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Salford Lads’ and Girls’ Club is SAVED after Greater Manchester rallies behind local institution
'There Is a Light That Never Goes Out.'
Danny Jones -
28th November 2024 
Fantastic news as long-standing Greater Manchester institution Salford Lads’ and Girls’ Club has officially been saved from closure.
It’s an early Christmas miracle.
Just a few days out from what would have been endgame for them, after being threatened with closure just over six weeks ago, Salford Lads’ and Girls’ Club has officially hit its fundraising target and has been rescued from the brink.
Announcing the news on Thursday, 28 November, they confirmed that their doors will be staying open and their important community efforts aren’t going anywhere.
The iconic Manc venue has served as one of the most cultural sites in the entire region, helping lay the foundations for countless important figures in music, sport, art and more.
It’s no exaggeration to say that its influences are quite literally woven into the fabric not only of Salford but Manchester and the 10 boroughs as a whole, having hosted names like John Cooper Clarke, nurturing future footballers such as ‘Busby Babe’ Eddie Colman, and perhaps most famously being the location for The Smiths‘ iconic Queen Is Dead photoshoot.
Their motto throughout the course of their full century and two decades worth of serving the local area has always been to ‘Brighten Young Lives and Make Good Citizens’, and so it shall remain.
After being given notice amid rising costs, energy bills and a general lack of funding back in October, the community and recreation centre was given until the end of November to raise a whopping quarter of a million pounds and thanks to the incredible efforts from thousands of generous souls, they managed it.
With Northern bands like locals Rolla, The Courteeners, former Smiths frontman Morrissey, songwriting legend Graham Nash and many other artists helping raise funds through charity gigs and sizeable contributions, not to mention countless Salfordian volunteers taking time out of their everyday lives to get behind the crucial cause, Greater Manchester truly showed its best face.
So, while we’re riding the wave of celebratory joy we’d like to try and gain some more followers! Maybe you love Music, History, Architecture. But, if you Believe in Better Tomorrow for The Youth of Today then please give us a follow!
— Salford Lads' Club (@salfordladsclub) November 28, 2024
Thanks 💚 pic.twitter.com/DVwpeBecQR
The club – which not only helps provide everything from vital sports provision for Greater Manchester clubs and safe after-school outlets to children, to practice spaces and away days which for those less fortunate might be their first-ever trip outside of their hometown – also released the short but moving fundraising film seen above, which certainly helped get extra eyes on the crucial community initiative.
Although there were some big benefactors and local businesses that got behind the project, it was regular people like you who helped spread the word and all those who donated even just a few quid that sealed this victory.
Greater Manchester can hold its head very high and be more than proud of itself.
The fundraiser is now past its £250,000 target and is now sitting on more than £273k, but donations are still being welcomed to help keep the institution afloat if you’d like to donate HERE.
God knows how many lives they’ve saved over the years — long live Salford Lads’ and Girls’ Club!
Read more:
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- Gregg Wallace steps down as MasterChef host amid misconduct investigation
- Manchester United fans planning protest over significant ticket price increase
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Featured Images — The Manc Group
