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JOY AS FUNDRAISING TARGET SMASHED IN RACE TO SAVE INSTITUTION KNOWN AROUND THE WORLD

- NEAL KEELING

SALFORD Lads and Girls Club has been saved from closure following a M.E.N. appeal.

The 121-year-old institution - a lifeline for young people from deprived communities in October it announced needed to raise £250,000 by the end November or would shut.

The M.E.N. can reveal that in just six weeks £273,000 has been raised and Donations include £100,000 from Salford council £50,000 from Morrissey.

The fundraising target was surpassed today after £30,000 was pledged by the gas company Cadent.

More than 1,400 people have made donations after the M.E.N.launched a GoFundMe campaign.

The auction of a Noel Gallagher guitar, and £10,000 given by Salford-born rock and pop star Graham Nash of 1960s group The Hollies and American band Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young also helped.

Now the club has breathing space. The next move is to set up a £lm 'Legacy Fund' - a permanent endowment fund that could draw down £40,000 to £50,000 a year in returns.

Last year the club's income was £160,000. It included donations; money from open days and visitors; hiring out the Grade II-listed building for weddings and to filmmakers; and its online shop. But projected outgoings for the coming 12 months are £394,700.