Simon Fanshawe, chair of the Brighton & Hove Economic Partnership, tonight called on the city’s councillors to come together to back Whitehawk’s Crew Club.

Delivering the keynote speech at the Crew Club Showcase in the Brighton Centre, Fanshawe told Councillors Ted Kemble (Conservative, Wish), Vanessa Brown (Labour, Hove Park) and Gill Mitchell (Labour, East Brighton): “You must put your heads together and see if you can help this club survive.”

Earlier, Betsy Brewer, chair of the Crew Club trustees, had told the 200-plus audience of parents, teachers, club workers and volunteers, and representatives of the city’s emergency services, that the calendar date for closure of the club is November – unless it can secure further funding.

Fanshawe praised the “astonishing” achievements of the Club in helping the young children in Whitehawk.

“There is an economic cost to the city if these kids don’t succeed,” he said.

The tenth annual Crew Club Showcase featured a number of musical performances and presentations, including certificates for sports leaders, fashion projects, safety, e2e, homework club and best achievers.

The event was kicked started by EMC Junkies and Ro Ocean who performed a haunting cover of All About Eve’s ‘Martha’s Harbour’. Rapper Tom Sissons performed his own composition ‘Wonderland. The Crew Club Band delivered a barnstorming version of ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ and ‘Brighton’s Got Talent’ finalist Amy Chapman beautifully sang ‘Fields of Gold’ and ‘Wild Horses’.

The audience also watched a video showing the work of the Aiming High charity which provides short break activities for children and young people living with disabilities.

The Crew Club was founded by Lorraine and Darren Snow with the aim of providing a safe place for youngsters to take part in sport and other activities.