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UNITED KINGDOM

Manchester Gay Pride Raises £105,000 for Charity

■ Manchester Pride 2008

MANCHESTER, September 29, 2008  –  Manchester Pride 2008 raised £105,000 for charity during its 18th birthday celebrations at the end of August, it was revealed today.

The money will be used to support various groups and projects within the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community across Greater Manchester via the Manchester Pride Community Fund and the Manchester Pride HIV/Aids Fund.

It will also support the Lesbian & Gay Foundation’s ‘Free Condom and Lube’ scheme and the George House Trust HIV Welfare Fund, who will each receive a grant of just over £26,000.

“This is an amazing amount of money to raise for charity in just ten days,” commented Pride chairman Andrew Stokes.

“We’re up £10,000 on last year’s total and I know I speak for everyone involved in the organisation of Manchester Pride when I say just how pleased we are with what has been achieved.

“It’s no exaggeration to say the money donated by Manchester Pride can quite literally make the difference between a group or project surviving and having to shut down due to lack of funds.  The current economic climate makes each donation all the more valuable to its recipients and we’ll do our best to help as many organisations as we can.”

Paul Martin, chief executive of the Lesbian & Gay Foundation, said that the fact that Manchester Pride continues to raise much-needed funds for LGBT/HIV ‘good causes’ is “a testament” to continued sommitment.

“I would urge everyone to continue to support this fantastic initiative as Manchester is still the UK’s premier pride event.  I would like to say thank you to everyone who bought a ticket for once again making their contribution to supporting our communities, so that we can continue to deliver our much needed services.”

■ To find out how to apply for grants from both the Manchester Pride Community Fund and the Manchester Pride HIV/AIDS Fund, please call Sam Palmer on 0161 235 8011.

Seed Newsvine  

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