Leek United’s ‘outside interest’ in Mencap...

10 April 2019

LEEK United staff have launched a drive to help improve the quality of outdoor life for adults with learning difficulties in Shropshire…

The Society’s Market Drayton team have chosen Mencap (Market Drayton)* as the focus of their fundraising activities throughout 2019.

And over the course of the year, they want to provide money towards developing a garden area at the group’s headquarters in the town.

Mencap (Market Drayton) moved into the purpose-built facility on Salisbury Hill View in 2017, after their old wooden premises had started to fall apart. But since then, they have been unable to afford to tend to the patch of ground at the rear of the new building, which has remained overgrown and strewn with rubble.

“The space is ideal for turning into somewhere group members can use as a proper outdoor facility in better weather,” said Laura Allcock, Leek United’s Market Drayton Branch Manager.

“Several of our customers attend the centre each week, and have mentioned it to us, so we decided to make Mencap (Market Drayton) our nominated charity for this year; we’ve already got collection boxes on the counter, and we very much hope that local people will support us with their usual generosity.”

To get the fundraising for Mencap started, Laura and her colleagues are holding a cake sale and laying on refreshments at their branch in High Street, Market Drayton, on Saturday, 13 April.

Representatives from Mencap (Market Drayton) will also be on hand to chat to visitors about the work of the organisation.

Richard Walton, spokesperson for the group, said: “We’d like to create a simple, usable outdoor space for our members, incorporating a grassed area and a small memorial garden in memory of past members.

“As a group, we don’t receive any direct funding, so the backing of Leek United is very important us, and we’re extremely grateful to Laura and her staff for their support.”

*Mencap (Market Drayton) provides a wide range of social activities for adults with learning disabilities, their carers and families. Its social club premises are open every Saturdays from 1.30pm to 4.30pm. The branch covers a wide area, with people attending club sessions from Market Drayton, Whitchurch, Wem and the surrounding rural areas.