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University staff help Manchester Christmas Dinner exceed targets

18 Dec 2024

We are pleased to announce that we have exceeded the fundraising target for the Manchester Christmas Dinner thanks to donations from across the University.

Christmas dinner

Thanks to the kindness of more than 160 people across our University community, we have exceeded our fundraising target for this year’s Manchester Christmas Dinner – an annual initiative that brings a Christmas day to young care leavers aged 18-25, who would otherwise be alone.   

Initially aiming to hit a target of £3,000, thanks to generous donations, we’ve raised an incredible £3,680. 

In addition, a fundraising raffle that has toured across campus venues in December has also raised close to £600. You can see a list of the lucky winners, below. 

This means we’ve been able to fill every spot at our Christmas table and create a Christmas Day extra special for all 50 care-experienced young people. 

Whilst we’ve exceeded our target, you can still make a donation which go towards making Christmas Day even more special for our young people. You can also still buy a gift for one of our care experienced guests, from the Amazon wishlist.

To join in and make a donation, please visit:

About the Manchester Christmas Dinner 

Founded in 2013 by Lemn Sissay OBE, the Manchester Christmas Dinner is an annual project aimed at giving a festive celebration to young people aged 18-25 who have recently left the care system.  

This event ensures they get a proper festive experience complete with a delicious meal, gifts, and a supportive community. Your donations are key to making this special day possible, offering joy and comfort to those who might otherwise spend the holiday alone. 

Raffle Winners Announced 

As part of the fundraising efforts, a raffle was held with some fantastic prizes. We are pleased to announce the winners: 

  • Jane Antar – wins a special one-of-a-kind handmade quilt 
  • Wendy Hood – wins dinner for six, in the Beehive Cafe 
  • Valerie Francis – wins a night’s stay at the Hyatt, including breakfast 
  • Stan Sumara – also wins a night’s stay and the Hyatt, including breakfast 
  • Poppy Bowers – wins a three-course dinner and bottle of wine for two, at the Hyatt 
  • Judy Zolkiewski - also wins a three-course dinner and a bottle of wine for two, at the Hyatt 
  • Emma Dickson – wins a curry night for four, at the Hyatt 
  • Wayne Scott – also wins a curry night for four, at the Hyatt 
  • Sarah Evans – wins a selection of prizes from The Whitworth (tote bag, art print, art kit) 
  • Ellie Ashworth – wins a ‘Manchester minds’ bicentenary book and, a commemorative bicentenary art tile from The Sculpts 

Congratulations to all our winners! We would like to thank everyone who donated to the dinner and participated in our raffle. Your support is truly appreciated and helps us make a difference in the wider Manchester community.