Help crowdfund Manchester Histories DigiFest
06 Aug 2020
Unfortunately due to the COVID-19 pandemic vital funding has been lost
The University of Manchester’s Disabled Staff Network (DSN) is working in partnership with Manchester Histories to host Manchester Histories DigiFest: Celebrating Alf’s Act – 50 Years of Disabled People’s Rights taking place on Friday, 4 and Saturday, 5 September. For further information follow #mcrhistDigiFest2020
At the heart of DigiFest 2020 is the celebration and recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act (1970), a landmark piece of legislation that was pioneered by Lord Alf Morris. A social reformer who was born and lived in Manchester, where he served as MP for Wythenshawe for 33 years.
Due to the pandemic vital funding for the DigiFest has been lost, yet as disabled people are disproportionately affected by COVID-19, the initiative is so important. The DSN has urgently developed a crowdfund in the hope of generating vital funds. Without other sources of funding available, your support is critical to ensure that the event is inclusive and accessible to all.
Get help from an award-winning historian on researching your family tree
Michala Hulme is an award-winning historian/professional genealogist. She’s featured on BBC’s Heir Hunters, Who Do You Think You Are?, Channel 4’s Genealogy Roadshow and more. Michala is offering a remote (e.g. Zoom) session to help you get started on your family tree, or she can help you try to unravel a specific line of enquiry if you have hit a bit of a brick wall. To follow Michala on Twitter go to @unearththepast
Have a character named after you in one of two bestselling novels
Oliver Harris (author of bestselling crime noir novels including Deep Shelter and The Hollow Man) is offering to auction a character in one of his forthcoming books. Would you like a character named after you in a crime thriller? As Oliver says, you could get a gangster named after you but he also says other characters are available. To follow Oliver on Twitter go to @oliharris808
Bestselling novel The Miseducation of Evie Epworth has been selected as a Radio 2 Book Club pick (on Jo Whiley's show to be broadcast on 10th August). This is the brilliant, funny debut novel from Matson Taylor who is currently writing the sequel and has offered a character auction to a bidder. Do you want a character to be named after you in a bestselling novel? To follow Matson on Twitter go to @matson_taylor_
A copy of a bestselling novel with a personalised message
And The Stars Were Burning Brightly is the bestselling Young Adult (YA) novel from Manchester author Danielle Jawando. Set in Manchester and focusing on mental health, Manchester Museum features in this very moving narrative. It has been listed as one of the best YA books to read in 2020 from media around the world including The Guardian, Evening Standard, Irish Times. It's also recently made it to the curriculum in the US. You may receive a copy of this fantastic novel with a personalised message from Danielle in return for a donation. To follow Danielle on Twitter go to @DanielleJawando