Local sports clubs receive donations from Stephen Gartland Foundation

Shawclough U12s with their SG6 boot bags and water bottles from the foundation

2019 has seen the Stephen Gartland Foundation carry on their work for good causes, making a number of donations to several youth sport organisations throughout the borough.

After a very successful dinner and cabaret evening superbly organised by Pete Duffy in December, the foundation agreed to make a number of donations to youth rugby and football clubs such as Mayfield Mustangs, Rochdale Cobras, St Annes, Waterhead, Saddleworth, Limeside, Higginshaw and Shawclough.

Although mainly rugby-based clubs have benefited, they are not the exclusive recipients. Each request has been looked at on its own merit and dealt with accordingly.

Most – if not all – youth rugby teams in Rochdale and Oldham have seen some sort of donation from the foundation and this has gone to ease the burden of running these teams.

The foundation has also funded a series of sessions at Crimble Croft Community Centre in Heywood, run by Joanne Brown, aimed at empowering children through sports, talking therapies, creative lessons and meditation.

Mustard Tree is another organisation which has benefitted from the SG6 Foundation with a donation that was used to help people suffering the burden of homelessness, poverty and mental health issues. Mustard Tree are based at Ancoats and provide invaluable help and assistance across Greater Manchester.

There are also plans to assist in the purchase of a bespoke wheelchair for a chronically ill boy in Rochdale: as yet, details are still to be finalised.