Manchester Pride Raises One Million Pounds for LGBT Charities

MANCHESTER, England - Manchester Pride has announced that it has raised a grand total of �105,000 this year. This figure means that, since 2003, the annual festival has raised over �1M distributed to LGBT organisations and HIV charities and organisations.

As the festival turned a youthful but developed 21 this year, the announcement of this figure and the �1M target could not have come with better timing.

Vicken Couligian, Chair of Manchester Pride, said: "We are over the moon here at Manchester Pride to have raised such a fantastic sum of money over this year's festival - and what better birthday present could we have than meeting the �1M target. After a summer that has arguably had its low points - with the gay blood ban still in place and the recent Manchester riots - it is great to have something positive to shout about in Manchester and be proud of.

We work extremely hard all year round at Manchester Pride to put on a great event and fundraise for deserving causes, and we are very grateful to all of those who support us in doing so. Our patrons, staff, board of trustees, friends, volunteers, media partners and festival goers - thank you for helping us achieve this!"

Manchester Pride 2011's ten day festival, which took place between August 19 and August 29 of this year, featured a week long Pride Fringe of art, sports, theatre, film and more, culminating in a four-night long 'Big Weekend'. Headliners for this year's Big Weekend included Alexandra Burke, The Sugababes, Pixie Lott, boy band Blue and the fabulous comedienne 'Pam Ann'. In addition to this, the festival's 'Best of British' themed parade saw thousands of supporters come together to watch community groups, organisations and individuals march throughout the city centre to celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) culture and lifestyle.

The festival is the only one of its kind that continues to raise such large sums of money for charities and LGBT groups, and is renowned for having the biggest and best musical talent year on year, reflected in its five consecutive annual wins of the Pink Paper Awards' 'Best Pride' prize.

Kieron Richardson, one of Manchester Pride's patrons, said: "Manchester Pride is a fantastic event that brings people from all walks of life together to celebrate its LGBT community and raise much needed funding for some deserving causes. I am proud to be a patron and supporter of the organisation and had a brilliant time at the event this year!"

A total of �98,000 was raised during the ten day festival, with an additional �7,000 being raised at the first Manchester Pride Dinner in September 2010; this money has been distributed through the Pride Fringe Fund.

As in previous years, the Lesbian & Gay Foundation's free condom and lube scheme and the George House Trust's HIV Welfare fund will both receive �24,500, with the remaining money being distributed over the coming months to LGBT and HIV charities and organisations across Greater Manchester.