The Diane Modahl Sports Foundation ‘City of Champions’ gala dinner is an annual event that aims to acknowledge and celebrate the success of people in the areas of sport, education and business, who are giving back to the next generation of champions.
Manchester City Council in partnership with the official charity partner the Diane Modahl Sports Foundation aredelighted to announce that this year’s inductees, who will stand alongside previous inductees including Beth Tweddle MBE, Col. Dame Kelly Holmes, Rio Ferdinand, Tracey Neville MBE and Sir Chris Hoy, will include England Women’s Football Captain Stephanie Houghton MBE; CEO of leading, social-first marketing agency Social Chain and award-winning entrepreneur, StevenBartlett; and British Professional boxer and sporting legend, Ricky Hatton MBE.
At last year’s event the Foundation introduced the B Inspired Award that recognises and awards a hidden gem who has made an impact or contribution to the development of expressive art. Last year grime artist Bugzy Malone received the Award, one of the most successful independent artists in the UK, with almost 250m streams & nearly 200,000 album sales to date.
The 2019 B Inspired award will go to lead dancer [in Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance] and former world champion, James Keegan, who will also perform at the event. James’s achievements continue to inspire a new generation of artists.
Organised by Olympian Diane Modahl MBE, the Diane Modahl Sports Foundation, (DMSF) and Manchester City Council, the evening offers local businesses the chance to rub shoulders and dine with sportsmen and women from a number of fields. The North West-based charity champions young people from disadvantaged areas in the region and aims to help empower them in all areas of life.
Co-founder and CEO of DMSF, Diane Modahl, said: “I am extremely honoured to announce, on behalf of the official charity partner the Diane Modahl Sports Foundation and the City of Manchester, that Stephanie Houghton MBE, Steven Bartlett and Ricky Hatton MBE will be inducted into the City of Champions Hall of Fame in October.
“All our inductees are truly inspirational, passing on vital messages of ambition and resilience. These messages have the opportunity to resonate with young people because of the impact, successes and focus they have demonstrated. All three have proven that anyone can achieve their own ambitions, no matter how big their dreams are.”
Andy Burnham Mayor of Greater Manchester said: “I’m extremely proud that the city of Manchester are to induct Stephanie Houghton MBE, Steven Bartlett and Ricky Hatton MBE into the City of Champions Hall of Fame. This event recognises and celebrates those individuals whose impact across Greater Manchester has shaped not only our way of lives, but globally. More importantly their success have provided opportunities that drive not only this wonderful city forward, but their generosity to give back will continue to support the next generation.
“It’s also important to recognise individuals who are just starting on their own journeys, a generation of emerging champions who are coming through and seeking their own opportunity to make a difference.
The Gala Dinner will be a winner on both fronts – for those at the very top of their fields and those who are just waiting for their chance to be seen and heard”.
This year the star-studded event will take place at HiltonManchester Deansgate on 31st October, and will be hosted by BBC broadcaster Will Perry, who is returning for a second year.
