A club formed by a veteran campaigner and fundraiser who died two months after setting it up has been given a big cash boost.

The widow of Harry Brown, of Clover Hill, Hightown, Liversedge said he would have been proud of the success of the North Kirklees Disabled and Elderly Social Club.

The club first met at his home with just five members. Since then membership had soared to reach 67 people - and is still growing.

And the Cleckheaton-based group has just clinched £3,486 under the Help the Aged Millennium Awards scheme run in partnership with the Millennium Commission. Under this scheme grants of up to £10,000 are available for projects benefiting people aged over 60.

Father-of-four Mr Brown died of a heart attack two years ago at the age

of 65. He was well-known for raising funds for charity and campaigning for the rights of disabled people.

His widow Rachel, 65, said it was pleasing to see the organisation's success recognised by the cash award.

"Harry would have been delighted. I am just sad he didn't live long enough to see the club take off,'' she said.

The funding has meant the club can now meet at St John's Church hall in Cleckheaton, which can accommodate the growing membership.

Members meet every Tuesday to take part in bingo, a raffle, musical entertainment, a tea laid on by volunteer helpers. It is a place where they can make new friends.

Chairman Bill Watt explained that the club had moved from previous venues at St Mary's Church hall in Batley and St James' Church hall in Heckmondwike because of a lack of facilities there for the disabled.

Meetings then transferred to St Paul's Church hall in Cleckheaton but again have been running out of space because of the club's popularity.

Club member Thomas Verity, 82, of Liversedge, said: "The club is friendly, enjoyable and the new venue is easy to get to by bus.''

Another member, June Hare, 65, of Gomersal, said: "A lot of people who hardly ever got to see anyone look forward to Tuesday afternoons.

"I've made a lot of new friends.''

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