Local families enjoyed a day of fun in the Southport sun thanks to a joint fundraising effort spearheaded by Ashton-under-Lyne MP Angela Rayner.

MP Rayner teamed up with Ashton Hurst Councillor Dolores Lewis, Smallshaw-Hurst Children's Community and Ashton United In The Community to give local families something to smile about after months of misery due to the pandemic and lockdown restrictions.

The coach was funded by Councillor Philip Fitzpatrick and Councillor Jacqueline Owen who organised raffles, tombolas and football cards.

The Civic Mayor of Tameside, Councillor Janet Cooper, donned her chains as she waved the coach off from the Broadoak Community Centre in Ashton.

Once in Southport, families were able to enjoy the fairground, eat fish and chips and walk along the pier before partaking in a game of rounders on the beach.

MP Rayner, who is also Labour’s Deputy Leader, said: “When I was a kid, my family could never afford to go on holiday and we rarely left the estate we lived on. During one school holidays, someone arranged for us to go on a coach to Southport and its always stuck in my mind as the best day ever. Everyone was sharing sweets on the coach and there was such a happy atmosphere.

“The past 18 months have been so hard for everyone and I know that children have really suffered with the ever changing rules and restrictions so I just wanted to create some happy memories for local families.

“I would like to thank everyone who pulled together to make the trip such a huge success. Even better that the sunshine made an appearance! It was fantastic to hear the families talk about what a great time they had and see so many happy faces.”

Councillor Lewis also commented: “It was such a pleasure to bring these families from our local community together so they can make precious memories. This achievement was made possible through joined up working. We hope to be organising some more events soon.”

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