"We couldnt have done it without the amazing committee, acts, attendees and supporters - we know Frank would have been thrilled with such an achievement."
Fred Booth, centre director of The Printworks
Manchester’s best-loved entertainment complex, The Printworks, has reached its huge fundraising target, securing a whopping £100,000 for The Christie.
Over the last four years The Printworks has been dedicated to raising vital funds for The Christie with its annual Manchester Soul Festival, which takes place over the August bank holiday weekend.
This year’s Soul Festival was bigger than ever before, with over 48,500 people coming together to get their groove on for the biggest Northern Soul event of the year, and raised what turned out to be a record-breaking amount!
The Manchester Soul Festival was the brainchild of Frank, who wanted to thank The Christie for taking care of him as he battled with oesophageal cancer, and he worked tirelessly to make it a success until he passed away in 2015.
To reach its courageous target of £100,000, The Printworks subsequently hosted a series of live music events, with one off gigs in the Pump Yard by favourite acts including Stax of Soul and Special Brew, in a bid to top up the funds raised on Sunday 26th August.
Fred Booth, centre director of The Printworks, said: “We are incredibly proud to have raised such a huge amount for a cause close to our hearts. We said back in August that although we didn’t reach the £100,000 target on the day of the Manchester Soul Festival, we would hit it before the year is out - and we were true to our word! We couldn’t have done it without the amazing committee, acts, attendees and supporters - we know Frank would have been thrilled with such an achievement.”
Jennifer Kent, Community Fundraising Coordinator at The Christie, said “What an unbelievable fundraising total! We are so thankful to The Printworks and The Manchester Soul Festival committee, as well as all of the supporters, for the huge efforts over the years. Our charity provides enhanced services over and above what the NHS funds and this money will make a huge difference to our patients.”
As a result of The Printworks and Manchester Soul Festival Committee’s fundraising efforts, Frank Byrne will be honoured at The Christie with his name added to the Tree of Hope in its memorial garden.
Every year, the Manchester Soul Festival features a jam-packed line up of incredible home-grown talent and soul DJs, with The Printworks’ Pump Yard playing host to the dedicated ‘Frank Byrne’ stage.
