Star date: 4th March 2016

HOOKY, STEVE EVETS AND GEORGE BOROWSKI ALL OFFER HELP TO OPERATION DETONATION BASSIST

"Both Rhys and myself have been really touched and overwhelmed" Kim Shaw

After 15 year old Operation Detonation bassist, Rhys Shaw, had his bass guitar and music equipment stolen last weekend, offers of help poured in from everyone from legendary bassist, Peter Hook, to top actor Steve Evets, to ace singer songwriter George Borowski.

"Both Rhys and myself have been really touched and overwhelmed" says Rhys's mum, Kim. Now the show will go on, as Operation Detonation play at the Star Inn tomorrow night.

For full details click here...

Last weekend in Broughton, over £1,000 of music equipment, including a bass guitar, was stolen along with a car from outside the house of 15 year old Rhys Shaw, who plays in up and coming Salford band, Operation Detonation, part of the Salford Musical Youth project.

As soon as the article on the theft was published by the Salford Star (see here) people began sharing it on Twitter and Facebook – and offers of help poured in...

Legendary New Order and The Light bassist, Peter Hook, tweeted "Would love to help out - they can borrow a bass from me!", while top actor Steve Evets offered the loan of his semi-acoustic bass. The Salford Music Festival got involved and nudged all its contacts too as Salford (and beyond) once again showed its true spirit.

In the event ace singer songwriter, George Borowski, was first to offer the loan of a bass guitar, and Rhys and his mum, Kim, gratefully accepted the gesture.

"Both Rhys and myself have been really touched and overwhelmed by people coming forward wanting to help out by loaning equipment" says Kim "I was really emotional when I saw how many people had shared the Salford Star post.

"I went to buy Rhys a jack lead today at PMT and one of the guys that works there,  Chris Livesey, gave Rhys one of his own jacks and a tuner from his own belongings" she adds "It's off the cuff helpfulness that amazes me, and how people pull together in a crisis that speaks volumes. You really can't put a price on kindness. We would like to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts and hope some can make it to the Star Inn on Saturday evening."

Thanks to the loan of George's bass, the show will go on tomorrow night at the Star Inn, with Operation Detonation playing a set, following a makeover day at the community owned pub. Also on the bill are Steve Harrold and his five piece folk band, and in demand musician James Holt, who tutors at the Rock It Collective in Bolton.

Meanwhile, another incredibly generous Salford Star reader, who wishes to remain anonymous, has offered Rhys £200 towards the cost of a new guitar...

* For further details of the Star Inn event see the website - click here

Photo shows George Borowski with Rhys and the bass guitar