Your chance to back charity's bid for £10,000 makeover

Rotherham Rise is one of four charities or community groups to make it to the final of the Johnstone’s Trade Community Spirit competition.

Based on Main Street, the charity is now hoping to come out on top in a public vote to win a redecoration makeover of its Women’s Centre worth up to £10,000.

A judging panel selected the final shortlist of four from 100 entries based on criteria such as the impact the project has on the community and the urgency for redecoration.

Rotherham Rise is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and has recently moved into new premises which is being transformed into a Woman's Centre to provide services for over 100 women at present.

Sue Wynne, the charity’s chief executive, said: “We are very proud of our charity and to be shortlisted for the Johnstone’s Paint Community Spirit competition is fantastic for us.

“We provide refuge, counselling sessions, advice and support for women who have suffered from domestic and sexual abuse or child sexual exploitation and are working hard to open up activities through the Women’s Centre for all women.

“We are also hoping to extend services for men through the Men’s Centre we are opening elsewhere in Rotherham.

“We are delighted with our new building — it has great character being the old sorting Post Office but if we were to win the Community Spirit competition, it would allow us to create a warm and friendly environment for people wanting to use the centre.”

Rotherham Rise’s quest to win the Johnstone's Trade Community Spirit project has drawn support from Rotherham United Football Club, with defender Frazer Richardson and midfielder Richard Smallwood both attending the centre to back their campaign.

Frazer said: “Rotherham Rise deal with very emotive, difficult and sensitive subjects but do a fantastic job and it would be brilliant if they could win this redecoration makeover.

“I would urge everyone living in and around Rotherham to vote for Rotherham Rise.”

To vote for Rotherham Rise, please visit www.johnstonestrade.com/communityspirit before February 29.