Greater Manchester launches oneGM campaign to bring together people and businesses

A new campaign to unite Greater Manchester has been launched today, called oneGM.

oneGM brings together the public, private, sport, cultural, faith, and VCSE sectors across the city-region in the face of ongoing Covid restrictions. The campaign aims to provide help and support beyond the package offered by the UK government, in recognition of the hardship many may be facing over the winter.

At a launch event, Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, restated his commitment to supporting those whose livelihoods have been affected directly by the Tier 3 restrictions, in particular, the lowest-paid workers, businesses forced to close and the many self-employed and freelance workers. Bringing together money from the public sector, private business and charity donations, oneGM will provide a package of support for those most in need.

Members of the public can donate to local charities and voluntary organisations through the oneGM campaign on the Mayor’s Charity website.

Andy Burnham also confirmed that Greater Manchester is likely to receive at least £65m from the Government which will include backdating of financial support for businesses when the city-region was effectively in Tier 2 from the end of July. This figure is in addition to the £22m from Government for local test and trace and enforcement.

Mayor Andy Burnham said:

A lot has been asked of the people of Greater Manchester from lockdown in March to effectively living in Tier 2 restrictions since the end of July and then Tier 3 restrictions since last Friday. While we didn’t get all the support from Government we asked for, I want to reassure everyone that I will do everything I can to help those suffering from hardship so people can live their lives with as much dignity and comfort they deserve.

“However, I can’t do this all on my own; it’s a partnership across our sectors in Greater Manchester. I’m humbled to see so many people come together under the oneGM campaign to unite the city-region and provide whatever support people need. We are all committed to making sure our economy and people come out of this pandemic ready to thrive and I hope others will join us too.”

Andy Burnham was joined at the oneGM launch event by a host of local business, charity and cultural figures who showed their support of the campaign, including:

• Chris Oglesby, CEO of Bruntwood
• former Manchester United footballer and businessman, Gary Neville
• award-winning actor, Julie Hesmondhalgh
• Right Reverend Dr David Walker, Bishop of Manchester
• Lucy Danger, CEO of EMERGE which runs FareShare Greater Manchester
• Olympian Diane Modahl, Chair of the Greater Manchester Young Person’s Task Force and Trustee of the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity
• Karina Jadhav, Founder and Owner, Menagerie bar and restaurant
• Liz Taylor, CEO of corporate events company TLC Ltd.