City star Kompany helping to tackle homelessness

Vincent Kompany and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham have teamed up to launch an unprecedented campaign that will tackle rough sleeping in the city-region.

Tackle4MCR, a fundraising vehicle, has been set up by the pair in a bid to create a social movement.

With Kompany currently celebrating his Testimonial season at Manchester City, he has pledged to make use of the momentum generated by this to assist the Mayor with one of his top priorities.

Last night members of Manchester’s business community gathered in the city to signal the launch of a campaign.

During the event at Manchester House, both Burnham and Kompany described ‘Tackle4MCR’ as a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to influence social change at a time when it is most needed.

And they urged those ‘with a big heart for Manchester and the means to make a difference’ to become Gold or Platinum Partners of Tackle4MCR.  

Businesses and individuals have already expressed interest in becoming part of the Tackle4MCR movement.

Those who do sign up to Tackle4MCR will follow a considered approach spanning the full length of the football season, incorporating a unique gala dinner, a participative city-wide #FootballFriday campaign, with an important awareness element around rough sleeping aimed at schools, culminating in a rare testimonial gala match at the Etihad Stadium following the close of the 2018/19 season and courtesy of Manchester City.

Funding raised for Tackle4MCR - a special fundraising vehicle with a social purpose that has been set up in the form of a limited company for one year by Andy and Vincent – will go to the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s Homelessness Fund.

The Mayor’s Fund is turning all of its efforts towards ensuring that every rough sleeper has a bed every night of the week over this coming winter. 

The funds raised by Tackle4MCR will play a key part in delivering this ambition. 

Kompany is now hoping ‘Initial Partners’ will join them in tackling the problem of rough-sleeping and be part of their team from the very beginning.

Speaking after the Tackle4MCR launch event at Manchester House, he said: “I’ve received much from Manchester: a great career at the highest level, unconditional support from the fans through thick and thin, a lovely family and so much more to be grateful for.

“Over the past decade I’ve been lucky to have witnessed and played a part in Manchester City’s rise as a club and a brand. This has also run parallel alongside the rise of a whole region.

“However, with this spectacular rise, comes a very visible downside: more and more people are left out of and have no access to the benefits of the rapid development, often leaving them no choice but to end up on the streets.”

Tackle4MCR pledges to keep its running cost under 25% of all money collected during the campaign.

Every penny of Tackle4MCR charity funds will be managed by the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s Homelessness Fund. 

The Fund will utilise the money raised efficiently and transparently to support the ‘A Bed Every Night’ action plan.

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