Paul McCartney donates 3 million pounds to make his late father’s dream a reality — building a shelter for homeless teens in Liverpool, England, as a tribute to his father, James McCartney, and the hometown that shaped his life

In a heartwarming act of generosity, music legend Paul McCartney has donated £3 million to build a new shelter for homeless teenagers in Liverpool, fulfilling a dream his late father, James McCartney, once shared with him when he was a boy. The shelter, set to open next year, will offer not only beds and meals, but also counseling, education, and job training programs designed to help vulnerable teens build better futures.

Paul announced the donation in a rare personal statement, explaining how his father’s lifelong compassion for struggling youth inspired him to act.

“My dad often told me stories of kids he’d see sleeping rough on the streets of Liverpool,” Paul shared. “He’d say, ‘One day, if we can, we should give them a place to feel safe and loved.’ I’ve carried those words with me my whole life.”

The new facility, to be named The James McCartney Center for Hope, will stand in the heart of Liverpool — just blocks away from Paul’s childhood home on Forthlin Road. Designed with modern dormitories, a community kitchen, classrooms, and counseling offices, the center will provide support for up to 100 teens at a time.

Liverpool city officials praised Paul’s extraordinary commitment. Mayor Joanne Anderson said:

“Paul McCartney has never forgotten his roots. His gift is more than money — it’s hope for some of our most vulnerable young people.”

Local charities also welcomed the initiative, noting that homelessness among youth has reached crisis levels in Liverpool and across the UK. According to Shelter UK, more than 120,000 young people are at risk of homelessness each year in England alone.

“This center will change lives,” said Michael O’Donnell, director of Liverpool Youth Outreach. “To have a global icon like Paul McCartney step up and say, ‘You matter,’ will mean everything to these kids.”

The project has been in the planning stages for nearly a year, but Paul insisted on keeping it quiet until every detail was in place. Groundbreaking is set for early next month, with completion expected by late next year. Paul’s team confirmed he plans to attend the opening ceremony and personally meet the first group of teens who will call the center home.

Family members say Paul was inspired to accelerate the project after reflecting on his father’s legacy during the pandemic, when he revisited old family letters and recordings.

“James McCartney was a quiet man with a big heart,” Paul said. “He taught me that our hometown isn’t just where we’re from — it’s who we are.”

Paul’s late father, known affectionately as Jim, worked as a cotton salesman and played piano in local jazz bands. He raised Paul and his brother Michael after their mother died when Paul was just 14. Friends and biographers have long noted how Jim’s kindness, work ethic, and musical passion profoundly shaped Paul’s life.

Paul’s own rise to stardom with The Beatles took him far from Liverpool, but he has returned often, supporting local causes and preserving the city’s cultural heritage. In recent years, he’s helped fund music programs at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), which he co-founded in the 1990s.

“Paul has always been Liverpool’s son,” said Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn. “This gift is proof that even after all he’s achieved, his heart is still here.”

News of Paul’s donation has inspired a wave of support online, with hashtags like #ThankYouPaul and #HopeForLiverpool trending across social media platforms. Fans from around the world shared stories of how Paul’s music helped them through hard times, saying it’s fitting that he’s now helping others find stability.

Messages of thanks came from fellow artists, too. Elton John tweeted: “Paul’s generosity knows no bounds. The world needs more of this love.” Meanwhile, Ed Sheeran wrote: “Liverpool raised a legend — and now he’s giving back in the most beautiful way.”

Construction plans for the James McCartney Center for Hope include a mural celebrating Paul’s father, as well as a recording studio where teens can learn music production. Paul’s team says he hopes the center will become a place where young people can find not just shelter, but purpose.

Paul concluded his announcement with a powerful message:

“I’ve been blessed with more than I ever dreamed. But the greatest blessing is to use what we’ve been given to lift others. This is for my dad. This is for Liverpool. And this is for every kid who deserves a chance.”