Residents celebrate lottery award

Jack McCann Court residents association committee members at the celebration evening, with RBH Engagement Officer Steve Edwards, Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk and Councillor Iftikhar Ahmed

Tenants at Jack McCann Court were celebrating this week following a successful £6,500 bid to the Big Lottery Fund 'Awards for All' grant scheme.

The Residents Association was granted £6,487.97 for new furniture in the communal lounge, as well as a new television with Wii console and games.

By being thrifty and shopping around, the residents were able to purchase a bigger television than they had budgeted for - important for those tenants whose eyesight is not what it once was.

Hilary Garside, Treasurer for the Jack McCann Court Residents Association, said: "All the residents are delighted with the new furniture. It makes the lounge so bright and welcoming, whereas before it was not a space residents wanted to socialise in.

"We're enjoying practising on the Wii and we've organised a play-off with Yew Court."

Residents hosted a celebration evening on Thursday 14 November to mark the occasion, with guests including RBH employees, local MP Simon Danczuk and local Councillor Iftikhar Ahmed. Entertainment was provided by Rochdale's 'singing jeweller', John Alexander, who organised a collection for the benefit of Springhill Hospice.

Simon Danczuk MP said: "I'm really pleased that the lottery bid was successful. It has made the communal lounge more friendly and inviting, and I can see residents are enjoying the new furniture and especially the TV and Wii.

"It's great to see RBH doing an excellent job in encouraging residents to come together and I hope that they continue this good work"

Helen Kelsall, RBH Engagement Officer, said: "We're delighted to be able to help and support the residents to make these improvements. It's already clear that our tenants are making much more use of the communal lounge, and it just goes to show what committed and community-minded residents can achieve."

The Residents Association received help with their bid from RBH Engagement Officer Steve Edwards.