A PROJECT which brings together a host of community groups that use the same two Victorian church halls has landed a double funding boost.

Halliwell Being Project has been awarded £50,000 from Viridor Landfill Grants to re-roof the hall at St Paul’s Parish Centre in Halliwell Road.

The historic hall, which dates back to 1856, is used by groups including Halliwell Befriending Service (HBS) , Halliwell Action for Work Alongside Youth (HAFWAY) and Bolton School of Dance and Drama (BSDD).

It is also home to Brownies and Rainbows units, a luncheon club and a craft class.

A condition of the grant is that ten per cent —£5,000 — must be raised independently, so a fun day is being held today between 11am and 3pm at the parish centre.

The event, which is free, will feature face painting, a bouncy castle and games including ‘splat the rat’ and ‘score a goal’, as well as a performance by BSDD and a display by Halliwell Historical Society.

The police will take a patrol car along and the fire service will also be there if not called out to an emergency.

The project is also set to receive a development grant from Big Lottery Reaching Communities Building Fund to develop plans for a major refurbishment of the community centre, which is also used by HAFWAY and Halliwell Befriending Service.

Over the Bank Holiday weekend, Rodger Petch, team vicar for St Paul's will be running the Manchester Half Marathon to raise further funds.

Rev Petch said both the Victorian halls are in desperate need of a full overhaul.

He said: “It would just be fantastic, people use the facilities as they are - they put up with it - but it would be wonderful to have something more appropriate for the different groups that use it and the times.

“We are getting near to the point where health and safety could say those buildings can’t stay open.

“If it goes ahead we will have the buildings for another 50 years, they’re solid structures but it’s just wear and tear.

“The other thing is there are fewer community buildings a number of churches have closed.

It’s important people recognise the need for people to come together to keep healthy. Loneliness has been identified as a problem, it’s about creating spaces where people come together.”

To sponsor Rodger visit mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/rodgerpetch1