The Will to help21
Star boosts area where he grew up
ACTOR Will Mellor is volunteering with young people and struggling families near where he grew up.
The star began giving his time to The Cherry Tree Project this year, after feeling far too many people are being let down by the Government.
Will, who competed in Strictly last year, said the project in Romiley in the borough of Stockport, Greater Manchester, helps “families who can’t afford to feed their kids”.
And he presented a Pride of Manchester Award to Florence Coke on Wednesday night, thanking her for providing free meals to scores of hungry schoolchildren during holidays.
Will, 47, told the star-studded audience: “If the Government won’t feed them, she will.”
Talking backstage alongside Florence and Manchester United footballer Harry Maguire, Will spoke about doing his bit to help those in poverty. He said Florence “represents exactly what community is”.
Will added: “I come from that working class community. When you’ve got people like [Florence] in your community it helps you get through.
“It puts a smile on your face and makes you forget about your problems for five minutes, because you don’t have to worry about your meals or bills. When I grew up there were always people who helped out where they could and that’s what we need in communities – people like this lady.”
He warned: “The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.” Will, who starred in shows such as Corrie, Hollyoaks, and Broadchurch, added: “Me and Harry are very lucky. We do a job that we do, but we all come from a place where we help each other out. This lady is standing tall above everyone. We all need to follow her example.” Will said he got involved with The Cherry Tree Project because he realised he wasn’t “reaching back” to where he grew up. He added: “I was doing charity work but I needed to go back to where I came from and see what’s going on, and there’s a problem. “What’s going on now is only going to get worse so it’s important if I’ve got a platform, I use it wisely and that’s in my community and to those who need it most. And who needs it the most? People without government funding. We have to replace what the Government is lacking.”
Will said the support is needed to help people “get through each day”.
He added: “It doesn’t matter... where you come from. Just help each other out. There’s no us and them.”
The Pride of Manchester Awards with TSB, a regional version of the Mirror’s Pride of Britain, were hosted by actress and TV presenter Kym Marsh.
I’m a Celebrity South Africa campmates, singer Shaun Ryder and actress Helen Flanagan, were among the other stars who attended the event at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester city centre.
They were joined by Strictly dancers Janette Manrara and Aljaz Skorjanec, who are expecting a child together.
I had to go back to where I came from to see what’s going on – and there’s a problem
WILL MELLOR ON VOLUNTEERING IN THE AREA WHERE HE USED TO LIVE