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Steve Coogan: Comic Relief fuels community spirit in hometown
20 Mar
Summary
- Comic Relief funding directly supports the Lighthouse Project in Middleton.
- The community hub provides a pantry, foodbank, and life skills support.
- Demand for services is growing due to the cost of living crisis.
Steve Coogan, the comedian known for Alan Partridge, has expressed his satisfaction with the tangible difference Comic Relief funding is making in Middleton, Greater Manchester, the town where he grew up.
As a patron of Inspire Middleton, Coogan champions The Lighthouse Project, a community hub partially funded by Comic Relief. This initiative, located in Middleton Shopping Centre, offers essential services including a pantry, foodbank, financial management advice, and work skills training.
Coogan noted the project's success in fostering a sense of community, reminiscing about the neighborly spirit of his youth. He stated that participants often describe the hub as feeling like a family, highlighting its role in reconnecting people.
The need for the Lighthouse Project's services is on the rise, with its pantry and foodbank assisting over 3,000 individuals last year alone. Staff attribute this growth to the ongoing cost of living pressures, which have led to a waiting list for assistance.
Comic Relief, established in 1985, has supported more than 35,000 projects to date, aiding individuals with basic necessities such as food, shelter, and safety.
