17 March 2009

www.forevermanchester.com is a virtual island where Mancunians living at home and abroad can purchase their favourite piece of Manchester from upwards of £5; and become a modern day philanthropist. All funds go to Forever Manchester, a £4.4 million fundraising campaign launched by The Community Foundation for Greater Manchester.
Manchester’s most famous landmarks are up for sale on a new website that gives Mancunians the opportunity to “buyâ€? virtual replicas of some of the region’s most iconic buildings including, The Beetham Tower, Urbis and Stockport Viaduct.
The island will represent Central, North, East, South and West Manchester, in addition to Forever Manchester beach, which was created as a repost to Ian Brown’s much cited quote that “Manchester has everything, except a beachâ€?.
Forever Manchester has been devised to harness the spirit and pride of Manchester people, whether living and working in the city and its suburbs or ex pats to help raise £2.2million. This will be matched by the Government to create a massive £4.4million community fund for Manchester called the Infinity Fund – so called because it will last forever.
Interest from the fund will be distributed in the form of grants to small community groups and social entrepreneurs who are making a positive difference to their communities and need some financial support to get projects off the ground.
Those already on board as partners are; The Ting Tings, Manchester poet Mike Garry, Harvey Nichols, Vimto, Urbis, Radisson Edwardian, Kro, Manchester Radio Online, Duerrs, Irwell Valley, Manchester Food and Drink Festival, The Printworks and The Market Restaurant.
So once you have purchased your piece of Manchester Island you can officially call yourself a modern day philanthropist and an investor into the future of Manchester! But is doesn’t end there... Islanders are invited to purchase a special edition city card. The fee for this is £20, £10 of which goes towards supporting Forever Manchester. Secondly; you will get access to an exclusive range of member discounts at many of Manchester’s best restaurants, bars, health clubs, spas, salons, stores and much more, simply by producing your Forever Manchester City Card at participating venues.

To celebrate the launch of Forever Manchester four of the city’s best comics will be performing at The Frog and Bucket, Oldham Street. Entry price is £10, which includes a delicious curry and a donation to support The Northern Residency Fund, helping talented locals make their mark in creative industries.
For further information or to book tickets please visit www.forevermanchester.com or call 0870 428 0785.