Youth club scoops funds from latest Mossley SOUP

There was a soup-er turnout at a fundraising event in Mossley.

S.P.E.L.L. Youth Club secured the most votes at the latest Mossley SOUP community crowdfunding event, bagging £1,447 raised on the night.

Mossley SOUP volunteers welcomed more than 140 diners to Emmaus Mossley for their 12th event, sponsored by Premier Automotive. Diners donated £5 each in return for soup, entertainment, presentations from four local projects and a vote.

Live music welcomed diners as they took their seats and enjoyed freshly made soup and bread. Mossley SOUP master of ceremonies, Dave Jones, welcomed diners and paid tribute to the town’s response to people affected by the invasion of Ukraine.

Four project presenters followed, each having four minutes each to share their idea followed by four questions from the audience.

The projects were Access All Areas presented by members of Mossley Community Centre; Lifeline Community Ambulance presented by John Gilmore; Painting the Town presented by Mossley Town Team and pupils from Mossley Hollins High School; and S.P.E.L.L. Youth Club presented by Lindsey Tweed from Mossley Youthbase.

Lindsey Tweed presenting S.P.E.L.L Youth Club at Mossley SOUP 12

After the presentations, diners cast their votes and enjoyed a live piano performance by Brian Rothwell.

Before the winning project was announced, Tanya Roberts from George’s Den, winners of the last Mossley SOUP, gave an update on how the project had progressed.

Lindsey Tweed, presenter of S.P.E.L.L. Youth Club, said: “We are thrilled to have secured this money for our young people. It means so much to them and they have already started planning what they want to buy. It will be used for outdoor equipment so we can make the most of the garden.”

S.P.E.L.L. is a free, weekly youth club for ages seven to 12, based at Mossley Youthbase. The group are hoping to buy some outdoor play and gardening equipment. Now that the nights are getting lighter, the young people want to spend more time outside, to play, socialise and grow together.

As well as entrance donations and £200 donated by Premier Automotive, the winner’s pot included funds raised from a raffle. Prizes were donated by Bettie’s Pets, Donkeystone Brewery, Mossley AFC, Salsa Beauty Rooms, Scona Café, Suki’s Wardrobe and The Railway Fish and Chips.

Diners chatting at Mossley SOUP

Four freshly made soups were prepared by local volunteers Lesley Arnold, Darren Bateman and Dave Curtis. Soup ingredients and bread was donated by A Taylor Family Butchers, greengrocers R Noone and Son, and Pattisons Butchers.

Dave Jones, Mossley SOUP volunteer and MC, said: “This 12th event was a brilliant way to mark our fifth anniversary and the Mossley community did us proud with a fantastic turn out. We had four fantastic presentations and a very worthy winner in S.P.E.L.L. I love presenting this event and being part of a truly unique way of a community giving to itself. Roll on Mossley SOUP 13!”

Project ideas are being sought from individuals, artists, community groups, charities and businesses for the next SOUP. To find out more head to http://bit.ly/MossleySOUP.

Images by Brian Mitchell 

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