Westhoughton Lions: Mission to make area useable for kids

It comes after Westhoughton Lions Rugby Club received a £300k grant for a new clubhouse, which is also used by other groups, including schools in the area and the wider community.

Following the completion of the clubhouse, there was soil, rock, and debris left over, which club treasurer Gareth Rose says is expected during these types of jobs.

He said: “It should be useable, but it is unsafe for the children to use, and we can’t let them go out there.

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“So, we want to tidy that area and flag the area, make it level, and make it useable for the kids to play out in during the summer so they can be proud of it, rather than it being an eyesore.

“It is well used by the community.”

Gareth has since organised a three-mile sponsored walk around Westhoughton to help raise the funds to transform the empty space, whilst also letting people know all about the club.

Gareth said: “We are a very inclusive, and true community-based club, and we always will be.

“We will never turn anyone away and will always find someone a place if it’s something they enjoy.

“The project will be of huge benefit to all members and everyone else who uses the clubhouse as a base for activities of hires the function room.”

Members of the club will take on the walk (www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Westhoughtonlionsrugby) on Easter Monday, April 1, and hope to raise £5k.

Once enough money has been raised, the area will include some new benches on a flagged patio area, complete with a children’s play area.

The volunteer led club have a mixture of teams, starting from as young as three to 50.

And Gareth says that are always keen to take on new recruits, no matter what ability they have.

The empty space is located next to the clubhouse, which officially opened in July last year.

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 X @JournoJasmine.