At the launch of the new #oneGM initiative today, Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, said that it was about "moving beyond the arguments that have been had in recent days...it's about creating a new mood, a more positive, practical mood in Greater Manchester, expressing to people that we will do whatever we can to support them..."
Positively backing the #oneGM initiative, Gary Neville, Salford City FC co-owner, hotelier, and developer, was, however, still carrying on the argument, comparing his own failed football management experience at Valencia to the Government's COVID-19 botch-ups...
"The hospitality industry at this moment in time absolutely ravaged" said Neville "If the Government were a coaching staff of a football team...they're changing the system every single week, they're changing the tactics every single week and the players don't quite know what they're doing; and we're the players. I know that from a good experience in Valencia, when you don't quite have sound tactics.
"So we're a little confused" he understated "I think the people of Greater Manchester in the last few weeks felt very proud by its leaders in terms of demonstrating that resilience and that robustness, and the fact that we're just not going to accept what's occurring at this moment in time. We feel hard done to...we want to be treated fairly..."
He explained that the Albert Hall in London can host spectator events but football clubs can't; while he failed to see the difference in pubs shutting at 10.1pm and 9:01pm.
"The inconsistent and reactive direction that we're under at this time is draining the confidence of us all, it's confusing us all and we have to find a sustainable way forward" he added, noting that while health should be put first, the economic consequences were causing "distress and harm" to people's lives...
"Standing still is not an option" he argued "Protect those who need it and find a way to move forward because if we stand still the impact will be devastating, maybe for the next 12 years."
The #oneGM initiative was building upon and taking inspiration from the campaign by Man United's Marcus Rashford to feed hungry children this half term. And, for those who say that the England striker should concentrate on his football, Gary Neville also had an answer...
"I would probably say that he should concentrate more on the work that he's doing off the pitch because it will have a far greater impact" he said "I remember people saying that to David Beckham thirty years ago, 'Concentrate on your football'...but you look at the impact he's had globally for English football and for England. Football players should never be told just to concentrate on what's on the pitch; they should also with the spare time that they have in the afternoons be doing the good that they are doing. Marcus is doing an incredible job.
"Marcus is not asking a lot" he added "He's asking for them to have the very basics in life, which is something to eat at lunchtime in the school holidays. How incredible is it that we're actually even discussing this, let alone debating it?"
Indeed today's launch was all about building on the good that people have been doing during the coronavirus crisis. On one hand, the #oneGM initiative is about supporting people, businesses and the voluntary sector impacted by local lockdowns and restrictions; while on the other calling for individuals and businesses to help where they can...
.
"We recognise that people will be feeling pretty uncertain this week as we go into the reality of Tier 3, and some people will be worrying about how they are going to make ends meet, or wondering about the future viability of their businesses" explained Andy Burnham "So we thought it was important to step into this void and offer some reassurance to people that help is going to be at hand and we're going to mobilise whatever we can to carry people through" .
Supporting the GM were a host of people from all walks of life in Greater Manchester – from Salford business owner, Karina Jadhav, to the Bishop of Manchester, Dr David Walker, to actress, Julie Hesmondhalgh, and former ace athlete Diane Modahl, now Chair of the Greater Manchester Young Person's Task Force and a trustee of the Greater Manchester Mayor's Charity.
Karina, owner of the Menagerie in New Bailey, told of "a wave of customer uncertainty and that has hit trade again very hard" since the 10pm curfew was imposed on hospitality settings, despite restaurants being "safe places to visit and COVID secure" and that "statistics reinforce that message". She called for the curfew to be removed and support put in place for affected workers.
Chris Oglesby, Chief Executive of Bruntwood, underlined the sentiments, calling for messages to go out to the public that businesses can trade safely, and a road map to navigate a way out of Tier 3 restrictions.
Julie Hesmondhalgh, described as "a Greater Manchester treasure" by Andy Burnham, talked of the "vital contribution of the arts and culture to the mental wellbeing of nation, the globe and our region", and urged people to visit venues that are open in the region, "surviving against the odds". She also spoke of the freelance community falling through the gaps of Government support, and asked authorities to "utilise our creativity in helping to heal and rebuild our region".
Dr David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, also spoke of the need to keep places of worship open, and offered continued use of the Church's buildings, staff and volunteers to help out during the crisis.
Diane Modahl talked about the Young Person's Guarantee, a set of commitments with the focus on COVID, that is about keeping young people connected, staying well, preparing for transitions in and out of work and education, and reducing economic inequalities. She also asked people to continue supporting the GM Mayor's Charity campaign that aims to support ending homelessness and rough sleeping in the region.
The final speaker at the #oneGM launch was Lucy, CEO of EMERGE and FareShare, who hosted Marcus Rashford and his mum at a food bank depot in Wythenshawe this week.
The demand for food from FareShare, she said, had "gone through the roof", with one thousand tons of food distributed during the four months since the March lockdown, with 42 tons per week on average now.
She said that she was still fearful that some of children are going to still be going hungry over this half term but "We need to make sure that doesn't happen over the Christmas period and going forward, and, hopefully, Marcus will, keep the pressure on..."
While Marcus Rashford campaigns for the Government to sort its head out, this new #oneGM campaign is meeting what Andy Burnham called the "unmet need", despite the Government coughing up the £65million asked for by Greater Manchester, once the backdated Tier 2 aid is taken into account...
"Health must come first but health is about more than just controlling the virus" he explained "We've got to have a wider regard for people's mental health and wellbeing. If people are worrying today because they've only got two thirds of their wages we need to be able to give an answer to them.
"We are 'One Greater Manchester' family and we are going to do whatever we can to help people" he added "We are asking people to step forward too, any business any individual...we've seen it with Marcus' campaign in recent days; people are there, they want to help. #oneGM is about bringing it together and making it as effective as possible..."
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
(3).jpeg)
.png)
(1).JPG)
