Madelaine Wilson
Madelaine's fundraiser for Youth First
Fundraising for Youth First
Story
Are you passionate about improving young people's life opportunities?
Riverside Youth Club was opened in 1969 by southeast London’s champion heavyweight boxer, Henry Cooper. For 50 years, the centre has given young people a space to make friends, discover new talents and opportunities, and have fun in a safe environment. Through years of heavy usage and building disrepair, it was forced to close in 2020. A community appeal and partnership between Youth First, Millwall Community Trust and Lewisham council enabled it to undergo necessary renovations, now reopening in 2025.
Young people have been actively involved in co-producing what the refreshed spaces and programming at Riverside will offer. Unfortunately, Riverside’s old equipment was badly damaged and we currently do not have suitable equipment and furniture to bring the spaces young people have envisioned to life.
Could you help us with this urgent campaign by donating?
Riverside is like a second home to me, I’ve been going there from the age of eight. Revitalising our youth club will bring a great sense of unity to the community that has been lost in recent years - Millie
How can you help?
Making a donation of any amount is massively appreciated by the young people eagerly waiting for Riverside to re-open. Your donation will support transformative equipment for sports facilities, training kitchen, music studio, learning spaces and more as part of Youth First's campaign for the centre's revitalisation.
We are also accepting suitable in-kind donations of equipment in furniture, please connect with us to chat.
Get in touch!
Explore what is coming with Riverside's reopening, including opportunities for provision hosting and facility hire, volunteering and more.
Contact our Riverside Project Manager
Madelaine Wilson
Email: madelaine.wilson@youthfirst.org.uk
Phone: 07875 094551
Read more about Riverside’s re-development here
