A special concert for the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity has raised more than £100,000 to help tackle rough sleeping in the city-region.
‘Raise the Roof’ saw a mix of the biggest and most influential bands and artists from across the city-region come together in a memorable night at the concert, at O2 Victoria Warehouse Manchester. Courteeners; with Blossoms, Bugzy Malone, Lisa Stansfield, Dr John Cooper Clarke, Valve and DJ Sunta Templeton were all on top form and the event received rave reviews. Music fans were asked to make a £10 donation to the charity, to raise money for ‘A Bed Every Night’. Around 1,600 lucky winners each received a pair of tickets for the gig.
In addition the concert was supported by significant donations from Greater Manchester’s business community. Raise the Roof saw notable contributions from a number of supporting businesses including SJM Concerts, MC2, Capital & Centric, O2 Victoria Warehouse Manchester and UKFast, together with media partners Radio X and Manchester Evening News.
The Mayor’s Charity, together with SJM Concerts, have also unveiled plans for another concert in 2020. Further details on the venue and line-up will be announced early next year. A special highlights video, to say thank you to everyone who took part, has been released today on Twitter @raisetheroofgm and Facebook.
Tim Heatley, Chair of the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, said: “I’d like to say thank you to everyone involved in making Raise The Roof not just a fantastic moment but also a lasting legacy, with more than £100,000 raised to tackle homelessness in the city region.
“The event showed what can be done when Greater Manchester’s music, arts and business communities join together. Whether it was people’s hard work, donations or performance on the night we achieved something special. We don’t walk on by when people need help, we come together to make things happen.
“I’m delighted to be able to confirm on behalf of the Mayor’s Charity that we want to make Raise The Roof a regular event in the city region’s calendar. Thank you to everyone who’s been involved so far and we look forward to announcing further details early next year on the next concert.”
Courteeners lead singer Liam Fray said: “Rough sleeping on the streets of Greater Manchester is a crisis all of us need to confront and by joining forces we can really make a difference.”
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “Raise The Roof saw a 3,500-strong crowd come together to do exactly what it said on the tin. It was a brilliant night, with an amazing atmosphere, and I want to thank everyone who came. But I also want to thank everyone who put their name into the hat for tickets but were unsuccessful. Your support is hugely appreciated.
“My main thanks, though, go to Courteeners, Blossoms, Bugzy Malone, Dr John Cooper Clarke, Lisa Stansfield, Valve and Sunta Templeton for putting on an unforgettable evening, as well as promoter SJM Concerts and various supporting businesses across Greater Manchester who helped to make it happen.
“Raise the Roof has raised over £100k which is a huge amount for a first event. This money has helped give us confidence to extend A Bed Every Night for another year and that’s why we’re so grateful to everyone who was part of it.
“As a snapshot, on one night earlier this month, almost 300 people were indoors thanks to A Bed Every Night. Since the scheme started last November, nearly 670 people have been helped through it into more suitable accommodation.
“Early next month we will set out plans for Phase 2 of A Bed Every Night and people will be able to see the difference this money will make.”
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