I am running 88 Kilometers across the South Downs in a race called Winter on the Downs - I am asking everyone I know to watch this short film and support my personal commitment to this club to keep our lights on.

On 13th October the Manchester Evening News launched a campaign to help save the club by looking to raise £250,000 - this will help stabilise the club for the next 2 years.

On 18th November an incredible team from dentsu Creative launched a campaign drawing on the precious heritage of the club with the full backing of the Smiths to ensure that "There is a Light and it Never goes out".

This incredible 90 second video tells the story like none other before:

The Salford Lads Club's doors opened in 1903 - doors that opened to a building purpose built to keep young people off the streets and out of gangs - designed by Henry Lord, built on Coronation Street and paid for by two brothers who ran a brewery called Groves & Whitnall.

One of those brothers was my Great, Great Grandfather.

It was his vision then "To Brighten Young Lives and Make Good Citizens" - the club has stood for 121 years but now it needs our help as funding cuts, the aftermath of COVID and challenges in the Youth Provision sector converge.

Please do what you can and help make sure "there's a light that never goes out"