United We Stream raised over £260,000, just 30 days after the innovative project was launched by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).
Created by Night-Time Economy Adviser Sacha Lord, the GMCA, and local and national partners, United We Stream is free to view, but with donations welcome. All proceeds go to the city-region’s night-time economy, cultural organisations and charities.
United We Stream kicked off on Friday 3 April, and milestone achievements since then include:
- Raising over £260,000 in one month
- Eight million people have an awareness of the brand, with over four million viewers
- More than 100 globally renowned artists and local breakthrough talent have performed for free on United We Stream
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said: “The success of United We Stream has surpassed our hopes. I cannot begin to say how pleased we are with the success of this ongoing fundraising project.
“To have reached the number of people we have, with brilliant content, production, social media and the Stay At Home message has been fantastic. We all love visiting our favourite music venues, bars and restaurants, and the money raised here will go some way to helping them stay alive and to be there when lockdown restrictions are lifted.
“I want to say a massive thank you to our Night-Time Economy Adviser, Sacha Lord, and the small but brilliant team behind the scenes who produce and manage the United We Stream Greater Manchester platform. Most importantly, I want to say a very heartfelt thank you to every single person that has donated; not just the generosity and spirit of Greater Mancunians, but the supporters from all around the world!
“As well as helping our local night-time and creative industries, it’s great to give funding for Nordoff Robbins, a national music therapy charity who have a base in Greater Manchester, and offer music therapy for those affected by life-limiting illness, isolation or disability.
“From a Greater Manchester perspective, I’m thrilled that some of the money that has been raised will go towards fighting homelessness in the city-region, something I know all of us care about deeply here.
“United We Stream Greater Manchester will continue to stream fantastic Mancunian content, and entertain us throughout all of the social distancing and lockdown measures, and we hope it will continue as an arts, culture and music platform well in to the future.”
All income from the stream goes directly to a relief fund, with 8% of funds raised donated to Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Charity, 22% donated to the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s Charity, and 70% of all funding generated going specifically to support Greater Manchester’s night-time economy, including music venues, restaurants, bars, freelancers and cultural organisations who are unable to work, or operate their businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.