Anti-austerity concert in Castleton raises over £400

Malcolm Pelham, Gerry O'Gorman, Denise and Derek Chadwick

An ‘anti-austerity’ concert in Castleton on Friday (12 May) raised over £400.

Four Rochdale musicians performed at the event, which was organised by ‘We Shall Overcome’, to raise funds for people acutely affected by poverty and government funding cuts in the borough.

In addition, numerous food donations were made to the towns' food banks.

Gerry O'Gorman, spokesman from the Anti-Austerity musicians' organisation 'We Shall Overcome' said: "Rochdale, along with other North West towns, has been hit hard by cuts to jobs and services, wages and living standards and funding for the caring services, resulting in increased struggles for many people.

“The aim of the ‘We Shall Overcome’ gig was for musicians to show opposition to the cuts and help people at the sharp end of poverty in the borough. The gig sold-out and many people kindly made extra donations to the cause. It was a great night".