Stars join Northern mayors as they go head to head in charity DJ battle in Liverpool

ARTISTS, presenters and sporting legends including:- Rebecca Ferguson, Heather Small, John Barnes and Peter Reid are set to join Mayors Steve Rotheram and Andy Burnham for their charity:- 'DJ Battle' in Liverpool next month. This follows their epic encounter in 2023, in Manchester when both claimed victory.

The pair will be taking to the decks again on:- Friday, 2 February 2024, at Camp and Furnace, as the Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester go head to head in a good natured music battle, all for a worthy cause, with proceeding going to local homeless charities.

Ticketholders will be treated to the musical stylings of singers Rebecca Ferguson and Peter Hooton alongside and LFC and England Rapper John Barnes for the home side; and former Corrie actress Sally Lindsay, M-People's Heather Small, and BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Nihal Arthanayake for Greater Manchester, amongst others yet to be announced.

The charity event will be somewhat of a round 3 re-match for the pair, with their 1st clash taking place online during the pandemic and a follow-up in person event in Manchester last December, which raised over £25,000 and (incredibly) won 'Leading Live Event of the Year' at the 2023 This is Manchester Awards.

Proceeds from the night will be distributed between the Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester charities, with all funds supporting initiatives to tackle homelessness and end rough sleeping.

Early-bird tickets for the February fixture are now available with people urged to follow the charities' and the Mayors' social media accounts for further information.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:- "I'm really looking forward to welcoming Andy and the rest of the Greater Manchester contingent to Liverpool - or the UK's cultural capital as I like to call it! We've shown time and again that nowhere can throw a party quite like our area and we've got a fantastic line-up of famous faces joining us on stage for what promises to be an evening full of fun and great music. Most importantly though, it's all in aid of a cause that's very close to all our hearts. Together, we're showing that the North West will always stand united in support of those who need it most."

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester said:- "We're coming back but this time we're heading over to Liverpool. I was so proud of what we achieved with our DJ Battle last year, using the power of music and friendly rivalry to unite behind 1 powerful message, that homelessness has no place in Greater Manchester. It's going to be bigger and better this time round, as we spread the fundraising and ramp up the noise over in Liverpool."

The work of the Mayors is all part of a concerted and creative effort to tackle the challenge of homelessness across the Regions. The current financial crisis is seeing communities facing increasingly tough challenges.

In the Liverpool City Region, Mayor Rotheram is piloting a pioneering new approach to tackling homelessness. Housing 1st has helped hundreds of local people out of homelessness and into a home of their own, with 90% sustaining their tenancy. This is alongside the Region's Assertive Outreach Service which has supported hundreds of people who were rough sleeping or at risk of doing so, helping them into temporary accommodation and providing support around physical and mental health.

Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside distributes funds to charities and community groups in the Liverpool City Region. Their knowledge of the sector allows them to find and reach charities in their community, including lesser-known charities operating at a grass-roots level; ensuring charitable awards create lasting change.

Rae Brooke, Chief Executive of Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside, said:- "We're so pleased to be working with Greater Manchester Mayor's Charity for DJ Battle round 2! It was clearly such a great night last time, and the funds raised were phenomenal. This year, it will be even better and I'm delighted that we can be part of it."

Greater Manchester Mayor's Charity's A Bed Every Night has helped tackle homelessness across the Region ever since its peak in 2017. Since 2020 it's helped nearly 6,000 people, with 2,910 people supported in the last year alone. Currently, there are 658 people in A Bed Every Night who would otherwise be at risk of rough sleeping.

The Greater Manchester Mayor's Charity remain resolute that they can address the challenges against increasing adversity, with campaigns, events and challenges that have to date raised millions.

Tim Heatley, Chair of the Greater Manchester Mayor's Charity, said:- "The last DJ battle was epic. It ramped up the friendly rivalry between the 2 City Regions and saw the Mayors and Region's cheerleaders all giving up their time for a common goal. Music has the power to unite communities and these head-to-heads have shown the willingness of music-lovers to put their hand in their pockets, support a worthy cause and have a great night in the while doing so. We're getting warned up for Liverpool and can't wait to bring the party to the City."

For more information please visit:- CampAndFurnace.Com.

Unbellievable work to restore historic Mersey Ferries fog bell

2 Liverpool City Region Combined Authority apprentices have renovated a 100 year old fog bell at Mersey Ferries Seacombe Terminal and reinvigorated a long forgotten practice.

The Mersey Ferries fog bell, once used to help guide boats to shore in treacherous weather, has been given a new lease of life thanks to the dedication of 2 apprentices who were looking for a real life case study to complete their apprenticeship with the Combined Authority.

Ross Bower, and Craig Hignett, the duo responsible for the mechanical upgrade, have created a video showcasing the hard work they undertook to restore a long forgotten practice that forms yet another layer of the vast and varied history of the Mersey Ferries.

The work, which took several months to complete, involved sourcing antique parts, from specialist sources, and hours of painstaking labour to remove rust and old protective paint, before carrying out intricate work to piece the mechanism back together. That very mechanism has now been tried, tested and placed in a clear Perspex protective case where it will sit proudly for many years to come, and begin to sound the chime of its forgotten history once more.

Councillor Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said:- "Radar has been used for many years, both on and offshore, to keep boats safe in reduced visibility, leaving the bell out of service for decades. It has been a great experience to witness the journey Ross and Craig have been on while restoring the fog bell. They've managed to bring to life a piece of history, as well as earning their apprenticeship which is an impressive outcome and 1 they should be very proud of."

For more information on the Mersey Ferries please visit:- MerseyFerries.Co.UK.