CORNERSTONE has been selected as a finalist for The Lanes Shopping Centre’s £1,000 Community Fund.

Based in Denton Street, the organisation runs a community coffee bar in Denton Holme, run by volunteers.

As part of The Lanes’ Community Fund, launched in April, Cornerstone was selected by a panel of judges as one of six finalists to receive funding.

After Cornerstone was selected as a finalist, Cornerstone’s manager Andy Blake was on hand to tell more about the local charity.

He said: “Cornerstone is a volunteer-run community coffee bar in Denton Holme.

“We run an affordable coffee bar and create a meeting place for our community.

“Many people see Cornerstone as an extension of their own home and spend most of their day talking to our volunteers without feeling any pressure to spend money.

“We offer a ‘pay it forward’ program that allows people to buy a drink for someone in need.

“We run a busy food bank which is open four days a week and is a lifeline for many people, not just in Denton Holme but across the town.

“During school term, we offer a free weekly community breakfast that feeds up to 60 people, including many children who are not yet attending school.”

Andy also explained what Cornerstone would do with the £1,000 fund if it was chosen as the winner.

He said: “Cornerstone hosts free community activities such as a weekly craft group and we run a weekly wellbeing café where we offer free drinks and activities and a space to talk.

“If this is successful, we would use most of the money to replenish the food bank and breakfast, but we would also like to purchase some new activities that can be used in the free wellness cafe.”

Voting for Lanes Shopping Centre’s £1,000 Community Fund began on Tuesday 27 August on the shopping centre’s Facebook page.

Voting closes on Tuesday, September 3rd, and the recipient of the funds will be announced shortly thereafter. Locals are encouraged to support their favorite before the public voting period ends.