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Manchester Pride 2008 raise £105,000 for charity

Bucketfuls

Wednesday, 15 October 2008

Credit crunch? What credit crunch? Seems the worries of mortgage payments, paying those fuel bills and the rising cost of our daily bread was the last thing on the mind of the generous Manchester Pride goer. Manchester Pride have just announced they raised £105,000 for charity during its 18th birthday celebrations at the end of August.

The money will be used to support various groups and projects within the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community across Greater Manchester via the Manchester Pride Community Fund and the Manchester Pride HIV / AIDS Fund. It will also support the Lesbian & Gay Foundation’s ‘Free Condom and Lube’ scheme and the George House Trust HIV Welfare Fund, who will each receive a grant of just over £26,000.

Andrew Stokes, chairman of Manchester Pride, said: “This is an amazing amount of money to raise for charity in just ten days. We’re up £10,000 on last year’s total and I know I speak for everyone involved in the organisation of Manchester Pride when I say just how pleased we are with what has been achieved. It’s no exaggeration to say the money donated by Manchester Pride can quite literally make the difference between a group or project surviving and having to shut down due to lack of funds. The current economic climate makes each donation all the more valuable to its recipients and we’ll do our best to help as many organisations as we can.”

Paul Martin, chief executive of the Lesbian & Gay Foundation, said: “The fact that Manchester Pride continues to raise much needed funds for LGB&T/HIV good causes, despite the current financial climate and spiralling costs is testament to its commitment and place in LGB&T life. I would urge everyone to continue to support this fantastic initiative, as Manchester is still the UK’s premier Pride event. I would like to say thank you to everyone who bought a ticket for once again making their contribution to supporting our communities, so that we can continue to deliver our much needed services.”

So a hearty congratulations to all those involved with Manchester Pride and each and every donating party goer. You did your city proud.

To find out how to apply for grants from both the Manchester Pride Community Fund and the Manchester Pride HIV / AIDS Fund, please call Sam Palmer on 0161 235 8011 or email