Reuse Littleborough celebrates first anniversary in former pub

Reuse Littleborough celebrated one year since its move to the former Royal Oak Hotel, Littleborough on Saturday 3 August 2019.

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

The hub in the former pub was opened by Michael Bamford to initially support the 'Forever Angels' baby home in Tanzania who care for orphaned children. However, since its inception in August 2018, Reuse has supported various local causes too such as Rochdale Foodbank and The Red Box Project as well as supporting local families by distributing items donated by the public.

As part of their anniversary weekend, Reuse Littleborough sent a donation to Forever Angels baby home, who were then able to buy 500 tins of formula milk to feed their very hungry babies.

Forever Angels wrote to Michael: 'Thank you so much for your donation which enabled us to buy 500 tins of formula milk.

'Your donation means that 62 orphan babies will receive milk every three hours, every day, for the next month - giving them chance to thrive after a very difficult beginning.

'We are so grateful for everything you do, for your local community, as well as for vulnerable, orphan babies on the other side of the world.'

 

 

 

The group also presented six cheques of £500 – a total of £3,000 – to worthy causes in the borough that are poorly funded or receive no funding at all. Cheques were presented to Jolly Josh, Mothers Matter Too, 43rd Rochdale Rainbows and Brownies, Sam’s Sibling Support, Wardle Scout Group and Queen Street Children & Family Centre in Heywood.

Michael Bamford, who runs Reuse Littleborough, said: “We can’t believe it’s been a year.

“As we have always said, it’s not about the sales, we never ask for money, it’s all about volunteers. Our volunteers turn up to help for so many reasons and we welcome and support them wholeheartedly.

“As well as the boxes we pack for export to Africa, we have so many other charities we have been able to support locally, including providing much needed items for raffles and tombolas in local schools and supporting our local service users - midwives, social workers, health visitors, Homestart, Surestart and Hopwood Hall.

“Many of your donations have been delivered to local women fleeing violence, the homeless, asylum seekers and refugees.

“We have supplied so many beds, getting kids off the floor and provided life boxes to mothers and newborn babies with nothing, including cots, bedding, prams and lots more.

“We have given away lots of wheelchairs, crutches, walking sticks, walking frames, toilet frames and commodes.

“It’s been a great year, it’s been tough, it’s been rewarding, and we’ve had tears and laughs but it has all been so satisfying.

“Here’s to another great year, without fantastic donations we couldn’t do any of this, so to you all from our brilliant team, as always, we say a massive thank you.”