FOREVERMANCHESTER.COM
march 2015
ON FOR GREATER MANCHESTER
FOREVER MANCHESTER'S FANZINE FOR PEOPLE WITH A PASSI
IN THIS
ISSUE
Page 2
A big fat thanks
On Friday 20th February 2015, 400 Greater Mancunians
gathered at the world class Midland Hotel in the centre
of Manchester to celebrate 25 years of Forever Manchester.
to our birthday
It was, and if you were there I hope you
agree, a fantastic night, filled with passion,
laughter and tears, just like all the best
birthday parties you’ve ever been to.
Page 3
Now at the risk of sounding blindingly obvious,
and a bit like Swiss Tony, a birthday party
is a celebration of the anniversary of the
birth of the person who is being honoured,
and so, in the build up to the event as I was
preparing a few words of welcome for our
guests, I started thinking about Forever
Manchester as a person. A person with 25
years of experience, with stories to tell and
a whole life ahead of them. And you know,
dear friends, with these thoughts in mind I
came to think that Forever Manchester is, in
many ways, like a beautiful woman.
sponsors
manchester
arena are FM
Page 4-5
£38,000 raised
celebrating
25 years of fm
Page 6
forever manchester
award winners
Page 7
moston and
harpurhey
She is compassionate, caring and kind.
She is passionate, thoughtful, modern and
original. She is Forever Manchester and she
likes a party and boy did she enjoy this one.
With so many of our friends and supporters
in the room, the event was buzzing from
start to finish and with guests from all
different walks of life represented, it felt
like a thriving community in its own right.
People from community projects locked
in conversation with representatives from
some of the world’s leading global brands
and Manchester’s finest businesses, young
people chatting with older people, amazing
performances from the unsung heroes in
our community, MAD Theatre Company and
the Autistic Superstars and united emotions
throughout the evening culminating in a
thrilling performance of Silver Sparks, our
25th Anniversary poem; a poem crafted and
delivered by our masterful poet in residence
Tony Walsh in honour of our beautiful
birthday girl.
And throughout the evening Forever
Manchester’s words and thoughts rang out
through the room; her belief in the unlimited
potential of ordinary people, her belief that
everyone has skills talents and assets and
the recognition that this is the place where
we all live, work and play, that there is no
us and them, only us.
And so, with huge thanks to the brilliant
businesses who helped fund the evening
and to the incredible team of staff and
volunteers who helped run the evening,
we raised a glass to the birthday girl.
She is Forever Manchester, and just like us
she was born here, raised here, educated
here, she has partied here, she loves the
music, the football, the culture, the history,
the rain and most of all she loves the people.
Happy Birthday Forever Manchester!
HIEF EXEC
C
Y
E
S
S
A
M
K
C
I
NTwitter @MasseyManc
ity to say a huge thank you to all of the
Forever Manchester would like to take this opportun
Hotel on 20th February.
sponsors at our 25th Birthday held at The Midland
tains to create an incredible night which involved our
If you were there, you’ll know we really moved moun
d, staff, volunteers, Ambassadors and everyone else
supporters, corporate partners, community groups we funde
in between.
d like to thank the many hotels, restaurants
We had some excellent raffle prizes on offer and woul
and businesses who donated prizes to us.
supported and sponsored our 25th birthday
Huge thanks goes to the following companies, who
and helped it to make it the success that it was:
Metronet – Headline Sponsor
Havas Lynx – Photobooth Sponsor
Kyocera – Programme Sponsor
The Faculty of Humanities, Languages and Social
Sciencese at Manchester Met – Ticketing Sponsor
Brooks MacDonald – Fundraiser of the Year Award Sponsor
CDL – Inspirational Community Group Award Sponsor
Vista Employer Services Ltd. – Captain Manchester
Award Sponsor
Weber Shandwick – Corporate Supporter of the
Year Sponsor
Kellogg’s – Lifetime Achievement Award 2015 Sponsor
Beever and Struthers – Twitter Wall Sponsor
Voicescape – Compere (Archie Kelly) Sponsor
Online Ventures Group – Audio/Visual Sponsor
Motion Digital – Event Video Sponsor
Eventbrite – Online Ticketing Service Provider
Giraffe Event Solutions – Centre Piece creators
and helpers on the day
Bow So Sweet – Creator of our fantastic birthday cake
Hard Rock Cafe – For donating two raffle prizes
and allowing Jack Barton to be Captain Manchester
The Midland Hotel – For incredible service throughout the
night and great customer service in the build up to the event
Drumbeat Creative – Designers of all of our Marketing tools
such as the programme, tickets, presentation and more
Drop Dead Chocolates – Donators of the chocolates, which
accompanied the coffees on the night and a raffle prize
ver Manchester it was a first.
