Women can now apply to join Macclesfield Roundtable for the first time
By Alex Greensmith
23rd Aug 2022 | Local News
A good cause in Macclesfield is now recruiting women for the first time.
Macclesfield Roundtable are a like-minded group of people aged 18-45 who work to keep local charities going. They raise funds in the local area through events, and distribute it back locally.
No longer burdened by age-old traditions, now more people than ever can help out at the charity fundraising and social group.
The new sister organisation will be called the Macclesfield Roundtable Ladies Circle, and those interested to get involved can drop them a message on Facebook.
The change was announced earlier this year, just before the election of new Macclesfield Roundtable Chair James Hogben.
"Many Roundtables across the country already have a Ladies Circle and now we're delighted to set one up", said the Bollington resident.
"Macc Roundtable's core is raising money for charity, but there is a very massive social and business aspect to it as well, as we're all working age professionals.
"We do activities together on the third Thursday of every month. Each of our members pay a small membership fee to pay for this, but non-members are open to these social events as well.
"The money raised for charity is completely separate from our social events. I got involved in this way, when a friend invited me round five years ago.
"I've met so many great people from different walks of life that I wouldn't have met in my usual line of work, and has even given me business opportunities going forward.
"It is great for people who want to get involved in the community, and do good."
Popular public events hosted by Macclesfield Roundtable include charity quiz nights at The Pack Horse Bowling and Social Club on Macclesfield's Abbey Road, to Macclesfield Craft Beer & Gin Festival.
The latter of which regularly raises over five figures for charity.
Other popular events you may know that are organised by Macclesfield Roundtable include Santa's Sleigh, which raised a record £10,000 last year.
Charities they have supported in recent years include Congleton kids charity Ruby's Fund, Sutton's The Rossendale Trust and Macclesfield animal charity Windyway Trust.
Others include Cheshire Search and Rescue, Macclesfield Boys Boxing Club, Space4autism, Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust, and Cre8.
They can also take applications from causes who need help with funding, with a recent applicant hoping to establish a new local Scout Hut.
Silklife Foodbank also recently received a £1000 donation from Macclesfield Roundtable, a particularly welcome donation given the recent cost of living crisis.
Another big success story partially supported by the fundraising efforts of Macclesfield Roundtable included funding the new sensory room at Macclesfield's Park Lane Special School.
"COVID has seen a decline in membership, which is a shame because the more people they have means the more events we can put on and the more we can raise for charity," added James.
"But a couple of our new members had just moved here, and used it as a way to meet new people.
"There actually used to be two Roundtables in Macclesfield, but we have just the one now, but we now hope to establish the Ladies Circle of course.
"I could've easily joined a networking event, but they don't have the charity aspect that Macclesfield Roundtable has, it allows you to give back to the community as well as getting work from it."
Macclesfield Roundtable were also selected as the Mayor of Macclesfield's charity pot for 2021-22, which circumvented the rules that a Mayor could only pick two charities, as Macc Roundtable distribute to tens of charities a year.
Mr Hogben - who works as a Macclesfield property surveyor in his day job - was Vice-Chair for Macclesfield Roundtable the previous year.
"It is bittersweet for my family, because I spend so much time on Roundtable," he laughed.
"But it has become a hobby as well as my going out social life.
"But it can be time-consuming as I want really, because you don't have to go to every single meeting, but I love it and I'm Chair so I do.
"We are not as regimented as the Rotary, and younger than the Masons.
"I'd like to organise a Beat the Bounds fundraising walk in the future, and work closer with the charities we already help as well."
Aside their social events, their business meetings (to decide which charities to help) are held in a rotating cast of venues across Macclesfield, so they support businesses in that way with their custom as well.
Macclesfield Roundtable has been going for over sixty years. Many members become life-long friends, and even go on holiday together.
If you're interested in joining, please contact James and the team on [email protected], or via Facebook.
See Also: The Rossendale Trust sees huge donation from Macclesfield Roundtable and Ex-Mayor
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