It was a night of tears and cheers as Manchester’s business community joined forces to raise £63,000 for Cancer Research UK.
More than 350 people packed into Manchester Cathedral to attend last Thursday’s Business Beats Cancer Manchester’s gala dinner.
BusinessCloud were the proud media partner for the event, which was hosted by executive editor Chris Maguire.
Several people shared their stories about how cancer had impacted their lives but how life went on.
Jon Butler, chair of BusinessCloud, said: “The funding will go towards research projects happening right here in Manchester. It was an inspirational night and the stories of hope, emotion and unity will stay with me.
“We are already talking about next year’s event and you can get reserving your tables now for what will be a sell-out. We’ll see you again as our efforts continue in raising more money for vital research happening right here in our city.”
Among the speakers were Nicola Nuttall, whose daughter Laura made global headlines after she created a bucket list after being diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour at the age of 19 and told she had just 12 months to live.
Laura met Michelle Obama; read the weather on BBC North West Tonight; and graduated from University of Manchester, before she died in May 2023 at the age of 23.
Nicola has written a book called ‘The Stars Will Still Be There: A memoir of what my daughter taught he about love, life and loss’ and shared her story,
Business Beats Cancer Manchester’s gala dinner included speeches from Nicola Nuttall; Steve Bland; and Ashley Carter-Lawlor (Liz Henson Photography)
She was joined by Steve Bland, whose first wife Rachael was a BBC presenter and hosted the ‘You, Me and the Big C’ podcast after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016.
She died in 2018 and her husband told the audience how he found happiness again with their son Freddie and with his new wife Amy and their young twins Ruby and Luca.
One of the most moving stories of the night came from entrepreneur Ashley Carter-Lawlor, who battled three different types of cancer before she was 40.
She’s the founder of ADF Events and had her left arm amputated in December 2024 after being diagnosed with a rare cancer called synovial sarcoma.
Sarah Harkness, managing director of IN Accountancy, made an impromptu speech about how Thursday was her first night out after completing her own treatment for breast cancer.
The evening also included live performances from Mancunian writer and poet David Scott – aka Argh Kid – and Franchesqua and Mr Wilson’s Second Liners.
Cancer Research UK scientist Andrew Porter gave a fascinating presentation while the evening ended with an auction expertly hosted by Darren Proctor, of Happy Radio UK.
The night raised £43,000, which was boosted by another £20,000 from the fundraising efforts of Tesco.
Sarah Harkness and Chris Maguire at Business Beats Cancer Manchester’s gala dinner (Liz Henson Photography)
The gala dinner was sponsored by Besseges FM; Hill Dickinson; Sale Sharks; Downing and Leasing.com.
Photos by Liz Henson Photography