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VOLUNTEERS at Bolton Street Angels are searching for a lifeline as they face becoming homeless within a week. The not-for-profit community group will have to leave its town centre base in Churchgate — the former Originals clothes store — by next Tuesday to make way for a new business. The group had only moved into its current base in January after relocating to allow student flats to be built at their former location in Bradshawgate. Adrienne Tonge, from Bolton Street Angels, said: “We won’t be defeated. Volunteers have put 15,000 hours into the work on the streets in the past 12 months up until March. “Moving twice in six months is a huge drain on a voluntary organisation and diminishes the value of the service as the public who would use the Safe Space Cafe think they know where to go when they need help, only to find we have gone.” Street Angels launched in Bolton five years ago and helps town centre vulnerable drinkers to get home safely each Saturday night. About 30 people give up their time to assist hundreds of people during the evening and into the early hours of the morning each year. Estate agent Lamb and Swift, of Chorley New Road, Bolton, has been helping the group in finding a new base by negotiating with agents to allow Street Angels to pay peppercorn rent or a small service charge. But when a tenant is found the volunteers have to uproot. Mrs Tonge said Street Angels is looking for a hub close to the town centre’s nightlife particularly around Bradshawgate, Churchgate, the Bank Street end of Deansgate or Nelson Square. She said: “What we would really like is a modest room that we can occupy on a longer-term basis.” Steve Hoyle, owner of Downtown and the chairman of the pub watch group, is helping to secure a new home for the group by asking pub watch members and bar owners about the available space. Help is also wanted for when the group moves during the bank holiday weekend. The group is also looking for anyone who can provide a van to assist with the move. Anyone who can provide a space for Street Angels between 9.30pm on Saturday nights and 4am on Sunday mornings is urged to call Mrs Tonge on 07538 349686 or email [email protected]. Comments are closed.
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ROC Angels - an initiative of ROC (Redeeming Our Communities)
Charity - 1139817 / Registered Company - 7327258 Postal Address: ROC Angels, c/o The King's Centre, Park Rd, Halifax, HX1 2TS E-Mail: [email protected] (founder / CEO) / Phone: 07725501465 |