Bolton Lads and Girls Club owed up to £10,000 by firm

Bolton Lads and Girls Club used the services of a company called “Good 2 Auction” to raise money at a golf day event earlier this year.

The event managed to raise between £5,000 and £10,000 but the Spa Road-based youth club, which works with youngsters all over the borough, has yet to see a penny of it.

Head of fundraising and communications Kelly McFadden said: “It’s a huge blow because at the minute with things being the way they are with funding, we’re already having to limit the number of young people we’re able to let into the centre in the evenings.

“We’re already in a position where we’re having to turn away some of the young people who come in the evenings so between £5,000 and £10,000 is fundraising that really could have made a huge difference.”

The club provides a range of activities and services (Image: Bolton Lads and Girls Club)

Bolton Lads and Girls Club had arranged for Good 2 Auction to carry out the auction at the Societas Golf Day on May 16 this year.

This event encourages people to come for golfing events and bid in auctions and put themselves forward for prizes.

But despite raising thousands of pounds, none of the money has yet gone to the club which has made several attempts to contact the company and find out what has happened.

Good 2 Auction is still listed as active on Companies House and is apparently based on Over Ross Street in Ross-On-Wye, Herefordshire.

When The Bolton News attempted to contact Good 2 Auction for comment a pre-recorded answer said: “Thank you for calling. Please be advised that Good 2 Auction has ceased trading as of May 21, 2024.”

The company’s website appears to be “parked".

The proceeds were meant to support the club, which traces its history all the way back to 1889 and has helped youngsters all over Bolton ever since.

In July 2022 the club completed its much anticipated move to its current home on Spa Road. 

Bolton Lads and Girls Club provides all kinds of activities and services for young people but depends on people’s support to help it do so.

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Ms McFadden said: “Obviously we’re going to be very careful about working with auction companies like these going forward.”

She added that the club is “very lucky” to have support from across the borough, particularly from donors in the business community.

But it has been left in need of people’s help at times like this more than ever.

Anyone who wishes to support Bolton Lads and Girls Club can go to the donate section of the club’s website.

Bolton Lads and Girls Club has been in touch with Greater Manchester Police.