AN EDUCATIONAL charity and community group has been awarded lottery funding to upgrade the social areas to help support their work.

Whalley Educational Foundation has been awarded over £9,000 in National Lottery funding to upgrade the social area and kitchen in the community centre located in the Old Grammar School.

Chairman Terry Hill, says: “We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way. Now, thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to press on with our plans to continue to improve the Centre.

"In this time of a pandemic, it will be nice to welcome our returning users to a revitalised social area that is so important to of our many users”.

The Foundation, which was established in 1914, has been actively running the centre since 2013 and is supported by over 20 volunteers.

Currently closed the the public due to Covid-19, the centre would normally be used by local groups running sessions to bring the community together in activities as diverse as from art to yoga.

The new funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK, will enable the Foundation to provide a new kitchen and social area.