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It’s a Grin for daily as pop star donates to musical campaign

Chris LoweA pop star has backed his hometown paper’s musical campaign by donating a keyboard to the cause.

Chris Lowe, of Pet Shop Boys fame, has given the instrument to Blackpool-based daily The Gazette’s Give Us A tune appeal, which aims to get more people on its patch taking up music.

Chris, who was born and educated in the town, formed the Pet Shop Boys with singer Neil Tennant in 1981 and played keyboards on number one hits including West End Girls, It’s a Sin and their cover of Always on My Mind.

As previously reported on HTFP, The Gazette launched the campaign in collaboration with local charity the Blackpool Music Academy to urge readers to donate money and old instruments to a new generation of musicians.

Chris told The Gazette: “I’m happy to help a little with this worthwhile project. Very best wishes for the rest of the campaign.”

The keyboard was played by Chris on the band’s 2006/07 tour.

The Gazette’s appeal aims to raise £20,000 to fund new classes as well as 50 donated instruments for the charity.

Senior reporter Gareth Vickers, who is leading the campaign, said: “We’ve had wonderful support so far from famous names from the Blackpool area – including tenor Alfie Boe, singer Little Boots, Radio 1 DJ Danny Howard and up and coming star Rae Morris.

“We were really keen to get the Pet Shop Boys involved as Chris Lowe is also from the Fylde coast.

“Having tried several times to speak to Chris, he amazed us by offering a keyboard he played on during the Pet Shop Boys’ 2006/07 tour.

“It is a fantastic gesture and to get a Brit award-winning pair like the Pet Shop Boys supporting our campaign is a great boost.”