Greater Manchester pulled together and raised over £30,000 to help tackle homelessness!
On Thursday, 22nd August, organisations across Greater Manchester battled it out to be crowned ‘Greater Manchester’s Strongest Team’, all to help end homelessness in our city-region.
No one deserves to be without a home, or to face a night on the streets. But the numbers of people experiencing homelessness across Greater Manchester and the country continue to rise. This was the backdrop to our latest fundraiser, and an inspirational show of strength from the business community of Greater Manchester.
47 teams took a turn under the vaulted arches of Manchester Central, competing to see who could pull a Bee Network bus in the fastest possible time. With nearly double the number of teams entering compared to 2023, competition was fierce!
Next Level Networking ‘s Founders team smashed last year’s winners Resource Solutions’ record with a blistering time of 00:24.088. However, every team should congratulate themselves for their attempt. We know at Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity just how tough this challenge is! If you would like to check out your score, please head to our leaderboard here.
But, it is not just the physical achievements that are worth celebrating. The combined fundraising saw a total of over £30,000 raised to help end homelessness and eradicate the need for rough sleeping across Greater Manchester. If you know someone who took part, please donate to their JustGiving or, if you don’t know anyone who competed but would still like to support, please donate here or text HOMEGM to 70085 to donate £5.
The event follows the inaugural success of the 2023 edition, raising nearly double over last year’s total. This year’s event also included a guest appearance from Salford Red Devils and Diablo the Devil, keeping spirits high as the teams and audience enjoyed delicious food and drink served up by Manchester Central with a portion of the sales going towards the fundraising total. Beats from prominent local label XI Records and Manchester DJs, as well as our Ambassador Matty White, kept the atmosphere going all day.
The business community of Greater Manchester were out in force. Jacobs submitted 5 teams, collectively raising a very impressive £3,000 while Hitachi Solutions came along with 3 teams. TfGM, First Bus, Robert Walters, Ultimate Performance Fitness and Next Level Networking all battled it out with 2 teams a piece, exhibiting a healthy amount of rivalry between colleagues. And also, congratulations to Dalkia Engineering who with just one team in play have raised over £2,000.
As teams crossed the finish line, all finishers received a tote bag, sponsored by the GM Business Growth Hub and featuring a Yerba Vitality energy drink, a Manchester DJ’s cap and a trolley token and water bottle from headline sponsors, We are Footprint. Built for Athletes also donated prizes for the winning team and first runners up.
The success of this event is because of that team spirit and collective generosity that characterises Greater Manchester. Alongside the teams competing, We Are Footprint joined as headline sponsors, with further sponsorship from Clear Futures and Go North West. Stagecoach and First Group provided the 10,800kg buses, with equipment for the pull donated by GM Fire and Rescue, Manchester Lifting and Safety Services and Manchester Breakdown Service.
“The Bus Pull event is a perfect example of the generosity and spirit of Greater Manchester, and it was great to see it back.
“No one should be without a home, and because of the support of so many businesses sponsoring and participating in this fundraiser, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity are able to fund pioneering work that can make a real change.
“This is what makes us proud. Thank you to everyone who got involved.”
The funds raised will go towards initiatives like the A Bed Every Night scheme, which supports people sleeping rough or at risk of doing so, and work that can help stop homelessness before it becomes a reality.
“That was phenomenal! We beat our fundraising total from 2023 and nearly doubled the number of teams entering. To also see so many people coming to enjoy the show was a very proud moment for all at the charity. With the latest figures pointing to more and more children experiencing homelessness, and a rise of people coming to their council in need of immediate support, this couldn’t have been a more welcome and timely event.
The community of Greater Manchester care, and are committed to ending homelessness and eradicating the need for rough sleeping. This event showed the strength of that commitment, and what a display.
From all of us at Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, thank you.”
“Wow what a day! Sponsoring and taking part in the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity Bus Pull event really has been a rewarding and memorable experience. Massive thanks to Fran and all the team at the Greater Manchester Mayors Charity for organising the event.
Everyone at We Are Footprint firmly believes that everyone deserves the security and dignity of a bed every night, and we’re proud to play a small part in making homelessness a thing of the past. Although pulling the bus was quite the workout, it demonstrates what can be achieved if everyone pulls in the same direction. ”
“I’m super proud of being a small part of what was a great day for the charity. The lads and I had great fun taking part, but it was great to see so many different people coming together for one cause. I think we’ve all done Manchester proud today.
A big thank you to everyone that came along and donated. These funds are vital for allowing us to end homelessness once and for all.”
Thank you everyone who took part, from the sponsors, partners, bus pullers and bus puller supporters, the day would not have been the success it was without you.
Together, we can end homelessness.