Island shoppers have helped raised money to refurbish Castletown’s Morton Hall.

Members of the Co-op have contributed 1p of every £1 that they have spent to local causes, and £15,861.16 has been raised for the Castletown and District Over 60s’ Club to aid its refurbishment plans to the community facility near the Station Garage.

This money has funded a substantial overhaul of the building, including upgrading facilities such as windows and curtains to improve insulation and appearance.

At a special event held to celebrate the completion of the upgrade, former Isle of Man Chief Minister, and club president and chairman Tony Brown OBE welcomed the funding.

’Thanks to Co-op members across the island, we have been able to improve this important club and community facility.

’This is already making a real improvement to our hall and events, benefiting our members and the local community,’ said Brown.

Manx Co-op area manager Andy Corrie said: ’The Co-op is owned and supported by members, and this money has been entirely contributed by them.

’Supporting local causes like the Castletown and District Over 60s Club is what we do.’

Morton Hall has served the people of Castletown for more than 50 years, since it was opened on July 27, 1970.

At the event to celebrate the upgrade, Mr Brown paid tribute to Castletown resident Jim Young - one of the last surviving volunteer members of the team that constructed the building in 1970, and an active member of the Castletown and District Over 60s Club today.

The amount of money raised significantly exceeded the club’s expectations. Consequently, most of the excess funds received are being dedicated towards a forthcoming major replacement of the Morton Hall roof, a large project being planned for implementation and completion later this decade.