Charity begins at work in our case thanks to the staff who have been pulling out all the stops in recent support of Mahdlo Youth Zone.
We've had two teams taking part in fundraisers for the town centre youth zone - both braving some inclement weather during a golf day and the Three Peaks of Saddleworth trek, while a third team of footballers made it a hat trick of HPP support by taking part in a tournament celebrating Mahdlo's all-conquering five-a-side team that recently won their league title.
Fourteen brave souls contended with some heavy rain and strong winds to complete the 15-mile three peaks trek, raising over £1500 of the £11,000 raised from the walk so far.
While twelve members of the team joined the 170 walkers taking part, Marketing and Business Development Director Dan Mounsey ran the route - twice! - and was joined by Systems Developer Michael Stevens on his first lap.
Dan, a keen endurance runner, says: "It was great to have Michael's company on the first lap, having someone to chat to really helps to eat up the miles. I got a touch of cramp on the second lap, but otherwise it went very well, and I was able to catch up with Team HPP so we could pretty much all finish together."
Similar weather conditions greeted the HPP golf team of Stuart Chamberlain, Health and Safety Officer , Gary Kinder, Purchasing Manager, Shaun Nolan, job title, and Phil Eaton, job title, who took part in the 18-hole team Stableford in aid of Mahdlo at Saddleworth Golf Club the day before.
It meant a double drenching for Stuart, who was one of our three peaks walkers 24 hours later.
Speaking of the golf day, he says: "It was raining constantly, the sort of drizzle that gets you wet to the bone; waterproofs were no use at all. At the end of the round shoes were emptied out of water and socks needed ringing out.
"I believe 92 points won the competition. We had a team score of 79, so quite a bit off the pace. Not a great day for golf but well done for all those who battled through and played for the good cause which raised over £5,000. Well worth the drenching to prepare for the charity walk the day after!"
Meanwhile, our football team of Shanks Das (Areas Sales Manager), Abdul Abdalla, (Warehouse Operative), Tony Platt (Full Sheet Warehouse), Scott Frost (Board Production), Jack Robinson (Sales), and Ricki Johnson (Board Production), lost 5-2 against the Mahdlo lads who were taking on all-comers from local firms. Local footy legend Paul Scholes made an appearance too!
Our two goals were scored by Abdul, who managed not to get sent off this time!
Praising our involvement, Claire Crossfield, Fundraising Manager, says: "Thank you so much for coming to Mahdlo and playing football with our young people.
"You helped make it a night to remember for them and it was extra special for them to have you there to share in their success. I caught up with a few of them at the end of the night and they were honestly on cloud nine, pride was oozing out of them, and their smiles were so infectious. We all hope you enjoyed it as much as they did!"
Mahdlo Youth Zone first opened in 2012 with HPP one of its founding patrons and is dedicated to young people from all over Oldham aged 8 to 19 years, and up to 25 for those with a disability. It employs 54 full- and part-time staff and is supported by an additional 96 volunteers.
The Egerton Street centre is open seven days a week and provides an array of activities and services in support of young people, with more sessions spread across the whole borough.
The latest events form part of an extensive year-long fundraising programme to help fund Mahdlo's mission to provide opportunities for young people to be the very best they can be.
Last year it raised more than £1.3 million - including £11,000 from its three peaks walk - to support its funding and is aiming for £1.7 million this year as it aspires to reach approximately 3,500 young people across the borough.
----------------------
Quick Links
MAHDLO Youth Zone - www.mahdloyz.org