A GENEROUS Barnsley businessman is parting with more than £500,000 to provide a new home for a local charity.
Mike Moran, development manager of Local Mencap Barnsley, said he almost collapsed with shock when he was contacted by the benefactor telling him he’d bought the building close to Barnsley town centre.
Compass House, on Castlereagh Street, was listed for sale with a guide price of £500,000 but Mike dare not even ask what the final price was.
“I think there was another bidder so I think he had to go above the asking price,” said Mike. “I don’t know exactly how much.
“It still hasn’t really sunk in I don’t think. I nearly fell off the settee to be honest when he told me.
“We wanted to thank him publicly for what he has done, but he’s a very private chap, so he doesn’t want us to tell people who he is.
“I think it’s just amazing. There’s not many people in this world would do what he’s done.”
The benefactor has a son who takes part in activities run by Mencap which supports adults with learning difficulties and disabilities.
He has already supported the charity in a number of ways, including several large cash donations - he made a recent cash injection of £15,000.
Mencap used to be based in Monk Bretton and when the building next to the church was sold they moved to Priory Campus, but have long been looking for somewhere of their own to grow what’s on offer.
Now Mike has grand plans for the new base, which was previously used by Barnsley Council’s social services department, and had at one point been destined for conversion to bedsits.
“We are going to be making a few alterations, including we’re going to have a Changing Place.”
Changing Places is a national scheme providing disabled people access to toilets with changing facilities and other specialist equipment such as a hoist. It serves people with disabilities which prevent them from being able to rely on a standard disabled toilet.
“There’s only one Changing Place in Barnsley at the moment in the town hall. It’s a massive thing for helping disabled people get out and about into their community.
“There’s going to be a fantastic new open plan kitchen, with Howdens donating 75 per cent of the cost of that, which is fantastic.
“We’re also looking to create a community hub within the centre that can be used by other organisations which support people with disabilities and learning difficulties.
“We want it to be a real community hub there offering all kinds of support to those who need it.”
Mencap supports adults with learning difficulties and disabilities every day Monday to Saturday, with trips and outings regularly organised for Sundays.
