Omaze house draw helps Age UK Bolton to fund social activities

A partnership with Omaze has seen Age UK Bolton receive a donation to help fund its vital social activities and support older people in Bolton.

Age UK partnered with Omaze and their Million Pound House Draw last year, which offered participants the chance to win a luxurious £4 million Lake District property and £250,000 in cash. The draw raised £5,250,000 for Age UK – the highest amount Omaze has ever raised for a charity partner. The money has been split between Age UK’s national services and local Age UKs across the country, including Age UK Bolton, enabling the Charity to extend its social activity offerings and helping to support its friendship services.

Age UK Bolton’s services are crucial to older people in the local community, supporting people like Maria, who found a renewed sense of purpose at a Tai Chi class after her husband of 48 years passed away.

Maria, 71, said: “I’d lost my confidence but it’s slowly coming back. I’ve got someone to have a laugh with and I’ve made friends.

“Twenty percent of the fun is in the exercise, but eighty percent is in the social side - that human connection.”

The donation will help to fund Age UK Bolton’s Ageing Well service, which provides activities for over 50s to support wellbeing and social connection.

Lesley Simm, Head of Ageing Well at Age UK Bolton said: “We’re thrilled to receive this donation from Omaze to support older people in Bolton. Contributions like this play a vital role in enabling us to provide essential services to older people and ensure we can be there for even more people in the future.

“Our services help thousands of older people in Bolton and it’s through the continued generosity of partners like Omaze that we’re able to keep making a difference where it’s needed most.”

James Oakes, President of Omaze, said: “Everyone at Omaze is delighted that our biggest ever raise for a charity partner is already helping Age UK have a huge impact – supporting older people across the UK, including in Bolton.

“Omaze offers people the chance to win amazing houses, while introducing charities to new audiences they might never otherwise reach – it’s a real win-win for both entrants and our charity partners.

“We’re immensely proud that the Omaze community has now raised over £100 million for good causes across the UK – funding life-changing work in communities up and down the country.”

Age UK Bolton is a local, independent charity. We rely on the generosity and support of local people and partners to deliver our vital work. Donate today: https://donate.justgiving.com/charity/ageuk-bolton/donation-amount