Great Places recently participated in the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity event held at Manchester Central, aimed at raising funds to end homelessness in the region. The event saw various teams come together to pull a 10,800kg bus, showcasing their solidarity for a crucial cause.
The Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, an independent charity established to address the issue of homelessness, organised this event with the hope of rallying the community around a common cause. With the hashtag #WeDontWalkOnBy, the charity emphasises the importance of community involvement in tackling homelessness, a cause that is a top priority for Great Places.
Fundraising efforts:
Mike Gerrard, Chief Financial Officer at Great Places, took the initiative to lead on the fundraising efforts for the company’s participation. He set up a GoFundMe page that managed to raise £200. Understanding the significance of the cause, Great Places decided to top up this amount, bringing the total donation to £500. This contribution reflects Great Places’ commitment to making a meaningful impact in the community.
The day of the event:
The Great Places team arrived early, giving them the opportunity to observe other teams and devise a strategy. Watching teams, including the formidable Salford Red Devils rugby team, who managed to complete their pull in an impressive 24 seconds, the Great Places team knew they had a challenge ahead of them.
After some warm-up preparations the team was ready for their turn. With determination and teamwork, they managed to pull the bus across the finish line in 29 seconds, initially placing them 14th. By the end of the day, they ranked 19th out of all participating teams.
Though they didn’t win, the Great Places team left Manchester Central with a sense of accomplishment. Not only did they contribute significantly to a crucial cause, but they also showcased the power of teamwork and perseverance.
Ben Tomlinson, a Repairs Planner at Great Places, reflected on the day: “It was a fantastic experience, and while we didn’t finish at the top, the real win was being part of something bigger than ourselves. Knowing that our efforts are helping to end homelessness in Greater Manchester is incredibly rewarding.”
Looking forward
Great Places is proud to have been part of this impactful event and looks forward to continuing its support for the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity and other community-focused initiatives. With the collective effort of everyone involved, we strive to move closer to a future where homelessness is a thing of the past.
For more information about the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity and future events, visit gmmayorscharity.org.uk.
