Walkden Legion Club raises thousands of pounds with Dragon's Den style event

A prize fund of £4,200 was shared between all the applicants, who had pitched their appeals to a panel from the Rotary Club in Walkden at Walkden Legion Cub.

The panel was made up of former teacher Lawrence Duffy, ex-nursing professional Ann Gavin-Daley, and the Bishop of Bolton, the Rt Rev Chris Edmondson Mrs Gavin-Daley said: “It’s been an absolute privilege to be here, and it’s been heart-warming to see so many initiatives going on.

“Hopefully, this will inspire many others so I’d like to say thank-you.”

After careful consideration, the panel decided to award cash to all the applicants, instead of just one winner.

Making the announcement, the Bishop said: “It’s fantastic the work what everyone is doing. The good news is that no-one is going away empty handed. This is because we have all been moved with all the entrants this evening.”

Community service chairman for Worsley Rotary Club, Tony Jackson, added: “The idea came when the money was left over from the Christmas float.

“We had over £4,000 left and we didn’t know who to donate it to so we decided to run this event.”

Tony Martin, aged 49, from homeless charity Loaves and Fishes, was thrilled with the £480 donated to his group.

He said: “It will be awesome.

“It means we will be able to afford more equipment, giving us more opportunities.”

Calm Dawn help group manager Daniel Tanyi was delighted with the £350 donated to help his black ethnic group.

He said: “The generosity of tonight is fantastic. Because of this, the black ethnic minority will receive money to help protect from domestic and public violence.”

Other groups which received cash awards were: Friends of Roe Green £350, Worsley Village Community Association £200, Calm Dawn Clinic £350, Friends of Spring Wood £500, Antz Junction Swinton £500, Eccles Rugby FC £450, St Paul’s Peel Parish Community Hall £390, Salford Loaves and Fishes £480, Tree Tops Counselling £500, St Paul’s Peel Brownies/Rainbows £480.