A Leyland support group offering peer support to people in pain has landed £1,000 from a ‘Dragon’s Den-style panel’.

Leyland Pain Support Group received the funding after successfully pitching during a ‘Soup Dragon’s Den’ event organised by Progress Housing Group.

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The support group, set up two years ago by Siobhan Walker after being diagnosed with a rare spinal condition, cauda equine, will use the funding for activities, including swimming, exercise classes and coffee mornings.

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Siobhan said: “I am thrilled to have won but also shocked.

“There were so many great causes pitching for the money, and I would have been so pleased if they had won.

“I set up the Leyland Pain Support Group as my condition has not only left me in constant pain but feeling lonely, and after the first week, the group had 100 members.

“Everyone was saying how pleased they were to finally find a group where they could engage with others who were going through the same thing.”

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Seven community groups pitched their ideas to receive money from Progress’ ‘Community Investment Fund’.

Six other community groups, Affinity Performing Arts, Fylde Food Community Hub, Hebden Court community garden, Leyland Knit and Knatter, St Mary’s Community Centre, and Release CIC – Taboo Project will also receive funding of up to £200.

Siobhan, who thanked voters, said the group are to use the funding to set up private and specialist sessions for members, so they can ‘all come together and support each other more’.

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Progress Involvement Officer Sam Beattie said: “The evening was a great success, and we want to thank everyone who turned up to support the community groups and charities.

“It was even more special as it was our first in-person event in a long while.”

“There were some fantastic pitches throughout the night, showcasing all the inspirational work happening in our local communities.

“The audience again had a tough decision to make, and we wish Leyland Pain Support Group all the best in setting up their activities and coffee mornings.”

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They will hold the next Soup Dragon’s Den event in November.

For more on the Leyland Pain Support Group, visit – www.facebook.com/groups/leylandpainsupport

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For more on the Community Investment Fund, visit – https://www.progressgroup.org.uk/

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