Manchester Twestival, the local arm of the global, Twitter-based fundraising festival, last night raised £1,850.11 for the local Wood Street Mission charity at a packed event at NoHo.
The festival saw many of Manchester’s digital community come together to raise money to help local children and families affected by poverty.
Festival organiser Joanna Halton said: “We’re so pleased with the success of Manchester Twestival. Our chosen charity Wood Street Mission is such a worthy cause and it’s great to be part of something that will help them to carry on the work they do. Twestival raised £1850.11 and when Wood Street Mission told us this would clothe 120 children for a whole year, we were all thrilled. We can’t thank all the guests and sponsors enough, they’ve contributed to such a worthy cause and made a real difference to local children and families who are affected by poverty.”
According to a recent report by Save the Children, Greater Manchester has one of the highest levels of severe child poverty in the UK, affecting more than 27 per cent of children. Deprived children are more likely to suffer in terms of their education, health, self-esteem and life expectancy.
Rachel Bywater of Wood Street Mission commented: “Sadly, Manchester has the highest levels of child poverty in the UK, with more than one in every four children being classed as living in severe poverty. Wood Street Mission is working to ensure that these kids don’t go without the essentials that the rest of us take for granted, and to give them a better chance of a brighter future, free from poverty.
“We’re so delighted Wood Street Mission was chosen to be the beneficiary of Manchester Twestival 2011. It was a brilliant night and the £1,850 that was raised is enough for us to be able to support 120 children through our Clothing Project – providing free clothing, bedding , baby equipment and toys to disadvantaged families in Manchester and Salford. With Manchester Twestival’s support we’re going to be able to make a real, positive difference to a lot of vulnerable children’s’ lives, which is absolutely wonderful!”
All the funds raised last night will go to Wood Street’s Clothing Project, which provides vital, practical help for more than 4,500 local children and parents in desperate need of clothing, bedding, baby equipment and toys.
Among the events at the fundraising extravaganza were readings from a number of Manchester’s award-winning local bloggers, a DJ spinning dance tunes and a special charity auction offering exciting prizes that included corporate tickets for a Manchester City match, hotel stays, restaurant meals and a champagne tasting class.
Manchester Twestival also participated in an attempt to break the world record for a global live-stream. The event was briefly streamed live to a global audience, along with other Twestivals around the world.
Twestival (“Twitter Festival”) is an annual global fundraising festival that harnesses the power of social media for social good. Through the power of networks such as Twitter, Facebook and volunteering, Manchester Twestival has raised more than £10,000 since 2009, contributing to a global total of over £760,000.
Since 2009, money raised by Manchester Twestival has gone to both local and global causes such as St Ann’s Hospice, Charity: Water and Concern.
The organisers of Manchester Twestival, Social Media Manchester, which also organises the city’s monthly Social Media Cafe, say 100 per cent of funds collected through ticket sales and donations will go direct to Wood Street Mission.
Photo credit to Aaron Mcmanus
