Manchester all set for ‘We Love MCR day’ as campaign group tops 11,500

The ‘I Love MCR’ campaign that has united the city in civic pride following the UK-wide disturbances earlier this month will reach new heights on Friday (26 August) as Manchester celebrates ‘We Love MCR day’.

The popularity of the campaign, which has the support of over 11,500 people on Facebook, has resulted in widespread use of the 'I Love MCR' branding.

Mancunians are being urged to help the group reach 20,000 supporters by Friday by encouraging their friends and family to sign-up to the campaign.

The single-biggest use of the 'I Love MCR' logo will be unveiled on Thursday by The Co-operative which has chosen to dress the side of its CIS Tower headquarters.

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.

There will be a mass 'tweet up' at 5.30pm whereby people will be asked to Tweet messages of love for the city using the hashtag #ILoveMCR to help put Manchester on the global trending map. For those people that are not on the social media network there will be a massive 'I Love MCR' card where they can leave their personal message of support.

Andrew Stokes, chief executive of Marketing Manchester, said: "We have been overwhelmed by the city's response to the campaign. Mancunians are rightly proud of their city and 'We Love MCR day' will be our way to show the rest of the UK and the wider-world what real Mancunians are made of."

Peter Marks, group chief executive of The Co-operative, said: "We are extremely proud of our Manchester roots and the role we play in the commercial life of this great city. We have been here for almost 150 years and we intend to be here for the next 150. We were all shocked to see the disgraceful scenes of rioting and violence but the way everyone has rallied behind the "I love MCR" campaign is testimony to the real spirit of Manchester. We wanted everyone to know that we are backing the campaign and what better way to do it than erecting a poster that everyone can see for miles around."

Cllr Pat Karney from Manchester City Council said: "We've been bowled over by the sheer numbers of people who have been willing to shout from the rooftops that they love Manchester. But we aren't really surprised as all Mancunians will always stand up and say how proud they are of their city. It has been wonderful to see people across Manchester wearing t-shirts and badges, and seeing posters in shops and on billboards. Everywhere you look Manchester is wearing its heart on its sleeve. Friday's event is another chance to come together and show the world just how great a city this is."

Other organisations that have announced their support for 'We Love MCR day' include: Frog & Bucket - which has pulled together a special Manchester comedy line-up; Bruntwood - which is dressing many of its buildings (as well as their staff!) with 'I Love MCR' branding; Manchester City and Manchester United - who have both worn 'I Love MCR' T-shirts in training; and Manchester Pride - who will be handing out 'I Love MCR' flags during the Manchester Pride Parade on Saturday.

Join the 'I Love MCR' campaign at: www.facebook.com/weloveMCR

Profits from the sale of 'I Love MCR' T-shirts will be donated to Forever Manchester and Reclaim.

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.
www.forevermanchester.com

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.
www.reclaimproject.org.uk