Rochdale Children’s Moorland Home surprised with £8,000 donation from former Mayor Ray Dutton

Staff at the Rochdale Children’s Moorland Home were surprised by former Mayor Ray Dutton, who presented them with a cheque for £8,000 on Wednesday (6 September).

The Rochdale Children’s Moorland Home was one of Councillor Dutton’s charities throughout his year as Mayor in 2016/17.

He said: “For over thirty years, Elaine was a special needs teacher in Rochdale and took groups of children to Moorlands. The children and staff always had a wonderful time. It’s great to see how the home has developed over this time.

"We hope the money will support new projects for future children.

"Many thanks to our charity committee who helped us to raise the funds.”

The Rochdale Children’s Moorland Home at Nab Farm in Wardle is a non-profit charity that was established back in 1894 with the objective of ‘the provision and maintenance of a holiday home for children who are in conditions of need or distress’.

In the 1920s, Nab Farm was donated by Frederick Lye, one of Rochdale's most distinguished citizens and benefactors to the committee of Rochdale Poor Children’s Moorland Home.

Operating between March and September, the charity has two distinct functions in providing services and facilities for school children during term time and for children referred by children’s social care, schools and community groups, during school holiday periods.

The Home has now closed for the season, but will reopen around Easter next year.