Local community group rejected as official charity

Photo: Rochdale Online

Reuse Littleborough

A local community group has been rejected from becoming a charity by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

Reuse Littleborough had originally applied for charitable status in October after working on their application since June.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/122901/reuse-littleborough-submits-charity-application

However, Michael Bamford, who runs the group based in the former Royal Oak Hotel, received a rejection letter in mid-November.

He said: “We plan to appeal as we think it’s the wording that has been misinterpreted.”

The letter recognises that Reuse Littleborough’s aim of relieving poverty is a charitable purpose, but claims the group is “not furthering that purpose.”

Regarding Reuse Littleborough’s shop, where reusable items are sold to the public and profit poured back into helping people in need, the charity commission states “it is not clear that this is separated from the other activities of the organisation and this appears to be a commercial operation.”

Ultimately, the Charity Commission ruled Reuse Littleborough ‘is not a charity’ as its wide range of activities ‘are not all about supporting those in poverty.’

The Charity Commission has been contacted for comment.

Since its inception, Reuse Littleborough has helped change the lives of many people both locally and internationally with your old items that have been kept out of landfill.

The team also helps supports many other local needs, such as the Rochdale Foodbank and the Red Box Project.

Read more about Reuse Littleborough's good work:

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/news-archives?type=News&searchtype=Phrase&Criteria=reuse+littleborough