Another £29k for 'youth zone'

ARCHER . . . Tony Lloyd has a go at archery helped by instructor Mike Hall (left) and Aiden O'Rourke

MAHDLO has been given another cash boost from Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd.

Mr Lloyd, who is currently Greater Manchester's interim mayor, visited Mahdlo Youth Zone as part of his last 100 days in office.

The Egerton Street youth centre was initially awarded £20,000 by Mr Lloyd from his Youth Aspiration Funding in 2015, and then £8,756 for its Failsworth Futures project in 2016.

And the Failsworth project was given another £29,294 when Mr Lloyd visited this month. It is one of seven previously funded schemes in Greater Manchester which has been awarded a slice of £350,000 to sustain the project for two years. Mr Lloyd said: "The Youth Aspiration Fund has made a difference to hundreds of young people and their families across Oldham, bringing innovative ideas and projects to life.

"Mahdlo's Failsworth Futures programme, for example, is helping local young people stay on the right path and realise their potential. This further investment will help this work to not only continue, but thrive, empowering more young people build relationships, learn new skills, and make better life choices."

Leo Casey, senior zone co-ordinator at Mahdlo, said: "The team and our members really enjoyed the opportunity to show Tony Lloyd around the building and talk about the range of activities and opportunities available to young people here at Mahdlo.

"The Youth Aspiration Fund sustainability funding will enable us to continue our current provision at community locations in Failsworth and Limeside and arrange pick-ups to ensure more young people can access workshops at the Mahdlo hub in the town centre."