For many, silver signifies second, for Fore
foundation.
Reaching the important milestone of 25 years since its
, the famous first meeting place of Mr
Forever Manchester at The Midland Hotel
of
party
of
y
ersar
anniv
r
silve
the
Attending
together its constituent parts in terms
where Forever Manchester chose to bring
Rolls and Mr Royce, it was also the place
tant partnerships to celebrate.
supporters, beneficiaries and other impor
cause, not the
support this charity. For them, it's the
, it struck me what a force of people
others,
for
mes
outco
e
chang
to
y
Looking around the room on the night
energ
and
their time, their money, their skills
g
givin
nally
ditio
Uncon
s.
count
applause, that
ester.
here on their doorstep in Greater Manch
ip with the
al in bringing to life our relationsh
from Brother UK, people who are pivot
improve in the
we
us,
d
aroun
those
ve
Sitting among a table of my colleagues
impro
and
bit
sophy, they see what I see, we do our
s people.
charity aligned to our citizenship philo
total sense for any business who value
makes
It
nity.
commu
work
a
as
and
long term as a business
tial.
Manchester, its people, history and poten
'Silver Sparks' poem about Forever
moment the enormity of
that
In
rs.
Resident poet, Tony Walsh recited his
ssado
Amba
and
rters
of some of the most active suppo
I could see tears rolling down the faces
years came vibrantly to life.
25
its
in
made
has
ty
chari
the impact the
Donors.
The individuals. The Ambassadors. The
. They are the people. The businesses.
meant
words
those
what
knew
all
They
nity called Greater Manchester.
The Sponsors. The Fundraisers. The commu
in readiness for the next 25 years,
that have already RESET their clocks
ons
isati
organ
and
e
peopl
d
htene
They are the enlig
s it serves.
Forever Manchester and the communitie
which promises to be a golden time for
tantly, you can
we make giving easy and more impor
people too? Engaging with us is easy,
rted.
suppo
get
that
cts
Would you like you to be one of those
proje
ng
amazi
the
rence you can make by visiting some of
see with your own eyes what a diffe
Tweet Us. We'll be in touch.
Take some action. Call us. Write to Us.
2
Telephone: Twitter: Email: 0161 214 0940
@4EVERManchester
[email protected]
the
Manchester Arena donated 100 tickets for us to give to ter
stand out stars we’ve met in the communities across Grea
nds
Manchester to attend The X Factor Live Tour with frie
and family on Friday 20th February.
In 2015, Manchester Arena are celebrating their
20th Birthday, and they have chosen Forever
Manchester as one of their Charities of the Year.
The Arena have offered us many perks as their
Charity of the Year for 2015, including the opportunity
to collect at the Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds,
Take That and Simply Red gigs this year, which
will hopefully bring in a great income.
Our branding is also visible throughout the Arena,
using their hashtag #WeAreManchester, which fits
perfectly with our ethos and what we’re about. It’s
a great privilege to be chosen by Manchester Arena
in their 20th anniversary year and we hope to raise
some great funds with this opportunity.
As part of this commitment, the Arena offered 100
tickets for The X Factor Live Tour for us to award to
community groups across Greater Manchester.
We were pleased to award tickets to pupils who
took part in our Cool 2 B Kind programme delivered
in primary schools in Oldham by our Community
Builders.
The tickets were awarded in assemblies to the
pupils with the most improved behaviour since the
Cool 2 B Kind programme ended.
Teachers at Alt Primary School and Stoneleigh
Academy in Oldham surprised pupils with the
tickets for themselves and an adult to take them to
Manchester Arena on Friday 20th February.
As well as these schools, tickets were awarded to
a number of community groups across Greater
Manchester to celebrate their involvement in their
communities and reward them.
The groups were all given their own section in the
Arena taking up a whole chunk of it and had a ball.
