Salford Lads Club aim to raise more funding with new short film

Salford Lads Club have released a short film celebrating musical heritage in a bid to save the iconic club. 

It is well documented that Salford Lads Club is at risk of permanent closure, with £250k fundraising needed to keep the doors open.

The newly released short film includes lyrics from The Smiths’ ‘There is a Light And It Never Goes Out’. Lead singer Morrissey donated £50k earlier in November in support to keep the club open.

Funds raised from the fundraising short film will contribute towards the club staying open and therefore serve the local community, which they have done for 121 years.

The film was shown on ITV on Monday night in an ad break during Coronation Street, it showed both young and old voices who have benefitted from the work and services provided by the youth club.

Dennis Lewtas, is the longest-serving member, joining the club when he was just 13 years old and now just about to celebrate is 73rd birthday.  He still volunteers to this day and has now spoke on the importance of the club.

Dennis said: “We’re the biggest youth provider in the City, since 1903 we’ve had over 22,500 members pass through our doors, and we hope we can say we’ve been a factor in making those kids feel valued and keeping them out of trouble.

“We try and teach the kids values, principles and how to build friendships, all of which we hope they carry with them throughout adulthood. But it’s not just about the kids in someways, but about the volunteers, it gives them a sense of belonging.

“It would be a shame for the lights to go out, not only for the kids of Salford but for the people of Salford because it’s an institution. If you turn the lights out where do the kids go, they come here and have a sense of purpose.”

Other significant donations towards Salford Lads Club include local business owners, Salford Council and local musicians such as The Courteeners.

Blaine Haney, who grew up as a member of the club and is now a youth worker at the club credits the club for keeping him, and other kids in the community safe.

Blaine said: “The club plays a massive role in the community, we keep kids off the street and keep them safe and out of trouble by providing this safe space for them.

“I used to come here when I was a kid, and I know if I didn’t come to the club, I may well have gotten myself into trouble. The club has massively changed my life.

“This club kept me safe and it’s protected my mental health. It’s a happy space and it’s always been a family environment for its members and the volunteers.

“We just want to raise as much money as possible so we’re not ever in this position again and we can keep the facilities and services we offer available for those in the community who need them,” Blaine added.

In order to create further attention towards the cause, over 140 billboards will appear across Greater Manchester and Salford which will call for people to donate and ‘not let the lights go out’, with QR codes on the billboard.

At this stage, the GoFundMe page has raised over £229k, just over £20,000 short of the target.

So far, over 1,300 donations have been made by supporters, and fundraising efforts are set to continue before the end of November.

As the final push for funding will include exhibitions, an interview with Oasis drummer Tony McCarroll, and Brudenell Record Fair, that will be hosted at the club on November 23.

Donations can be made on the club’s official GoFundMe page for those who want to help keep the lights on at Salford Lads’ & Girls’ Club.