However, with next Tuesday set to mark a full year since the start of the first national lockdown, that doesn’t mean it’s been a quiet 12 months for the Greaves Street club and its volunteers.

Staff and volunteers have been busy distributing thousands of food parcels to local children, families and those in need – with the project kicking off before Marcus Rashford brought food poverty into the national arena.

Even before that first lockdown was announced last March, numerous telephone calls had been made between a group of people who could see the issues that would come to the fore.

Representatives from OBPDC, Chadderton Boxing Club, Mavericks, Good Food Mood, Ragngamati Textiles, and SPL Foods joined together and put together food parcels so young people across Oldham could enjoy a tasty and healthy meal.

Unfortunately, the team soon realised that the financial devastation brought on by the pandemic was much worse than they expected, so the food offer was extended to the homeless and anyone else who had fallen on hard times.

A link was also soon established with the Oldham Street Angels, who continue to give out food.

Politicians Sean Fielding, the leader of Oldham Council and Failsworth MP and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Angela Rayner, have also visited and shown their support for this terrific project, which is still going strong.

Eric Noi, Director at OBPDC, said: “This project exemplifies everything that is good about Oldham and shows what can be achieved when residents, businesses, and organisations come together.

“None of this would have been possible without the volunteers – who have potentially put their lives on the line to help others.

“So a big thank you to Tom, Ben, Zaheen, Donna and Jules.

"I'm sure thousands of others would like to shake your hands for your selflessness and commitment over the last year. It has helped to keep the food project open.

“They are real heroes and deserve recognition.”

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