Airports

Manchester Airport teams up with charity in bid to raise cash

Manchester Airport has teamed up with the charity Reuben’s Retreat, to launch a special prize draw, called Challenge 23, in a bid to raise £23,000 for the charity with 23 prizes to giveaway.

Challenge 23 will be an online draw, launching on 23rd November with tickets costing £5. It will run for 23 weeks, with actress and charity patron Julie Hesmondhalgh (Coronation Street, Broadchurch, Doctor Who), picking the winner next year.

Julie Hesmondhalgh joined the Reuben’s Retreat team and staff from Manchester Airport to launch the campaign this week. Highlights and more information can be seen here on this video: https://youtu.be/Y5CwNpFGF1k

Julie said: “Reuben’s Retreat is such a worthwhile cause that does so much good work here in the North, but also for families across the UK.

“Nicola and her team have already started the transformation of the hospital but initiatives like Challenge 23 will bring the vision a step closer. It’s great to have Manchester Airport onboard to help deliver such a great competition, which I urge everyone to enter.”

Based in the North West, Reuben’s Retreat was founded by Nicola Graham after the death of her son Reuben, at just 23 months old. Therefore, the number 23 is so important to the charity.

Over the last six years the team has so far raised sufficient funds to purchase Wood’s hospital in Glossop. The building dates back to 1889 and it is also where Manchester painter LS Lowry died. They have supported 643 individuals and completed three phases of a multi million-pound 10 phase renovation scheme.

Reuben’s Retreat will eventually be a facility for families to come to for holidays. Their vision is;- Walking side-by-side, offering emotional and practical support to families bereaved of a child or those that have a life limited/threatened child and may face an uncertain future.

Enabling them to create memories cocooned in the sanctuary of Reuben’s Retreat underpinned by our army of love and compassionate hearts.

Nicola Graham, Reuben’s Mummy and Founder said: “I am so delighted and thankful that  Manchester Airport has got onboard with Reuben’s Retreat and sees our vision.

“Challenge 23 is going to be a great competition where hopefully we will raise £23,000 over the next 23 weeks. The money raised will play a large part in the transformation of the space here, allowing children and families the opportunity to relax recharge remember and rebuild at their time of need.”

Patrick Alexander, Manchester Airport’s Head of Marketing said: “During our 80th year we have reached out to lots of partners, airlines, schools, organisations and community groups as we have celebrated our milestone birthday.

We met the Reuben’s Retreat team at a recent travel industry event and after a visit to the site jointly came up with the Challenge 23 idea.

I am hoping we raise much more than £23,000 as the money is going to such a worthwhile cause that benefits families not just near Manchester Airport, but across the whole of the UK.”

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