Hundreds of people turned out last night for the Salford Flood Recovery Appeal Gig at Lower Kersal Social Club to raise much needed funds to help the Lower Broughton community get back on its feet.
With banners reading `Salford helping Salford', bands and singers including Salford Musical Youth's Operation Detonation, Ellwood, Phil Knox and John McFadden played sounds varying from heavy rock to indie to folk at the family orientated benefit gig.
As the bands and musicians played, everyone had their own story about the Boxing Day flood. Stewart Blair, from Kersal, helped clean up his friend's 87 year old mother's house
"I went down and you've never seen anything like it in your life; it was heartbreaking" he recalled "There was mud everywhere and everything was wet. They didn't get much of a warning so by the time my mate had got his mum upstairs there had been two feet of water in there. When I walked in she was in the bedroom crying her eyes out. We spent the morning cleaning the house up.
"I'm here tonight to show solidarity; I used to live in Lower Broughton and this is purely for them, Salford people sticking together and helping the Salford folk out" he added "We live in Kersal and were fortunate that we had a flood basin. On the day, we walked across the road to check it and you couldn't see the goalposts on the playing fields, it was like a reservoir. The sad part is that it passed it on to other parts of Salford. It's really upsetting"
Broughton's Ed Blaney, founder of the Salford Music Festival, was also at the Lower Kersal Club showing support... "The flood came within 200 metres of my flat, it was pretty scary" he said "I would love to have played tonight but our band's guitarist is injured. It's brilliant that they've got this together in such a short time and there's a great turnout.
"From what I can see people have had to help themselves, as they've had little support from Council and other authorities" he added "If you're getting paid to represent the city you have to be on call even during holidays; you've got to step up but I haven't seen much of that. The £500 people are being offered won't cover anything, it's nowhere near enough, and the Salford Music Festival will get something going to raise a couple of grand because it's needed..."
Music producer, Shaun Mbaya, who lives in Salford and has a studio on Chapel Street, was also up for doing something to help Lower Broughton's community... "I'm more than willing to do it" he said "The flood was a surprise and a shock and you can see the extent of how serious the consequences have been. It was on your doorstep. It's nice to come down today and see people showing support."
The need to raise funds for the flood victims was emphasised by everyone, including Sharon Roberts, who lives close to Lower Broughton... "At the end of the day some people don't have insurance and if they do, they have to pay an excess but it's not their fault" she explained "I think it's a rip off; if they have contents insurance they shouldn't be charged extra. But tonight has been a good thing to do and we're all here to show solidarity."
Joint organisers, Dave Campbell and Paul Bonney, from the band Ellwood, were thrilled with the turnout and the attitude of those who helped out, including Lower Kersal Social Club which gave them the room for nothing and stuff for the raffle, and Seven Bro7hers Brewery which sponsored the event...
"We did this with 72 hours notice and we've got a roomful of people" said Dave "Before we head back to jobs and on tour we just wanted to get our heads together, have a bit of fun, lighten the mood and raise a bit of money, and we've definitely done that. It's been well worth the while."
And Paul agreed... "We were just on the phone saying `Shall we do it?', and a couple of phone calls later and here we are. It's a bit of a success. Straight after Christmas as well, people have put their hands in their pocket...everyone's gone the extra mile..."
The final total raised was £1,142...
For more details of how to help out the Lower Broughton community see the Facebook site Flood Victims of Salford Support and Donations click here
Or the Facebook page Community Support and Flood Group - click here
Main photo shows Operation Detonation
See also previous Salford Star related articles...
*Salford Flood Shops Begin To Re-Open on Mocha Parade click here
* Salford Council £500 emergency payment to flood victims - click here
*Salford Flood Support By The Community, For The Community click here
* When The Going Gets Tough, Salford Gets Going... - click here
* Salford Flood Clear Up Begins Amidst Recriminations - click here
* Floods Devastate Lower Broughton - click here
* Salford floods as River Irwell Rises - click here
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