Legacy fund launched on We Love Mcr day
A FUND has today been launched to provide a lasting legacy to the I Love MCR campaign that has taken over the city in the last two weeks.
Charity Forever Manchester has said that the We Love MCR Fund will kick off with monies donated by Marketing Manchester from the sale of I Love MCR t-shirts.
It is aiming to raise £1m each year with donations from individuals and businesses who want to show their love for Manchester.
The money raised will be used to support local people across Greater Manchester who provide positive, life enhancing things to do in their own neighbourhoods.
Nick Massey of Forever Manchester said: “The most important thing is that this is not just about one day’s celebration or about one night’s mindless looting, it should be forever.
“We must remember it was a small minority of people who got involved in the looting of the City Centre, and we want to make sure it is the local people who are doing amazing things to improve where we live, to give people positive things to do, that are the ones that are recognised and supported moving forward.”
As part of WE Love MCR day, Manchester Arndale has offered two personal shops, including a stylist appointment with its in-house fashion stylist and a gift card worth £125 to spend at Manchester Arndale.
Exchange Square will be the focus of the ‘We Love MCR day’ activity, with performances taking place on stage from 4pm – 6pm, including the Reclaim group performing their Manchester song and a local steel band.
Three local businesses have come together to provide free afternoon tea treats – Hey Little Cupcake are providing free mini ‘I Love MCR‘ cupcakes and scones, Clippy’s Apples will be providing jam for the scones, which can all be washed down with some Charbrew Tea. There will also be stalls with more giveaways, activities and information, along with places to sit back and enjoy the atmosphere.
At 5.30pm today 800 red and white balloons will be released from Exchange Square. The balloons will carry messages of love for the city, highlighting people’s favourite things to see and do, written by Mancunians in a symbolic expression of civic pride. Balloons and message tags will be provided by volunteers in Exchange Square from 4pm.
Anyone that finds one of the message tags across Greater Manchester over the following weeks can register their ‘find’ on the Facebook group (www.facebook.com/WeLoveMCR) to be in with a chance of winning a prize.
