Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham made an emotional speech paying tribute to the Stone Roses as he attended a huge fundraiser organised by the Manchester band's legendary bass player Mani and wife Imelda. Andy was a guest at the event attended by over 700 people on Friday night in Manchester.
The event was organised to raise money for The Christie hospital and Stockport NHS Charity after Imelda's diagnosis with bowel cancer two years ago.
GM mayor Andy introduced the night with his heart-felt speech in which he outlined just how significant the Stone Roses had been in his life.
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Andy started his speech by thanking guests for supporting the charities involved at the fundraiser. He said: "There isn't anyone in this room who hasn't been touched by The Christie - what a job they do - and it's just amazing that Imelda and Mani are putting on this event tonight, giving back to our National Health Service, that's what Manchester is all about."
But then he continued to tell the audience his own personal connection to the Stone Roses. He credited atteding the Stone Roses gig at the Empress Ballroom in 1989 as "changing everything" for him.
He said: "I'm going to finish by saying something to you, Mani because I'm sure, like a lot of people in this room, back in the 80s when things weren't so great, I remember doing my first job back in 1989.
"For me, I was working in the city in the summer and it was just a few months after Hillsborough, which knocked the stuffing out of me. I was kind of thinking 'are we are 2nd class citizens in the north west' and you know what I then got a ticket to The Empress Ballroom, Blackpool in August '89 and that changed everything for me.
"I'd like to say to you, Mani and to Ian, to Reni and to John - and to everyone who was a part of it all then - a massive 'thank you' because you said that we could be better than we were, and that the North of England shouldn't always be expecting the worst and we could be proud and that we were going somewhere.
"I don't think I'd be standing here today if it wasn't for the hope that you gave us back then so I want to thank you for what you did for us - you gave the North of England a bit of pride and something for us to believe in when we needed it, and that was down to you."
He concluded with a rallying call for everyone to support the online auction that was launched on the night - and that continues now online until December 1. The incredible auction has seen many of Mani and Imelda's friends from the world of showbiz donating rare items to help with the fundraising effort.
That includes David Beckham's signed football boots, worn at his last ever match for PSG in May 2013; John Squire's hand-painted and signed Hofner guitar; a vintage 1966 Vespa 150 Sprint scooter; a 7-night 5* holiday in The Maldives, Noel Gallagher's personal 6 x Platinum 'What's the Story Morning Glory' album presentation framed discs and Damon Albarn's signed Taylor guitar.
Andy concluded his speech saying: "I also want to thank you all for supporting this event tonight ~ being here matters and we're going to say loud and proud, we love you, Mani; we love you Imelda; and we love our National Health Service and we're proud of it!"
The ball in the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel ballroom in Manchester, hosted by John Robb, saw a host of star guests and performances. That included from Danielle Moore (Crazy P), Happy Mondays legend Rowetta, The Tall Faces, The Rock Pigs and surprise guest Mick Head.
There were DJ sets from Mani himself as well as Clint Boon and Luke Una. There was also live art on the night from Art Battle artists Michael Browne, Rob Wilson and Ben Rock Wills.
The event also took place during Mani's birthday week. He said of organising the event: "When life deals you a pair of twos, you have to get your game face on! These past two years since Imelda's diagnosis have been brutal in so many ways, but it's also opened our eyes to so many things.
"This disease needs to be eradicated ~ we feel duty-bound to do our bit to achieve this. So, everybody get on board, dig deep, help out. We will win!"
The online auction is live now, and you can place your bids online here until December 1.
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