More Than a Dinner. A Night for Manchester’s Future.

The Lord Mayor of Manchester Cllr Carmine Grimshaw and Manchester City Council's Chief executive, Tom Stannard.

Last week, Manchester came together for our biggest night of the year, and what a night it was.

Our annual We Love MCR Fundraising Dinner once again brought the city’s business community, civic leaders, and supporters under one roof, all united by one belief: that every young person deserves the chance to fulfil their potential, and every neighbourhood should have the opportunity to thrive.

Held at the iconic Midland Hotel, the evening was a powerful celebration of Manchester’s generosity, ambition and community spirit. It was also a moment to reflect on an extraordinary year of impact, backing Rising Stars to take their next steps, and empowering grassroots groups working tirelessly to strengthen their local communities.

Guests enjoyed our latest charity film, capturing some of the stories behind our work and the pride, resilience and talent that define Manchester. It set the tone for a night filled with optimism and shared purpose.

We were honoured to welcome Tom Stannard, CEO of Manchester City Council, marking his first Dinner since taking on the role, another sign of the Council’s deep support for our work. We also heard from Charlie Cornish of Manchester Airports Group, whose keynote spoke to the ambition, innovation and drive that Manchester is known for.

A special moment came when Rising Star designer Sam Makonam once again dressed our own Marie in a stunning custom piece, a beautiful reminder of what belief and opportunity can unlock in young Mancunians.

Thanks to the generosity of everyone in the room, through pledges, donations and silent auction bids,  we raised vital funds that will make a real and lasting difference across our city. This support will help ambitious young people take life-changing steps through the Manchester’s Rising Stars Fund, and will boost community-led projects through the Stronger Communities Fund. Every grant we make creates a ripple of positive change, starting a butterfly effect felt across Manchester’s neighbourhoods.

To everyone who attended, donated, bid and backed our mission, thank you. To Tom Stannard and Charlie Cornish for championing our cause, and to our Lord Mayor Carmine Grimshaw for leading the evening with pride and passion, we’re incredibly grateful. And a special thank you to our trustee Aneel Mussarat, whose leadership and commitment make this event possible year after year.

Manchester showed up. Manchester gave back. And Manchester will feel the impact. Thank you for being part of it, here’s to another year of unlocking potential and powering positive futures across this remarkable city.