This morning I joined Prestonville residents to launch a fundraising bid for the Exeter Street Hall.

The hall was put up for sale by St Luke’s Church in 2011 after falling into disrepair and local residents are keen to see it remain in community ownership.

They aim to raise £300,000 through the sale of shares - £200,000 by the end of October to buy the building and £100,000 for refurbishing it.

I was delighted to support the campaign and accept an invitation to buy the first share!

The community value of this investment was underlined by the stories that I heard of people's experiences at the venue.

I heard of pensioners who’d first come to the hall as children for Sunday school; couples who had been toasted there at their wedding reception, later on bringing children to Brownies and youth groups; I heard of young mums learning Zumba and elderly gentlemen remembering parties and pre-arthritis ballroom-rumba.

All of these activities took place at the hall, which truly stands at the heart of the community, and I wish the fundraising group all the best for keeping it there.

To find out more about their efforts, or to register an interest see www.exeterstreethall.org/buy-a-share