COMMUNITY leaders gathered to celebrate the launch of a new centre which hopes to provide a safe space for those in need as a "hard winter" approaches.
The Jubilee Centre on Jermyn Street, close to the city centre, was purchased by The Light Church, which raised £300,000 to secure the purchase and the renovation of the centre.
The space will be used for church services and will also be the home of the Bradford Central foodbank, which supports people across the district who are struggling with food poverty.
Matt Barlow, lead pastor at The Light Church, said: “This is a great opportunity to say thank you.
“The purchase and renovation of this building has only been possible because of the so many people and businesses involved.
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“It just means so much that we are able to be here and do what we do for the people of Bradford who find themselves in difficult situations.”
A civic launch was held on Thursday, where representatives from charities and businesses, as well as the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Martin Love, were in attendance.
The church raised a huge £22,500 through the foodbank's staff taking on a 72-hour fast.
Money for the purchase of the building was also secured through Government grants and the generosity of local businesses.
Rachel Dawson, part of the team at The Light Church, said: “We wanted the building to be a safe space for people and make it feel cosy for them and give them some dignity when they come here for their hot meals.
“We’re glad that we are up and running for the hard winter that’s coming.”
The building was purchased from the Bradford-based charity Christians Against Poverty.
Lady Mayoress Helen Love has recently started volunteering at the foodbank.
She said: “There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes and I’ve learnt a lot in the past couple of weeks.
“I like to talk with the people who are having their lunch and they’re all really polite and I get on really with them.
“It’s a good way to give back and it’s brilliant what The Light Church has done here.”
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