A grand gesture as Rotary show support for Mahdlo youth zone

Saddleworth Rotary President Clint Elliott and Club Community Champion Jon Stocker are pictured presenting Mahdlo Events Lead Elizabeth Kershaw with a cheque for £1,000

Christmas should be a time of happiness and hope, but for a significant number of people in these difficult times that is not the case.

Worries about money for basic needs has both highlighted and heightened for those in need as they see others around them enjoying the festive period.

Oldham-based Mahdlo Youth Zone recognise the pressures on young people and their families, who find themselves struggling to provide, sometimes even the basic needs, over what should be a time of celebration and enjoyment.

Their Christmas Appeal hopes to provide a better festive period for those young people in Oldham who would otherwise have missed out.

The Rotary of Saddleworth members are regular supporters of Mahdlo and members wanted to target any donation to the appeal at providing regular food opportunities to those young people, who during this period might struggle to get a regular meal. 

So, the regular evening teatime free meal provision, which is being run by Mahdlo for their young people in the run-up to Christmas and beyond into the New Year, was ideal. 

A donation of £1,000 to this aspect of the Mahdlo Christmas Appeal was agreed by the Saddleworth Rotary.

Club President Clint Elliott said: “To be hungry at Christmas when those around you are celebrating must be particularly difficult.

"Our members recognise the great work that Mahdlo is doing to help young people throughout the year, but particularly their efforts to bring some joy to those in need over the Festive period.”

Events Lead Elizabeth Kershaw, in thanking Saddleworth Rotary for their generous donation, said: “We are incredibly grateful for the generous support we receive throughout the year and at especially at Christmas, we are thankful for the extra help to bring joy to our young people.

“A massive thank you to Saddleworth Rotary for their generous donation, your kindness is making the festive season brighter for so many!”

Full details of the Mahdlo Christmas Appeal can be found on their website at: www.mahdloyz.org/christmas

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