Fulwell Community Library receives sponsorship from young runner Jessica Ord

Jessica Ord presents a cheque to Margaret Beck at Fulwell Community Library.

Jessica Ord, 14, finished eighth out of 208 competitors in the Junior Great North Run this year.

She presented a cheque for £741.00 to Margaret Beck – one of the founders and volunteers of the library. Last year, Jessica donated £710.00 to the library.

The library, now in its third year, is run by volunteers and provides an enhanced service in Fulwell with the help of local organisations.

Margaret Beck, Jessica Ord, Richard Beck, and Barbara Ord, Jessica’s Gran, holding the cheque.

It is also supported by Sunderland City Council and Gentoo, who have recently provided funding to replace the heating system in the library.

A grant from the National Lottery Awards for All, has seen emergency exits replaced, as well as some windows and doors.

The library exists by operating a Community Cafe, which sells hot drinks and cakes, as well as playing host to many local groups, such as a choir, a youth club in partnership with Friends of Fulwell, and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

The library – which has a partnership with Fulwell and Sea Road Traders – has enabled them to provide a Christmas tree for Fulwell, initially with Sunderland City Council Funding, but lately with joint funding, as well as furnishing planters in the Sea Road area, to try to improve the street scene.

The library is open Mondays from 10am to 4pm, Wednesdays from 10am to 5pm, Fridays 10am to 4pm, and Saturdays from 10am to 1pm.