Forever Manchester is thankful to Manchester
Arena for allowing us to gift these tickets to the
people in our communities that support people in
their areas who want to do extraordinary things
together.
The kind donation of these tickets allowed these
individuals to have a great night and let their hair
down.
We’re looking forward to the year ahead and hope
this relationship will be the start of great things
with Manchester Arena.
3
y
r a rock, you’ll know that Frida
de
un
ing
hid
en
be
e
u’v
yo
s
les
Un
celebration at The Midland
ay
thd
bir
th
25
r
ou
s
wa
ry
ua
br
20th Fe
Hotel in Manchester.
porters
vidual in the
A great night was had by every indi
supporters,
our
of
ety
vari
room, which included a
Mr Captain
and
f
staf
rs,
ntee
community groups, volu
papped
ing
gett
rn,
retu
a
e
Manchester himself mad
our
ing
help
and
es
with most of our attende
compere, Archie Kelly.
h a glass of
Guests were greeted on arrival wit
e from Affinity
champagne and a great performanc
cunian anthems
Show Choir, who were singing Man
of the evening.
to get our supporters in the spirit
liantly passionate
The night then opened with a bril
c, Nick Massey,
Exe
ef
Chi
and emotional speech from
ster’s journey and
who spoke about Forever Manche
ver Manchester
Fore
–
(yep
what “she” meant to him
sey).
Mas
Mr
by
lady
has been Christened a
4
ster sup
Nearly 400 proud Forever Manche
ater Manchester
Gre
a
ying
enjo
t,
nigh
the
turned up on
rtainment from
themed three-course meal and ente
y and Autistic
local talent MaD Theatre Compan
Finn.
Superstars Carly Ryan and Martin
h Birthday, MaD
After their performance at our 25t
g £1 from each
atin
don
ly
Theatre Company are kind
‘Gin and
,
tion
duc
pro
ticket sold for their latest
and 25th June.
h
24t
on
Chronic Arthritis’ at Bury Met
Tunafish Media
A video, brilliantly put together by
video really
got the entertainment going. The
what we’re all
illustrated our key messages and
, which is the
about here at Forever Manchester
anchester.com
people. This can be seen at foreverm
we’d strongly
If you haven’t already seen this,
we do what we
recommend it, it really outlines why
do every single day.
Autistic Superstar, Carly Ryan also brought
both men and women to tears with her fabul
ous
rendition of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’
on
the evening.
Our raffle and silent auction alone brought in
over £2,000, with a signed Manchester United
and Manchester City shirt on offer as well as
Mike Joyce of The Smith’s drumsticks and
other great Mancunian prizes.
As well as this, an excellent DJ set from Dave
Haslam of Hacienda fame closed the evening,
playing a great eclectic mix of tunes to get
everyone on the dancefloor.
Our compere, Archie Kelly aka Kenny Dalglish
Snr. had the room in fits of laughter throughou
t
the evening with his Northern wit and brilli
ant
presence on the stage.
We also had an awards ceremony, recognisin
g
individuals, groups and businesses for the hard
work they do to keep Forever Manchester
going. See page 6.
Our Poet in Residence, Tony Walsh closed the on-stage
entertainment with a great rendition of ‘Silver Sparks’, a
poem he wrote for us in celebration of our 25th year. His
performance was finished with a great display of glitter
across the room, which can be seen behind this article.
The glitter and confetti fired out of the cannons illustrated
the ‘silver sparks’ that flow through Manchester, and the
work that Forever Manchester does.
Our Twitter feed exploded during and after Tony’s
performance, which brought people to tears with the
passion and pride that was felt for Greater Manchester
and Forever Manchester’s work in the region.
Tweets included:
AV on the
Paul Yates, Founder of OVG, sponsors of the
ibly the
poss
ter,
night: “Thank you Forever Manches
I can
all
is
al
ption
best night I have had in years. Exce
t”
grea
so
g
ethin
say, honoured to be part of som
ort:
Challenge4Change, a community group we supp
t
nigh
t
grea
a
for
ter
ches
Man
ver
“Thanks to Fore
of
ort
supp
ing
ongo
their
last night and for
Challenge4Change. Happy Birthday.”
erson:
Forever Manchester Ambassador, Michael Hend
years
25
ter.
ches
“Awesome evening Forever Man
and still looking awesome!”
nix
Archie Kelly, Compere of the evening and Phoe
to
you
k
than
huge
“A
Snr.
lish
Nights’ Kenny Dalg
the
to
me
ing
invit
for
ter
Forever Manches
le.
wonderful 25th birthday bash. Lovely peop
.”
work
Keep up the good
Nick Massey, Chief Exec said: “I am very prou
d
of our team and thankful to everyone who
helped to make our 25th birthday the great
success it was. We all worked hard to celebrate
what Forever Manchester is all about.
