Two Charities Benefit From Funds

Two local charities are £2,000 better off between them thanks to the sponsors and supporters of the Oldham Business Awards.

Mahdlo Youth Zone and Dr Kershaw’s Hospice were the beneficiaries of an Oldham Business Award’s (OBA) quiz night at the White Hart in Lydgate – the money raised from ticket sales and a raffle held on the night. 

Sixteen teams put their knowledge to the test, which gave Dr Kershaw’s a double reason to celebrate after its ‘Dr Who’ team made up of Paul Cook, Lindsey Harper, David Macdonald and Julie Hesselgrove-Ward emerged triumphant. 

The awards, now in their 17th year, recognise and reward business excellence, acumen and entrepreneurial spirit among Oldham businesses of all sizes and guises. 

They also celebrate the community contribution made by local good causes, which saw £2,500 each donated to Mahdlo and Dr Kershaw’s following last year’s gala night – taking the charity fundraising total to more than £60,000 over the OBA's 16-year history. 

The two charities will again benefit from the generosity of guests and sponsors at this year’s glittering awards night on Friday, October 3. 

Before then, the OBAs steering group, a dedicated volunteer team drawn from a diverse range of locally based businesses, together with category sponsors, will have the challenging task of judging and selecting a shortlist and then winners of the 11 awards categories and the recipient of the Special Recognition Award. 

OBAs Chair David Wadsworth, founder and MD of Lees-based Cornerstone Design and Marketing, said: “I’d like to say a big thank you from me and the steering group to everyone who took part in what was a fun and worthwhile night – how could we ever forget when Mumps Bridge was knocked down and the year the Spindles Shopping Centre first opened? 

“We have a brilliant business community here in Oldham, the depth and breadth of which deserves the recognition the awards provide.  

“I’d urge every business - large and small, old and new - to submit a nomination, or to speak to us about becoming a sponsor if they’re interested in supporting the very best night in the Oldham business calendar.” 

Category sponsorships are still available for the Community Engagement and Business Person of the Year awards along with associate sponsor opportunities. 

Entries for this year’s awards have been extended until Friday, May 2 to accommodate for this year’s Easter holidays. 

Quiz runners-up were North Ainley Solicitors while there were contrasting fortunes for two teams from Cornerstone DM - 'the ‘Rolling Cornerstones' finishing third while its ‘#TeamDigital’ received the wooden spoon. 

As well as general knowledge and local history, the teams were tested on films, music and a picture round – all fuelled by a pie and pea supper.