Mayors Steve Rotheram and Andy Burnham will be joined by artists, presenters, and sports legends such as Rebecca Ferguson, Heather Small, John Barnes, and Peter Reid for their charity “DJ Battle” in Liverpool the following month. This comes after their thrilling match in Manchester last year, in which both teams declared victory.
On Friday, February 2, 2024, at Camp and Furnace, the two will be spinning records once more as the Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester square off in a friendly musical competition. The proceeds from this event will benefit nearby homeless charities.
The musical selections for the home team will include LFC and England Rapper John Barnes, singers Rebecca Ferguson and Peter Hooton, and former Corrie actress Sally Lindsay, M-People’s Heather Small, and BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Nihal Arthanayake. Additional performers will also be revealed.
With their first match occurring online during the pandemic and their second meeting taking place in person in Manchester last December, which raised over £25,000 and (amazingly) won “Leading Live Event of the Year” at the 2023 World Cup, the charity event will function as a sort of round three rematch for the two. The Manchester Awards are this.
The night’s proceeds will be split between charities in the Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region, with all proceeds going towards programmes aimed at reducing homelessness and ending rough sleeping.
Early-bird tickets for the February fixture are now available with people urged to follow the charities’ and the Mayors’ social media accounts for further information.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:
“I’m really looking forward to welcoming Andy and the rest of the Greater Manchester contingent to Liverpool – or the UK’s cultural capital as I like to call it! We’ve shown time and again that nowhere can throw a party quite like our area and we’ve got a fantastic line-up of famous faces joining us on stage for what promises to be an evening full of fun and great music.“Most importantly though, it’s all in aid of a cause that’s very close to all our hearts. Together, we’re showing that the North West will always stand united in support of those who need it most.”
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester said:
“We’re coming back but this time we’re heading over to Liverpool. I was so proud of what we achieved with our DJ Battle last year, using the power of music and friendly rivalry to unite behind one powerful message, that homelessness has no place in Greater Manchester. It’s going to be bigger and better this time round, as we spread the fundraising and ramp up the noise over in Liverpool.”
The Mayors’ efforts are a cohesive and innovative response to the problem of homelessness in the various regions. The current financial crisis is posing ever-tougher challenges for communities.
Mayor Rotheram is leading a ground-breaking new initiative in the Liverpool City Region to address homelessness. Ninety percent of the hundreds of locals Housing First has assisted in obtaining a permanent home and escaping homelessness have managed to maintain their tenancy. This is in addition to the area’s Assertive Outreach Service, which has assisted hundreds of individuals who were either rough sleeping or at risk of doing so by finding them temporary housing and offering mental and physical health support.
Funds for charities and community organisations in the Liverpool City Region are disbursed by the Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside. Because of their industry knowledge, they are able to identify and connect with local charities, even those that are less well-known and operate at the grassroots level, ensuring that charitable donations result in long-lasting change.
Rae Brooke, Chief Executive of Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside, said:
“We’re so pleased to be working with Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity for DJ Battle round 2! It was clearly such a great night last time, and the funds raised were phenomenal. This year, it will be even better and I’m delighted that we can be part of it.”
Since it peaked in 2017, the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity’s A Bed Every Night programme has assisted in the fight against homelessness in the area. It has aided almost 6,000 people since 2020; in the past year alone, 2,910 people have received support. Currently, 658 individuals who might otherwise be at risk of rough sleeping are housed in A Bed Every Night.
The Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, which has raised millions through campaigns, events, and challenges to date, is unwavering in their resolve to confront the challenges posed by growing adversity.
Tim Heatley, Chair of the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, said:
“The last DJ battle was epic. It ramped up the friendly rivalry between the two city regions and saw the Mayors and region’s cheerleaders all giving up their time for a common goal. Music has the power to unite communities and these head-to-heads have shown the willingness of music-lovers to put their hand in their pockets, support a worthy cause and have a great night in the while doing so. We’re getting warned up for Liverpool and can’t wait to bring the party to the city.”
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