Parklife Festival raises over £80,000 for Manchester’s community groups

A Parklife funding campaign has generated £81,750 for community groups based around Heaton Park – a 71% increase on previous years’ efforts.

Contributions made by guestlist attendees and donations to charities via festival tickets increased hugely in 2021 – meaning there is more money than ever to give back to local communities.

Working with local councils in Manchester, Bury and Rochdale, the Parklife Community Fund works to support projects that benefit parks, open spaces, and young people – and now has opened up applications for locals to receive grants up to £5,000.

Prestwich Councillor Alan Quinn, Bury Council’s cabinet member for the environment and climate change, said: “It’s important that local people and businesses also benefit from having these events on their doorstep.”

“In 2016 I asked Parklife to set up a community fund, and this year the fund stands at £27,000 which is a great sum and gives local groups and charities the opportunity to bid this money The amount available for each project remains at £2000.

“However, tthis year due to the fact there was an extra concert we argued for more funding, so, this year an extra £24,500 is available split between Manchester and Prestwich to bid for.”

It is the fifth year that the Parklife Community Fund has made financial contributions to local groups.

The total number of projects supported last year was 51, up from 20 in 2019 – showing that the reach of the fund continues to grow year on year, despite the pandemic hitting Manchester’s nightlife and festival scene hard.

Applications for 2022 are now open and groups will be notified by the end of February 2022 of the outcome.

Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar, Manchester City Council’s executive member for Neighbourhoods said: “By hosting events such as Parklife, which bring people to Heaton Park from far and wide, there must be real and tangible benefits for residents.”

I would urge any residents or groups with a project in mind which might enhance their local area to make their application as soon as possible.”

Grants will be awarded at an event in Prestwich towards the end of February. To find out more about the fund and how to apply for a grant, visit the Parklife Community Fund website here.

Featured Image – Parklife