Sam Thompson, known for his role in the reality TV series Made in Chelsea, has added his support to a campaign aimed at rescuing a historic working men's club in Wales. The Tumble Workingmen's Club in Carmarthenshire, which has stood for over 133 years, is at risk of closing due to increasing costs.
Thompson, who won I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in a previous season, has pledged to donate to the fund and shared a video on the "Save the Workies" Instagram account. In the video, he waves to the camera and says: "Hello, Sam Thompson here. A lot of you probably don't know who I am but I would love for us to save Tumble Workies. It's been created by the coal miners. I'm not even Welsh, I'm English but for me it's a bit of heritage and you never want to get rid of heritage."
He continues: "So yeah, a little video from me saying please save Tumble Workies. I'm going to donate myself. Have a wonderful day." He then kisses the camera before signing off.
Community Ties
The club was established in 1893 and has been a central part of village life in Tumble for more than a century. However, recent financial struggles have threatened its future. In 2023, the club's energy bill surged from £500 to £2,500 per month, and its energy supply was disconnected due to outstanding debt, forcing it to rely on a diesel generator.
Scott Flear, a 33-year-old businessman from Tumble who is leading the campaign, expressed his gratitude for Thompson's involvement. Speaking to the BBC, Flear said: "I grew up in that village, my grandfather worked down the mines... My mother's a cleaner at the club, my family still go there. When we think about long-term memories, it's important to keep it."
Flear, who met Thompson through his sister, Louise Thompson, also a Made in Chelsea star, hopes the campaign will lead to the creation of a community benefit society to run the club. He said: "It would be disastrous if it goes. Everyone's got a big link to that place."
Building Momentum
Flear said he was thrilled that Thompson had supported the campaign. "He told me he would love to help but didn't think Welsh people would know who he was. We're just building momentum every day," he added.
