Bolton: Harwood Community Hub raise £15k in past 18 months

It all began during lockdown, when a bunch of friends known as the ‘Orange Apron Gang’ (OAG) got together and created the ‘Harwood Community Hub’.

Joanna Jowett – who runs the markets and who is a sister nurse at the Royal Bolton Hospital – says this was set up because of “realising how much the community needed somewhere to meet”.

She added: “We then thought ‘what if we had a market’.

“It opens Harwood Methodist Church up to people, and they can meet each other at the hub, which is good for the public, charities, and the church.”

Community volunteers, with Kath Morgan on the far left - who was a part of The Friends of Harwood and Longsight Park before she died (Image: Public)

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After raising enough money through books that were donated, the volunteers were able to buy a shed at the church, which led to starting the artisan markets.

The markets now take place six to seven times a year, in the new church building, as well as putting on a variety of activities.

All the proceeds from the markets go towards a wide range of charities, which is also shared amongst the church.

Joanna added: “We have decided this year to do things closer to home for local charities.

“This is all voluntary, and all the money goes to charity.”

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Some of the charities that the volunteers have raised money for include the British Heart Foundation, Bolton Hospice, The Christies, Smile, Fort Alice, and more.

Volunteers presenting the Friends of Harwood and Longsight Park with a cheque (Image: Public)

They also raised money for the British Heart foundation and Fort Alice in memory of Kath Morgan who was part of The Friends of Harwood and Longsight Park, and the OAG.

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Joanna added: “She came to our church and was a librarian at Tonge Moor Library.

“She helped organise the books when we started.”

The volunteers then went one step further and handed The Friends of Harwood and Longsight Park a cheque for just over £500.

Joanna added: “It was suggested that we raise money for something close to Kath’s heart.

“I can’t tell you how happy they were to receive money.”

If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.