Local businesses, musicians and community groups across Wigan and Leigh have come together over the past year to raise thousands of pounds for The Brick, the Wigan-based charity supporting people facing homelessness, poverty and hardship.
Among those leading the way is Plumbase, whose Wigan branch has reaffirmed its commitment to The Brick as its chosen charity, organising a range of fundraising and donation initiatives designed to support the most vulnerable people in the borough.
Catherine Bradbury, Senior Sales at Plumbase, said: “We have decided to keep The Brick as our continued charity because it is our community. The majority of the staff are all from Wigan and it literally could be any of us in those situations that so many people and families find themselves in. It’s such a horrible thought that so many people struggle to feed themselves, especially in this day and age.”
Over the past year, the team at Plumbase organised a charity car wash, two trade week fundraising events involving supplier support, as well as raffles and tombola’s, with suppliers also making donations directly to The Brick. Alongside fundraising, the branch also coordinated food and essential donations, including tea, coffee and Christmas items, helping families who would otherwise go without.
Catherine concluded: “It’s important for us to support The Brick, especially through the cold winter months. Even if we helped just one person, that’s one person with something more than nothing.”
Alongside business fundraising, local musicians and venues have played a huge role in supporting The Brick, led by a grassroots busking initiative that began in 2017 and was reignited in 2024. What started as a single busker outside the Galleries quickly grew into a borough-wide effort involving dozens of musicians and venues.
Lawrence Hoy, one of the organisers of The Buskers, said: “I started fundraising for the homeless in 2017, and as soon as my musician friends heard about it, they joined me. This year it just grew and grew; musicians turning up unprompted, venues opening their doors, and people giving whatever they could.”
Local venues across Wigan and Leigh have supported the cause by hosting performances and donating fees, and local schools joined in, with fundraising taking place at a Christmas carol concert at Sacred Heart School.
“Money is tight for everyone, but the generosity of ordinary people has been incredible,” lawrence added. “When we added everything up and realised we’d raised £6,000, we were completely flabbergasted. This has never been about one person, it’s been a real team effort, and I’m eternally grateful to every musician, venue and supporter.”
Keely Dalfen, CEO of The Brick, praised the collective effort: “The support we receive from local businesses, musicians and residents across Wigan and Leigh is nothing short of extraordinary. Fundraising like this helps us provide food, warmth, advice and hope to people when they need it most. On behalf of everyone at The Brick, I want to say a heartfelt thank you, these efforts genuinely change lives.”
With new fundraising ideas already in the pipeline at Plumbase and further performances planned across the borough in 2026, local supporters are determined to continue backing The Brick and the vital work it does for the community.
If you, your organisation or business could support The Brick please email jane.webb@thebrick.org.uk
