Village centre saved by appeal that included £20,000 donation

Oct 15 2009 By Emma Davison

Village centre saved by appeal

AN APPEAL to raise money for a village community centre has been hailed a great success – including one donation of £20,000.

Earlier this year the Examiner reported how Slaithwaite Community Centre at Bankgate faced closure without the thousands of pounds needed for urgent repairs.

Locals were urged to get behind the appeal to raise the cash for the centre which is home to more than 10 groups in the community.

The fundraising has been a massive success with businesses, groups and individuals rallying to raise a whopping £42,000.

The cash raised included a donation of £20,000 from one local.

Now the centre’s committee say its future is safe.

Sharon Hockin, the centre’s vice-chairman, said: “The support people have shown has been absolutely fantastic and we want to say a big thank you to them for making it happen.’’

Last year the centre – a former infants school – celebrated its 25th anniversary, but urgent repairs were needed to the building’s old roof, guttering and wiring.

Sharon said: “We needed to get the roof repaired, but were most worried about the electrical work..

“Without this we would have had to shut the centre because as a charity we wouldn’t have been able to afford the huge insurance fee so we desperately needed to raise the money.”