A VOLUNTEER run community charity in Bentham has launched a fundraising campaign to help secure its future.

The Bentham Hub, which has raised thousands of pounds for good causes since it started in June last year, now needs to raise £22,200 so it can secure new permanent premises after losing its previous temporary home in Main Street.

It is already a long way to getting the money to buy the former community centre in Main Street, a listed, former Quaker Meeting House, which is on the market for £70,000, but now needs to raise the last £22,200 to secure the building and its future.

The hub, which is in the process of registering as a charity, hopes to buy the former meeting house for the community as well as its permanent home. If it is successful, it will have to carry out some repairs to make the building fit for its purposes.

Lesley Barker, co-founder, of The Bentham Hub, said: “The hub plays an essential part in strengthening our local community. Not only have we donated a significant amount to local charities to help them continue their great work, we created a place for people to meet and chat, which is vitally important for people's wellbeing.

"We’ve also been instrumental in growing a culture of recycling and reusing in Bentham and helped scores of customers save money in these financially challenging times. This model is totally win-win."

She added: “We have had a huge amount of support from the community and businesses since we announced our plan to buy the community centre. At that point, we had a shortfall of £35,000 and we quickly received £12,800 in donations, including £5,000 from Angus Fire. Our online funding campaign plays an essential part in helping us raise the remaining £22,200 to money raised to buy, refurbish and run our new home and create this asset for our community.”

In just more than a year, the hub has raised £43,650 for charities and good causes, allowing it to help organisations such as High Bentham Playing Fields, Bentham Dementia Group and the town's youth club, as well as lunch clubs and the community allotments.

It raises money through its large second-hand shop, selling everything from crockery to curtains, and shoes to shawls. In December last year, The Bentham Hub Too was opened, selling high-quality second-hand books, games, jigsaws, DVDs and CDs, in separate premises. The Bentham Hub Too is also the home of a children's room selling high-quality toys at low prices.

Sharon Haslam, co-founder, of the hub, added:“We never anticipated the amount of money we would raise for local charities and the benefits we would deliver to the community.

"In addition to its charitable donations, the hub has helped revitalise Bentham high street and provide a focus in an area of little footfall. We’ve stopped a huge amount of items going to landfill, helped reduce Bentham’s collective carbon footprint and brought together a huge community of volunteers who, in turn, benefit in many ways from their involvement.”

Mick Reid, co-founder, added: “The hub has quickly become the beating heart of community action and mutual support in our town, and a fantastic example of what can be achieved when we come together. We want to continue this vital work and secure our new home so that we can continue to raise money for our community."

People can donate to the campaign at: www.gofundme.com/thebenthamhub; or in person at The Hub, Bentham Donations are also welcome at The Hub on Bentham Main Street, open 10am to 4pm, seven days a week.