Help fund the anti-austerity fightback!

    As Spanish youth ask: ‘Where’s our Bale-out?’

    Help fund the anti-austerity fightback!

    Ken Douglas, Socialist Party national treasurer

    The sports pages have been full of the news of the transfer of footballer Gareth Bale to Real Madrid for £85 million and that he is set to earn £250,000 a week there, an obscene amount – especially given there is 50% unemployment in Spain among young people.

    Just one tenth of one week of Gareth’s wages represents the quarterly fighting fund target of £25,000 which our members are aiming to reach by the end of September.

    This will ensure that the Socialist Party continues to have the funds it needs to campaign for a 24-hour general strike against austerity and cuts.

    With £9,180 raised so far that means that there is still over £15,000 to go.

    Our efforts were boosted by the over £800 that was donated to the finance appeal at the main rally at summer camp over the August bank holiday weekend. As the rain hammered down on the marquee, campers strained to hear the appeal but that didn’t affect the amount raised!

    Over the holiday period, Socialist Party branches have been holding fundraising social events. Sheffield South branch raised £89 at a local community festival, selling plants, books and DVDs.

    South Tyne and Wear branch raised £72 with a curry night – no less than seven different curries were on offer and there was even a takeaway service for those who could not stay!

    Continuing the curry theme, East London branch raised over £100 holding a clothes party and selling vegetarian curries and have a barbecue planned before the good weather changes.

    Socialist Party branches have also been working hard campaigning in the town centres on the vital issues affecting working class people.

    Andrew Smith reports that members in Grimsby raised over £30 campaigning against the bedroom tax and the attacks on disability benefits.

    In Waltham Forest over £70 was raised campaigning against cuts to Whipps Cross Hospital and building for a local demo.

    With four weeks to go, branches need to ensure that they are on course to reach their targets. The Socialist Party relies on the financial support of ordinary working class people via the fundraising of our branches.

    You can help by making a donation or by raising some money with a social event, raffle or other fundraiser.

    You can donate at www.socialistparty.org.uk/donate or by telephoning 020 8988 8777.