Charity pioneer Bill honoured

BILL HOLROYD: honoured

CBE for founder of Mahdlo centre
BILL Holroyd, founder and Chairman of North-West-based charity OnSide, was recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours List.

He has been awarded a CBE in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the development of the charity, which he set up in 2008 to create state-of-the-art youth clubs across the region.

Mr Holroyd once employed 1,000 people at Salmon Fields, Royton at his food and drink distribution business, Holroyd and Meek. It is now part of a huge distribution network servicing restaurants, pubs and motorway service stations the length and breadth of the country.

In 2008 he launched Mahdlo, the “youth zone” project in Oldham town centre, due to open next month.

Having founded the hugely successful Bolton Lads’ and Girls’ Club under the OnSide banner, he was keen for Oldham to benefit from his expertise.

Jerry Glover, chief executive at OnSide, said: “Everyone connected with OnSide were thrilled with the news that Bill Holroyd has been awarded the CBE. HIs drive, ambition and total commitment to young people means that in three years the charity has four youth zones, in Carlisle, Blackburn, Oldham and Harpurhey, with a further four being built in Wigan, Preston, Chester and Wolverhampton.”

Mr Holroyd said: “This award is really recognition for the extraordinary commitment I have received from our supporters, private-sector ‘champions’, volunteers, staff and the local authorities who have given the Youth Zone projects their total support. My heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who has supported me and OnSide.”