Forever Manchester & Reclaim receive profit from ‘I Love MCR’ campaign
Forever Manchester and Reclaim will, this evening, be presented with cheques totalling £8,865 by representatives of the ‘I Love MCR’ campaign.
The donation comes from the profit made from the sale of 'I Love MCR' campaign T-shirts in the weeks following the August disturbances.
The cheque will be presented at MOSI (The Museum of Science & Industry) at an event to re-launch the Lord Mayor's Charity as the 'We Love MCR' charity. An online auction of 'I Love MCR' memorabilia will also commence and run until Friday, 4 November.
Andrew Stokes, chief executive of Marketing Manchester, said: "We're delighted that campaign activity has helped raise money for two very worthy causes. The 'I Love MCR' T-shirt quickly became a symbol of defiance against the riots and we are proud of the contribution that every sale has made."
Commenting on the launch of the 'We Love MCR' charity, he added: "The 'I Love MCR' campaign encapsulated the strong sense of pride that Mancunians have in their city and it is fitting that it will live on as the 'We Love MCR' charity. Here, we have a real opportunity to ensure that the legacy of summer 2011 is a positive one, when the people of Manchester stood together against anti-social behaviour in all its forms."
Councillor Sue Murphy, deputy leader of Manchester City Council, said: "Reclaim and Forever Manchester are excellent charities that really make a significant contribution to the life of our great city. Both encapsulate the spirit of the I Love MCR campaign and we're really pleased that they will benefit from the money raised."
Marketing Manchester has also announced that it will be adopting 'We Love MCR' as its official charity. It aims to donate £10,000 within the next year through the sale of 'I Love MCR' merchandise and other activity.
To join the campaign, visit: www.facebook.com/WeLoveMCR
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Forever Manchester
Forever Manchester is the Community Foundation for Greater Manchester. They raise, manage and distribute money to support local people and groups trying to make a positive change in their neighbourhoods throughout Greater Manchester.
Reclaim
Reclaim is a multiple award winning leadership and mentoring project based in Manchester. The project empowers young people across the North West to make positive changes in their communities and to find inner strength and self belief.