Salford organisations react to the announcement of the Johnny Marr Award

Organisations across Salford have reacted to the news that musician, Johnny Marr, will provide financial support to young Salford musicians.

The former Smiths guitarist will be working alongside Salford Foundation Trust to provide financial support for anyone from Salford with the ambition and potential of achieving their musical dreams.

Salford Foundation Trust has been helping people over the last seventeen years by supporting applications from young people for a wide range of activities, from music tuition to football club memberships. Most recently they have announced the launch of the brand new ‘Johnny Marr Award’ for under 25s in Salford.

Peter Collins CBE, is the managing trustee at the Salford Foundation Trust. He explained: “Having a profile like Johnny Marr … helps the community see what we do…the more we can have publicity of this type, the more people see us as an organisation and are able to come to us and see if we can fund them.

“The Foundation Trust is about providing opportunities for young people.”

The Foundation works hard to provide people with the financial support that they need to fulfill a dream that they were prevented from achieving because of income.

Mr Collins added: “We are looking for someone who is on a journey and is limited by a lack of money… that would be the ideal candidate for us.

“It’s about identifying the need and we will pay for the need.”

The Salford Foundation Trust has been around since 2004 and has helped over 700 people. They wanted to get someone involved to raise the profile of their work, but also to encourage more people to apply to them around the theme of music. Subsequently, Johnny Marr agreed to contribute towards the award.

Since the announcement, there has been an uproar of positive response over Salford. Dave Leuvin , Co-owner at Salford Youth Music School, ‘The Music Shed’, said: “I think anytime someone gives back to the community it’s great, especially for someone with his status to give back to the community and help kids out.

“Instruments aren’t cheap there are talented kids everywhere and some people just need a chance.

“Music is important, it got me out of a rough neighbourhood when I was a kid, music can open up a whole new world.”

For more information on the Johnny Marr Award, visit the website.