A social club in Lower Kersal is to host a charity gig and family day to raise money for the 400 households hit by devastating boxing Day floods in Salford.
From 5pm today, Saturday 2 January 2016, the Lower Kersal Social Club on Stamford Street will see six bands, including Salford Musical Youth, soul band Mainstreet and local solo artist Phil Knox, play for free.
There’s a suggested donation of £5 on the door, which will go direct to the Salford Flood Recovery Appeal fund.
It’s been organised at just 72 hours notice to raise funds for those hit by flooding who’ve had a stressful Christmas and New Year.
READ: In the midst of devastating floods, Salford’s community resilience shines
Dave Campbell, a firefighter based at Broughton, has been part of local covers band Ellwood for the past 15 years.
“Over the years we’ve got together for various charity events,” he told SalfordOnline.com.
“Our drummer Paul Bonney is a professional musician with the Australian Pink Floyd Show, so we thought before he went back out on tour, we could come together and raise for the fund.
“We hope it’ll give people affected the chance to get away and enjoy an afternoon of respite with friends.
READ: Warning over the effects of flooding on health and wellbeing
“Tony Bardsley at the club has offered the Lower Kersal Social Club function room for free and all the acts are donating a few hours of their time for the event.
“From what I’ve seen in the press there’s some great organisations and community groups including the Broughton Trust and St Boniface’s who have been getting stuck in at the sharp end to help those evacuate from their homes, and by all the emergency services to help those hit by the floods.”
All the money raised will go direct to SalfordOnline.com’s Salford Flood Recovery Appeal fund, which currently stands at £1,479 with over 90 donations locally and from across the country.
For anyone who can’t attend and still want to donate they can do so online here: GoFundMe/SalfordFlood
“If we can raise £50 it will have been worth it,” said dad-of-three Dave.
“We’re starting early so people don’t have to get a babysitter – I’m bringing my kids along and we hope to encourage as many young people and families to head over too.
“It’s a really family-friendly event with everyone welcome to comes down for half an hour and relax away from all the mayhem they’ve had to suffer.
Doors are at 5pm for a 6pm start at the Lower Kersal Social Club on Stamford Road, M7 3SD. Call 0161 792 4717 or head to the gig’s Facebook page for more information.
Main image: Emergency crews rescue people trapped by floods in Lower Broughton – by GMP Salford East
