Class of 92 backed-charity Foundation 92 and the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity have revealed plans for the inaugural ‘Champions for Children’ Gala Dinner set to take over Victoria Warehouse on 20 March looking to raise thousands of pounds for both charities.
The glamorous evening of dining and entertainment will see a host of well-known business figures from across the region and famous faces come together to celebrate the life-changing projects of both charities. The gala dinner will raise funds for Foundation 92’s community programmes as well as funding life changing projects for patients cared for by Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital’s (RMCH).
The event, which is being sponsored by Godel Technologies, a Manchester-based software company, will be hosted by legendary presenters Jenny Powell and Hits Radio UK DJ and RMCH Charity patron, Mike Toolan. The evening will feature a three-course meal as well as a charity auction and raffle, and live entertainment throughout the evening. A silent auction with one-of-a-kind, money can’t buy prizes – including an appearance on Gary Neville’s The Overlap podcast – will also be on offer.
Foundation 92 was founded by the Class of 92 in 2018 and is based in Salford. The charity works across the North-West with a number of different community groups improving lives through sport, education and bespoke projects, with an emphasis on positive physical and mental wellbeing.
The Foundation supports the wider community, offering help to those living with additional needs and disabilities, those tackling homelessness and young people who have or may be at risk of committing offences.
The charity uses innovative programmes that specialise in health and wellbeing, education and employability skills, community inclusion and youth outreach working closely with partners across Salford and Greater Manchester.
The gala dinner will also support two projects at RMCH, the largest children’s hospital in the country, including the hospital’s pioneering Youth Service which supports patients aged 11 and over with long-term health conditions. The RMCH service – one of only three hospital youth services in the country – empowers young people to find their voice, build confidence, and navigate the challenges of their condition, both in hospital and at home.
The dinner will also support patients cared for in the hospital’s inpatient mental health unit, funding workshops that enable patients to use music and creative expression to build confidence, self-esteem and re-establish their identity.
Chief Executive Officer of Foundation 92, Tom Hutton said:
“We are delighted to announce the first Champions for Children Gala Dinner which has been in planning for many months. The work of both Foundation 92 and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity does support people across the community with vital projects and this is a night for celebrating them.
“We hope the dinner will not only shine a light on some of the programmes and initiatives we both work on but also support in raising funds to ensure both charities can continue operating and expanding their services across the North-West and beyond.”
Viv Williamson, Events Manager at Manchester Foundation Trust Charity said:
“Every table booking, every auction bid and every raffle ticket purchase at the Champions For Children Gala Dinner has the potential to make a truly life-changing impact on the futures of children and young people in the region, whilst also shedding a light on the pioneering work of both charities.
“We’re so excited to be teaming up with Foundation 92 and this event is such a special opportunity to bring the Manchester business community together for a spectacular evening, knowing that every contribution will make a difference and support life-changing work of both charities in the future.”
The Champions for Children gala dinner will take place on Thursday 20th March at Victoria Warehouse, with limited table numbers still available. Tables and sponsorship packages can be purchased via emailing champions@julieperryevents.com.
