More details have been revealed for the Business Beats Cancer Manchester’s gala dinner this week.
More than 350 people are expected to attend the fundraising dinner at Manchester Cathedral on Thursday March 27th , 2025.
The event, which will be hosted by BusinessCloud’s executive editor Chris Maguire, will include several special guest appearances.
They include Nicola Nuttall (pictured), whose daughter Laura made global headlines after she created a bucket list after being diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour 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.
Her Mum 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 will be sharing her story.
She’ll be 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 will talk about how he’s found happiness again with their son Freddie and with his new wife Amy and their young twins Ruby and Luca.
They’ll be joined by entrepreneur Ashley Carter-Lawlor, who is only 30 but has battled three different types of cancer.
She’s the founder of ADF Events and had left arm amputated in December 2024 after being diagnosed with a rare cancer called synovial sarcoma.
The evening will also include live performances from Mancunian writer and poet David Scott – aka Argh Kid – and Franchesqua and Mr Wilson’s Second Liners.
Attendees will have the chance of winning a diamond necklace worth £10k for the price of a £50 raffle ticket.
Jon Butler, chairman of the Business Beats Cancer Manchester and CEO of creative and performance marketing agency TrunkBBI, said it promises to be an unforgettable dinner.
He said: “Cancer affects nearly one in two people and we’re going to hear from some truly inspirational speakers.
“Our gala dinner is our main fundraising activity of the year and there are still tables available so I would urge Manchester’s businesses to play their part in the fight against cancer by booking a table.”
The gala dinner has been sponsored by Besseges FM; Hill Dickinson; Sale Sharks; and Downing.
You can find more information about how to good tickets here