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| Members of Double Six Youth Club thank Gary Stoddart |
The future of a 50-year-old Sheffield youth club has been secured thanks to one of its previous members.
Double Six Youth Club in Woodseats found its existence threatened after receiving a £6,000 gas bill and orders to install a new boiler.
Despite the club launching a fundraising campaign, the costs were too high and staff prepared themselves to close the doors on the club’s 120 members.
However, a previous Double Six member was on hand to help, Gary Stoddart, 45, was on his way home from work when something caught his eye.
“I was just walking by when I saw a banner saying how all their fundraising proceeds would go towards their boiler appeal,” said Gary, “I knew straight away that I had to do something."
As the general manager of West Midlands based boiler company SenerTec, Gary told his team about the club’s appeal and they all agreed to help out.
This meant the youth club could put the donations they had already received towards buying new equipment for its members.
Based in an old Methodist Church, the club was established in 1966 but was opened in 1968 by singer Frankie Vaughan.
Gary was there to see the ribbon be cut and has years of fond memories from the club.
“It was great to be able to get off the streets and to hang around with my friends somewhere warm,” said Gary, “I think I still hold the high score on the pinball machine.”
Richard Hay, youth worker in charge of the club, said that Gary and SenerTec were their saving grace.
Double Six Youth Club in Woodseats found its existence threatened after receiving a £6,000 gas bill and orders to install a new boiler.
Despite the club launching a fundraising campaign, the costs were too high and staff prepared themselves to close the doors on the club’s 120 members.
However, a previous Double Six member was on hand to help, Gary Stoddart, 45, was on his way home from work when something caught his eye.
“I was just walking by when I saw a banner saying how all their fundraising proceeds would go towards their boiler appeal,” said Gary, “I knew straight away that I had to do something."
As the general manager of West Midlands based boiler company SenerTec, Gary told his team about the club’s appeal and they all agreed to help out.
Gary said: “We’re a company who pride ourselves on helping good causes, so we donated a new boiler and water heating system to the club.”
The new system has a value of over £7,500 and was fitted by the company themselves.
The new system has a value of over £7,500 and was fitted by the company themselves.
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| Youth Worker Richard Hay (L) with Gary Stoddart (R) |
This meant the youth club could put the donations they had already received towards buying new equipment for its members.
Based in an old Methodist Church, the club was established in 1966 but was opened in 1968 by singer Frankie Vaughan.
Gary was there to see the ribbon be cut and has years of fond memories from the club.
“It was great to be able to get off the streets and to hang around with my friends somewhere warm,” said Gary, “I think I still hold the high score on the pinball machine.”
Richard Hay, youth worker in charge of the club, said that Gary and SenerTec were their saving grace.
“We found ourselves in deep financial trouble. We’re beyond grateful to them. If it wasn’t for their generosity, we would never have made it to our 50th anniversary.”
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