Leading business and youth charity join forces to help tackle the increased cost of living

The increased cost of living has prompted Mahdlo Youth Zone to launch an ambitious £10,000 fund raising campaign to help support young people and families throughout Oldham – which has already won the backing of one of the town’s leading businesses.

The charity is pledging to provide a free or subsidised hot meal for everyone attending one of its Junior, Senior, Girls and Family sessions until March 2023, in addition to stocking other food items costing no more than £1 for anyone visiting its café.

The fundraising drive has got off to a great start with Oldham-based Hill’s Panel Products (HPP) Ltd - which manufactures and supplies furniture, board, doors and fittings to the fitted kitchen and bedroom industry - creating an array of festive decorations destined for the Christmas tree at the Youth Zone when it is unveiled later this month.

Each one will be decorated by Youth Zone members and then sold at prices ranging from £10 to £150 to local businesses and individuals, who can include a personalised message of support, and who will receive their decoration as a thank you memento after the festive season.

Mahdlo has provided an insight into how the donations can help, It says:

£10 could subsidise 10 hot meals.

£25 could provide 125 hot soups and a roll for every young person in one session a week .

£50 could provide 50 gifts for Santa’s grotto at its Christmas Fair.

£100 could keep the Youth Zone doors open for somewhere warm and fun.

£150 could fund two youth workers per session, providing young people with someone to talk to.

HPP’s Marketing and Business Development Director, Dan Mounsey, said: “We are one of the Founding Patrons of Mahdlo Youth Zone, so we were delighted to help when they approached us to make the Christmas decorations.

"You cannot fail to be impressed by the important work Mahdlo does for young people and families in all corners of Oldham and we look forward to supporting them again in the future where we can.”

Mahdlo Youth Zone CEO, Lucy Lees, added: “A huge thank you to HPP for supporting this campaign.

"We’re here for everyone in Oldham providing cost-effective activities and a warm place for children and young people across the borough, so they’re less affected by the increased cost of living.”

Mahdlo has expanded the age range on Sundays for anyone aged 0 to 19 (or 25 if they have an additional need or disability), and their families to visit and have a warm meal together and enjoy a wide range of activities.

In addition, it has increased the availability of its clothes and school uniform bank.

For more information regarding accessing the clothing bank, email: info@mahdloyz.org or call 0161 624 0111.

HPP’s support for Mahdlo is the latest charity activity at the Scottfield Road business.

Its annual Wear it Pink day for Breast Cancer Now has just raised more than £200 and earlier this year, staff raised more than £1,100 at a Ukraine Day for UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, whose appeal is providing funds to support Ukraine’s 7.5m children caught up in the humanitarian crisis caused by Russia’s invasion.

Mahdlo is launching its festive season with a Jingle Mingle on Monday, November 28.

The free event will include mince pies and mulled wine and includes a tour of the youth zone.

Anyone attending will be asked to donate or enter the raffle.

You can book a ticket here

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