A CHARITY initiative in Bentham, North Yorkshire, may bring new life to a community centre which is currently vacant and in need of repair. 

The Bentham Hub wishes to move into the community centre on Main Street. The listed building was built in 1864 as a Quakers Friends' Meeting House. It was previously the home of Pop Up Pantry and Bentham Youth Club. 

The Hub is run by a team of volunteers, and it sells second-hand goods to raise money for different beneficiaries each month. It is in the process of becoming a registered charity.

It claims to have raised £43,650 since it started in June 2022 to help local charities in the area. This includes High Bentham Playing Fields, Bentham Dementia Group, Bentham Youth Club, Bentham Friday Lunch Club, Low Bentham’s Community Link Cafe, Bentham Community Allotments and others. 

The initiative will have to move out of its current premises due to circumstances 'out of its control.' 

In order to buy this building, The Bentham Hub needs to raise £22,200. This is supported by some of the organisation’s own funds and includes money required for initial repairs to make the building fit for purpose.

READ MORE: The Bentham Hub raised thousands of pounds for charities

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 at the heart of the community, which is vitally important for people's wellbeing. 

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

“We have had a huge amount of support from the local community and local 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 local business 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.”

CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK TO THE CAMPAIGN