Famous faces from the music and showbiz world are pulling together to back the campaign to save Salford Lads Club from closure. The historic youth centre must raise £250,000 by the end of November sparking an M.E.N. campaign to help the emergency fundraising drive.
"I couldn't believe it when I heard," says former Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley about the shock news. For TV star Catherine, the club holds personal connections.
Her beloved grandad, James Thornhill, has his name in a plaque on the wall as a club member in the 1930 and 40s. Catherine fondly remembers her grandad talking about his times at the club - and how it had changed his life.
It's why the former Strictly Come Dancing star knows only too well how vital it is that the club remains. She says: "My grandad spent most of his youth there, and he spoke about that place until the day he died. This is such a special place.
"They taught him how to box, he went on holidays with them, it kept the kids off the street. It gave them skills to enable them to find jobs. It was a big part of his life and I know continues to be such a big part of boys and girls' lives now.
"My grandad, who grew up on Weaste Lane, would be 90 now and I know there will be hundreds of families like ours who have had a family member supported there. Now it opens to boys and girls and we should be championing these places, and trying so hard for these places, they are essential."
Cath, from Walkden, has shared an emotional image her husband Tom took of her at the club four years ago - at a time when she wanted to remember her grandad. She adds: "My grandad was my hero, he was an incredible man, and whenever I want to feel near to him, that's the place I head to."
It has an extra poignancy now as she urges others to come together to raise cash for the appeal to save the club from closure
The Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess has leant his support too, posting on social media about the need to keep the club alive. Sharing the fundraising appeal he wrote: "@salfordladsclub has been there for so many people over the years - a real community hub, with a place in music folklore gathered along the way."
He added: "Well, they need us now, so let’s rally round and help them out. Dig deep, it’s for the worthiest of causes."
Manchester music icon Peter Hook, originally from Ordsall, is also backing the campaign. The former Joy Division and New Order bassist has been involved with community events at the club for years and has praised the volunteers there
He said: "They have inspired a generation of people in a really run-down area. The volunteers do so much with no pay, it's actually humbling. The fact they have the gym in there, and all the facilities, it has been an inspiration the way they've done it.
"I will donate to the fund happily because if you don't keep places like that going then what the hell is happening in this world? If you lose these grassroots organisation that are working for the people then what does that say?
"I will be supporting them and doing my best to bring it to everybody's attention that it's needed for this wonderful city, for both cities of Salford and Manchester."
He added: "Wherever I play in the world, whether it's Peru, or Mexico or wherever, there's always a couple of kids in the audience with Salford Lads Club t-shirts on and that shows you what a great thing, what an iconic place this is."
