Greater Manchester Pulls Together to Raise £38,000 to Help End Homelessness

Our third annual Bus Pull took place on 5th August – and this year’s event was our biggest yet, raising an incredible £38,686 (and counting!) to support people experiencing homelessness across the city-region. 

Held at Manchester Central, the event brought together hundreds of brave contenders across 55 teams, each going head-to-head in a friendly, but fiercely competitive challenge to pull a bus 30 metres in the fastest time. 

Team Metroline were the ones to beat, pulling the bus in just 20.06 seconds, setting a new all-time record for the event and landing themselves the title of ‘Greater Manchester’s strongest team’. 

But the day was about far more than competition. The festival atmosphere kept spirits high with live performances and DJ sets from XI Records and Manchester DJs, fairground games, including an 11-foot high strength tester, and complimentary massages from YOLO Wellbeing for those feeling the post-pull burn. 

But that’s not all. Nell’s Pizza provided ice cream sandwiches, and Junction offered half-price drinks for participants, a well-earned reward enjoyed by many. 

Mayor of Greater Manchester and Patron of the Charity, Andy Burnham, attended the event to cheer on teams, and even had a pull himself!   

Mayor Andy Burnham said:  

“This is Greater Manchester in action. Everyone pulling together, it’s fantastic to see! Thanks to your efforts we have already raised enough funding to support 1000 nights for people who need our support in A Bed Every Night.   

No other city-region does what we do. We have a principle here that no one should have to spend a night on the street...where everyone can at least have a roof over their head. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”   

Funds raised throughout the day will help support the Charity’s flagship programme, A Bed Every Night, a life-changing scheme that helps people get away from the streets and back on their feet. More than just a bed, it provides vital wrap-around, person-centred support that lifts and rebuilds people.   

Our CEO, Fran Darlington-Pollock said:   

“What an incredible day! This year’s Bus Pull was our biggest yet with more teams, more energy, and even more funds raised. I know the final count is looking to hit in at £40k, so watch this space! That’s a huge amount of funding to provide some certainty to the organisations we support in A Bed Every Night. They’re on the frontline of an avoidable crisis which Greater Manchester is pushing against.   

This money for Bed Every Night means more people off the streets and on the path to a safe and secure future.   

Once again, our city-region has shown what’s possible when we come together. Thank you to everyone who pulled, donated, and supported the event. Together, we can end homelessness.”  

A huge thank you to all the organisations across Greater Manchester who made this event possible. Special thanks to our headline sponsors, Willmott Dixon and We Are Footprint, as well as Nell’s Pizza, YOLO Wellbeing, Dishoom, Blue Bee Sneaker Care, AO Arena, XI Records, Manchester DJs, Manchester Central, Diamond, Go North West, First Bus, and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.