The drummer in Scots rock band Gun has donated £130,000 to Scottish Labour after being impressed with the party leadership.
Paul McManus said his life changed when his grand-daughter was born and he wants to give young people more chances in life.
“I want a fair society without the current politics of division, and with particular focus on the quality of education and genuine opportunities for our young,” he said.
Anas Sarwar took over as Scottish Labour leader last year and ordered an overhaul of the party’s fundraising operation.
It was claimed the Scottish party had raised just £250 in a full year under Richard Leonard’s leadership.
The latest round of financial contributions, released by the Electoral Commission, shows that Scottish Labour received £317,715 in donations in the second quarter of this year.
McManus, who has a range of business interests including ownership of Lanark-based Cloburn Quarry, provided £30,000 ahead of the council election.
He has since donated another £100,000 to the party.
The rocker, who grew up in a council house, explained the donations to the Record: “My life changed completely last year and my whole attitude to work, to everything flipped. I had been thinking about slowing down a little on the work front and then my grand-daughter was born.
“That wee girl really brought home to me what’s important – there are kids just like her all over Scotland who go to bed hungry, cold, or don’t even have a bed to go to. That is heart-breaking and it’s something we all need to address.
“She lit a spark in me – I want her to have everything she dreams of in life, to know she can be anything she wants to be. But the big thing is, I want that for all kids.
“I want those opportunities to be there for every child, not just those born to privileged families.
“So I am going to do all I can to try and make the world – and first and foremost Scotland – a better, fairer place for all children and young people. She has made me see what is really important and for that I can never thank her enough.”
He added: “I see no viable future for our children and grandchildren under the present administrations in Edinburgh and Westminster.
“I have been very impressed with the performance and most of the policies of both Anas Sarwar and Keir Starmer (particularly Anas) and thus wish to help to enable them to at least get a shot at ‘making a difference’ in this country.”
Gun have released seven studio albums, three of which made the UK Top 20 and they enjoyed eight Top 40 singles.
Their biggest hit was a cover of Cameo’s ‘Word Up!’, which broke into the Top 10. They have also supported the Rolling Stones and are touring later in the year.
As well as owning Cloburn, McManus has a management and record company, which develops up-and-coming acts and gives them free access to a recording studio.
His donation is part of the £1m Sarwar said had been raised since he became leader.
As revealed by the Record, Scottish Labour also received £200,000 from Dusty TLP Ltd, parent firm of gas generator systems company Peak Scientific.
A Scottish Labour spokesperson said: “Scottish Labour, under Anas Sarwar’s leadership, is re-building as a serious political force that can challenge for power and change lives.
“Every day, more and more people are realising that Scottish Labour is a viable alternative to the SNP and the Tories and are supporting our work so that we can change lives.
“It’s all too clear that the SNP are out of rhythm with the people of Scotland – so it’s no wonder people like Paul McManus can see that Labour is ready to turn it up to 11.”
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