All-star DJ Battle raises thousands to tackle homelessness
Mayors Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram took to the decks once more, raising more than £20,000 (UPDATE) to tackle homelessness and end the need for rough sleeping in Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester.
Stars from music, sport, TV and radio – including Craig Charles, Jamie Webster, John Barnes and members of Blossoms – played tracks in front a packed audience at Liverpool’s Camp and Furnace venue.
Singers Rebecca Ferguson and Peter Hooton, and world champion boxer Natasha Jonas completed the line-up for Liverpool, while M People’s Heather Small, former Corrie actress Sally Lindsay, BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Nihal Arthanayake, Olympian Diane Modahl and presenter Matt White were also on the decks for Manchester.
The money raised will be divided between Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity and Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside. In Greater Manchester, it will go to our flagship scheme – A Bed Every Night. This pioneering scheme has helped tackle homelessness across the region ever since its peak in 2017.
Launched in 2018 by Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, A Bed Every Night provides emergency accommodation for anyone rough sleeping across the city-region, regardless of status. It costs around £30 per night to fund emergency accommodation, supplying people with guaranteed shelter, food and wrap-around support to help move people into more permanent accommodation.
Since 2020 it’s helped nearly 6,000 people, with 2,910 people supported in the last year alone. Currently, there are 658 people in A Bed Every Night who would otherwise be at risk of rough sleeping.
“It was great to take on Steve and team Liverpool in their own back yard and put on an incredible show. To see around 1,000 revellers in the crowd, who have all helped to raise money to tackle rough sleeping and homelessness in both of our city-regions, was beyond belief. The amount of money raised has been incredible and will make such a big difference for the Mayor’s Charity and other great initiatives across Greater Manchester and the North-West tackling rough sleeping and homelessness.
My sincere thanks go to everyone who took part, including our very own Blossoms, Sally Lindsay, Heather Small, Diane Modahl, and more who made the journey to Merseyside, as well as the legends that are Craig Charles and John Barnes.”
Over in Merseyside, the money will be distributed across the Liverpool City Region to charities and community groups by Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside. Their knowledge of the sector allows them to find and reach charities in their community, including lesser-known charities operating at a grass-roots level; ensuring charitable awards create lasting change.
“The energy and the atmosphere in the room was electric and it was fantastic to see so many people come together to help others. Few people can resist the friendly rivalry between the two city regions and last night was no exception with an amazing night of music and banter. We so appreciate the time and effort that everyone put in at no cost so the charities could benefit at the highest level so thank you!”
With thousands raised, you can still show your support…
Together, we can end homelessness.
The line-up
Photo credits: Jason Roberts