Stone Roses' Mani and his wife Imelda gear up for superstar auction and event in aid of Maggie's charity

On Thursday, September 14, a very special fundraising cabaret will take place at The Edwardian Radisson in Manchester.

Curated by Manchester music legend Gary Mani Mounfield, his wife Imelda and their team, the cabaret promises an evening of excellent entertainment featuring music, poetry, comedy, and cartoons, plus a DJ set from Mani himself!

There will also be the opportunity to bid on several auction lots donated by bands, footballers, actors, venues and promoters, as well as the chance to win some fantastic raffle prizes.

Hosted by broadcast, writer and presenter Terry Christian, the event will also feature a live auction hosted by Adam Partridge Auctioneers and Valuers that will run simultaneously online in the room to make it accessible to people all over the world.

Adam is a familiar face on TV, appearing as an expert on Bargain Hunt, Cash in the Attic, Flog it! and Dickinson's Real Deal.

All proceeds from the cabaret and auction will go to Maggie's charity, who have supported Imelda and Mani during Imelda's cancer treatment.

Imelda said: "Maggie's charity has supported us from the start, with counselling and using resources to help explain to our children the enormity of cancer and its effects on the whole family.

"It's a continuing battle for me, and I'll be using their services more in the future."

Maggie's has more than 25 years of experience providing free cancer support and information in centres across the UK, including the one in Oldham.

Built within the grounds of NHS cancer hospitals, the centres are warm and welcoming and run by expert staff who help people live well with cancer.

The first centre opened in Edinburgh in 1996. Maggie's now has 24 centres in the UK and a growing international network.

Maggie's Manchester Centre Head and Clinical Psychologist Robin Muir said: "We are so grateful that Mani and Imelda have chosen to organise this event to raise funds for Maggie's.

"It sounds like it will be a spectacular evening and, as we rely almost entirely on voluntary donations, will help us to help many more people with cancer from across the Manchester region.

"As Imelda knows we provide free vital psychological, practical and emotional support to help people at what is possibly the hardest time of their lives – I can't thank them enough."

Imelda and Mani have received lots of fantastic donations to support the event, including a Stone Roses' lemon front bass drum head used by Reni at their legendary gigs at Heaton Park, which the band has signed, renowned artist Peter Savile's original cassette artwork for Joy Division's seminal Unknown Pleasures album, Zak and Ringo Star's signed snare drum head, Stone Roses drummer Reni's signed drumsticks, David Beckham's signed boots he wore for the last match of his career on May 18, 2013 for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), a Platinum disc of The Jam's Snap album, plus several signed football shirts.

Anyone can bid for these items online.

The cabaret will include spoken word and indie hip-hop artist Antony Szmierek.

There'll be plenty of comedy throughout the evening from: Cold Feet and The Fast Show star John Thomson, a clairvoyant, medium and psychic best known for his appearances on Peter Kay's award-winning Phoenix Nights Clinton Baptiste; the 'Godfather of Comedy on the Manchester circuit' Smug Roberts.

There will also be live music from Ocean Colour Scene's Simon Fowler and Oscar Harrison, who will perform an acoustic set.

Mod-influenced singer/guitarist Kevin Iverson will also be playing some tunes, as well as Mary Pearce, whose powerful soulful vocals can be heard backing many music legends, including Lionel Richie, Chaka Khan, Courtney Pine, Mica Paris, Beverley Knight, Donna Summer, Roy Ayres and Primal Scream.

During the evening, Cartoonist Tony Husband will open up his Cartoon Confessional Box, where people will 'confess their sins in exchange for a cartoon.

Tickets will be sold per table with 10 people on each table.

The ticket price will include a welcome drink, a three-course meal, and table wine for each guest.

Once guests are seated and ready to dine, they will be entertained throughout the evening with music, poetry and comedy.

There will be a break for the raffle and auction.

Tickets for the event are now on sale from the website: imeldaandmanifundraiser.com

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