LEADING writer David Peace has lent his support to threatened theatre company Red Ladder.

He has allowed the company to buy the theatrical rights to his book The Damned United for just £3.68.

The long-established theatre company lost its National Portfolio Funding – which provides its running costs – in July.

Red Ladder’s proposed stage version of acclaimed football book The Damned United will become the focus of the Save Red Ladder campaign, with the campaign’s £80,000 target paying for the book to be adapted and the play to be produced.

Localgiving, the local charity network and online giving platform, which is supporting Save Red Ladder’s fundraising campaign, has today launched its annual ‘Grow Your Tenner’ match fund.

Save Red Ladder is offering ‘a piece of the play’ to every person who sets up a direct debit to support the theatre company before the end of the Grow Your Tenner campaign.

Visit saveredladder.co.uk for further information.

David Peace said he had received much support and inspiration from Red Ladder over the years, including interest and enthusiasm in his work from Red Ladder leaders Rod Dixon and Chris Lloyd.

He said: “They were so helpful and inspiring when I was writing ‘Red or Dead’. Offering the theatrical rights for ‘The Damned United’ for the minimum amount possible was the very least I could do.”

The campaign’s current total stands at £12,600 towards its £80,000 target.

To help the cause follow @saveredladder, use the #GisATenner hashtag, visit saveredladder.co.uk or donate directly via localgiving.com/redladder.