“Forever Manchester is all about the people
of
this great city and I think we illustrated that
on the night. It was a real celebration that I
enjoyed and I think everyone else did. The
whole Forever Manchester team was there to
celebrate a culmination of 25 years of hard
work to get us to where we are today.”
A great night was had by all on the night and
we’d like to thank everyone involved, whether
you attended, or helped to make the night the
success it was, we thank you from the botto
m
of our hearts for making our Silver Anniversa
ry
so special. It was a real honour to be involved.
In total, the night raised an incredible £38,000.
Ever y penny will be invested back into
communities across Greater Manchester. Thes
e
areas will be the communities that each and
every one of you work, play or live, which we
are over the moon about.
If you were papped by our photographer
or our photobooth on the night head to
facebook.com/ForeverManchester to have
a nosey (or laugh) at them to bring back some
great memories.
Due to the phenomenal success of our 25th
birthday, we’re already planning one for next
year, so keep your eyes peeled, as it’s sure to
be another sell out!
Here’s to the next 25 years!
5
t
Our 25th birthday on 20th February saw a grea
gnised
awards ceremony, which celebrated and reco
k year
the people who help us to continue our wor
night.
on year. Five awards were given out on the
gs
We were pleased to award the following gon
to these supporters:
MacDonald
Fundraiser of the Year sponsored by Brooks
assador and the
Amb
r
Andrew Trott-Barn is a Forever Mancheste
Mirror Ball. As
The
t,
even
creator of Forever Manchester’s biggest
Halloween
the
t,
even
r
well as this Andrew has started its siste
in 2014
065
£73,
d
Spooktacular. Together these events raise
selling out
th,
mon
this
alone, with 2015’s Mirror Ball coming up
six months in advance.
sored by CDL
Inspirational Community Group Award spon
Wigan area.
the
in
olds
year
5
14-2
Fix It UK, works with
r choices and
Their aim is to improve the life chances, caree
by doing
learn
to
r
prefe
who
le
peop
opportunities of young
training, eventually
things. They offer life skills and car mechanic
fication.
giving them a Motor Industry recognised quali
Vista Employer
Captain Manchester Award sponsored by
6
Services Ltd.
dor who, in 2014
Dave Foran is a Forever Manchester Ambassa
up Manchester
set
created the Forever Manchester beer. Dave
ide a platform
prov
to
d
Radio Online, a radio station establishe
s, which at the
show
for ordinary people to host their own radio
been involved
also
has
same time offers help and support. Dave
ing Captain
bring
ding
inclu
in key events with Forever Manchester
helping at
and
Run
s
Manchester to life, launching the Backward
year.
last
the charity auction at the Corn Exchange
sored by
Corporate Supporter of the Year Award spon
Weber Shandwick
ways throughout
CDL supported Forever Manchester in various
, sponsored the
2014. They are a Manchester Million supporter
25th birthday,
Inspirational Community Group Award at our
with Forever
fund
a
have
also
they
and
r
took part in Caketobe
Stockport.
Manchester to support community groups in
Award sponsored
Forever Manchester’s Lifetime Achievement
by Kellogg’s
ved with Forever
Harry Alldritt from Middleton has been invol
e volunteer in his
activ
an
Manchester for over a decade and been
thing of a local
some
him
local community for far longer making
celebrity.
still goes out of his
As well as doing a lot for his community, he
r.
way to support us, here at Forever Mancheste
offices on more
He has also helped Forever Manchester to move
unity, his
comm
his
thes
than one occasion. Harry lives and brea
rs. He
othe
ing
help
and
passion is simply meeting new people
his
ing
help
tarily
volun
spends approximately 50 hours a week
local community.
