Boothstock charity fundraiser for the homeless to take place in aid of The Booth Centre
- Homeless figures continue to rise in the city
- Boothstock is being held to raise money for the Manchester charity
Homelessness figures for Manchester show a rise of 41% compared to the previous year.
This figure has quadrupled since 2010 and means that Manchester has the highest rate of rough sleepers in the North West.
Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, recently announced plans to drive down homelessness in Manchester by 2020.
Many charities and organisations are working alongside the mayor try to combat the plague of homelessness in Manchester.
Manchester-based charity, The Booth Centre, a day centre that offers advice, activities and support to homeless people in Manchester, is one of the organisations making a change for the homeless.
Philip Marzouk, 29, of Chorlton, is raising money for the centre for the second year running after organising an event called BoothStock, a one-day festival featuring live art, music and DJs.
He said: “If you get a lot of people having a good time at an event for a cause, then people will start to think about the issue in hand.
“It’s impossible not to notice the amount of people sleeping rough. It doesn’t take a genius to notice there is a massive problem for people not being cared for.”
Also taking part in the event is Manchester-based artist Amy Coney, 30, who said: “ It’s really important to look at the reasoning behind why people are homeless. It’s so significant to give rehabilitation and to treat that person as an individual. People need more than blanket care and charities such as the Booth centre help this happen.”
David Hopkins 34, treasurer of the Carlton Club in Chorlton where Boothstock is taking place, said: “With regards to Boothstock, I know the Booth Centre and anything the Carlton Club can do to support their setup we will try to do, because it’s the right thing to do.”
The event takes place on 26 May at the club in Carlton Road, with the hope of raising more funds to finally lower the homeless struggles that those face in the city of Manchester and eventually throughout the region.