Steve Coogan announced as Patron of the Lighthouse Project

Photo: Thomas Laisne

Steve Coogan, Patron of the Lighthouse Project

Inspire Middleton has announced that Steve Coogan, award winning actor, comedian, impressionist, writer and producer, has accepted their invitation to become Patron of the Lighthouse Project, their community support organisation based in Middleton, his family home town..

Steve is excited about getting involved in the work of the Lighthouse Project, he said: “This is an excellent community project that helps hundreds of local people by providing a vital life-line of support and engaging activities. Everyone gets a warm welcome, is valued and accepted, and is given encouragement to overcome barriers, learn new skills and realise that they can achieve more than perhaps they dared believe was possible for themselves.”

Steve is also keen to urgently help the Lighthouse Project find a new base of operation following their recent forced relocation from their 6 year home in the Warwick Mill, a former cotton mill where he used to play as a child, due to its planned redevelopment by the owners.

The Lighthouse Project’s current temporary base, which has just six weeks left to run, is also subject to potential redevelopment which means that the group are particularly keen to find a permanent long-term base from where to expand and develop their community work.

The Lighthouse Project is also home to Middleton Central Foodbank which provides emergency food parcels for people experiencing crisis, and Middleton DIAL which provides disability equipment, walking aids and wheelchairs for short-term hire.

Carl Roach, Trustee of the Charity and Development Manager for the Lighthouse Project, said: “We are delighted that Steve has accepted our invitation to be our Patron, and we are pleased that he is keen to support and promote what we do.

"We know that he is proud of his Middleton roots and has fond memories of the town, where his family still live, and we believe that his input as Patron will greatly add value and impact to our desire to ‘Inspire Middleton’.”