Moston and Harpurhey are one of fourteen
communities across the UK that have
been selected to receive a minimum of
£200,000 in funding over three years
to increase community participation and
improve wellbeing.
t of 2012,
Fourteen is a £3.5m programme funded by Spiri
ect events
a charity set up by the Big Lottery Fund to conn
as Glasgow
to communities across the country. Events such
ty to
abili
their
in
le
rkab
2014 and London 2012 are rema
er
pow
the
ugh
bring people together: inspiring pride thro
of participation.
will be delivered
The investment into Moston and Harpurhey
and managed by Forever Manchester.
ter will create
Together with Spirit of 2012, Forever Manches
happiness.
a legacy, which will improve wellbeing and
de how the
Residents of Moston and Harpurhey will deci
t.
spen
£200,000 community investment will be
ity will decide
Fourteen is community led and each commun
tion in one or
themselves how they want to increase participa
more of the following activities:
• Social action and volunteering
• Grass roots sport and physical activity
• Culture activity and the arts
ment
• Youth leadership and personal develop
communities this
Our Community Builders are going out into the
and Harpurhey to
month to speak with the residents of Moston
who can join the Local
le
begin putting together and identifying peop
s priorities and grantReference Group – this group will help to focu
the Fourteen programme.
making for the local area within the terms of
team on a regular basis
The Local Reference Group will meet with our
e in December 2017,
(3-4 times a year) until the end of this programm
ing decisions in the
and will support Forever Manchester with fund
teen.
context of the Community Plan in place for Four
ramme in Moston
For further information about the Fourteen prog
0161 214 0940.
and Harpurhey, please contact our office on
moston
harpurhey
7
There will be a full 18 holes of golf on the day with corporate
supporters and general donors who support our work teeing
against one another.
If you are interested in signing up a team head to
forevermanchester.com/golfday to sign up.
#HardRockRising
Hard Rock Cafe are hosting the North
West region's #HardRockRising
and will be supporting us. Chief Exec
Nick Massey will be a guest judge.
For the fifth straight year, Hard Rock
continues its commitment to aspiring
musicians by holding a worldwide search
for talented bands to showcase on its
international stage.
Every Thursday in March from 8pm sees
three heats and then a Regional Finale.
LIVE AT 2PM EVERY
WEDNESDAY
at www.ldok.net
Tune into the 2 hour online radio
show dedicated to everything
Forever Manchester.
The show is hosted by Terry Day
who has been around the world of
radio, music and general entertainment
for Yonks! Each week Terry is joined
by a special guest Forever Manchester
supporter. Expect lots of chat, laughs
and Manchester tunes.
ounted
Forever Manchester are offering disc
chester
Man
at
Gre
5
charity places for the 201
.
May
10th
day
Sun
10K Run to be held on
re’ and raise
If you would like ‘Run for Round’e
help to support
money for Forever Manchester to
Manchester,
community projects across Greater
places fill up.
sign up now before our discounted
ted sign-up
We are currently offering a discoun
fee of £25.
ctly on the
(Standard fee is £38 if booked dire
Great Run website)
gs Award
Captain Manchester’s Cool Runnin
that raises
s
ines
bus
is also up for grabs to the
, head to
this
on
tion
rma
the most cash. For info
tion
peti
-com
10k
forevermanchester.com/
to raise over
Last year over 100 runners helped
this year
£10,000 for Forever Manchester and
t to be
wan
we hope to raise even more. If you
head to
,
this
do
one of the runners that helps us
10k
forevermanchester.com/manchester
our discounted
Please note: By registering with
minimum of
a
e
rais
to
rate you are committing
£150 in sponsorship.
The live show is broadcast every
Wednesday between 2pm and 4pm
and is repeated on Sunday’s at 2pm
and Tuesday’s at 7pm.
Tune into at www.ldok.net
Prestwich Beer Festival, a 3-day event for beer and
foodie lovers alike, have chosen Forever Manchester
as their charity partner.
Held at The Longfield Suite in The Longfield Centre
Thursday 26th-Saturday 28th March, the festival
will also be selling our buzzing honey beer! For more
information head to forevermanchester.com/beerfestival
GET IN TOUCH
Visit: www.forevermanchester.com
Call: 0161 214 0940
Email: [email protected]
Registered Charity No. 1017504
@4EVERManchester
forevermanchester
Forever Manchester
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