Oldham Active celebrates 21st birthday and raises more than £2,000 for Dr Kershaw's

Oldham Active (Oldham Community Leisure), the charitable trust that operates leisure facilities in the borough, has celebrated its 21st birthday with a series of special open day events at each of its newly-refurbished leisure facilities.

The open days featured free activities for all the family, including a fun Hawaiian themed pool party, exercise classes, face painting, cake sales and sporting activities such as badminton and gymnastics tasters.

Simon Blair, Business Development Manager at Oldham Active, said: “We’re proud to be celebrating 21 years of supporting our community to lead healthier lives.

"Whether that’s learning to swim in one of our pools, enjoying one of our group exercise classes or starting a wellbeing journey in one of our gyms.

“Oldham Active continues to provide accessible, affordable facilities, as well as offering specialist wellbeing programmes for all members of society, including our GP Health referral schemes, women-only swimming and school holiday clubs.

"We currently welcome 1.6 million visitors each year, and over the last 21 years we estimate to have served an amazing 34 million customers!”

During the birthday celebrations, Oldham Active took voluntary donations from visitors, fundraising for local charity, Dr Kershaw’s Hospice.

Stuart Lockwood, Oldham Active's CEO, was proud to present a cheque for £2,132.47 to Dr Kershaw’s Community and Partnership Fundraising Lead, Jill Kirkham.

Dr Kershaw's Hospice provides free, specialist palliative and end-of-life care for adults with life-limiting illnesses in Oldham and its surrounding areas.

The Hospice has a team of dedicated clinical staff including doctors, nurses, health care assistants and care givers, who support patients in the Hospice’s Inpatient Unit and Wellbeing Centre along with patients in the community through their Hospice at Home service and Caring Hands.

Jill said: “I was delighted to receive this cheque on behalf of the Hospice, and thank the Oldham Active customers for their generosity.

"Dr Kershaw’s Hospice always puts its patients at the heart of everything they do, but this is only possible through kind donations.

"The hospice requires £4.7 million pounds each year to operate, and two thirds of our income comes from fundraising.

"So every penny really does help.

"Dr Kershaw’s is a special place, filled with special people, and we want to be able to continue to support our patients lives with dignity and care.”

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