Support the Manchester MediCinema Appeal: Join the Fundraising Effort

A major fundraising appeal to bring the magic of the big screen to hospital patients in Manchester has reached a significant milestone, with more than half of the £1.1m needed to build the city’s first in-hospital cinema now raised.

Fronted by Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff and led by Manchester Foundation Trust Charity, the Manchester MediCinema Appeal has now reached £579K – over 50% of its target – bringing the MediCinema one step closer to reality.

The Appeal aims to transform an unused lecture theatre at Manchester Royal Infirmary into a fully accessible, 50-seat MediCinema, delivered in partnership with BAFTA Award-winning charity MediCinema. Once complete, the cinema will serve patients treated across Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust’s Oxford Road Campus, including children and adults at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Manchester Royal Infirmary.

Thanks to the generosity of hundreds of donors from across Greater Manchester and the North West, work is now underway. This includes detailed design, site preparation and works to ensure the space can safely accommodate hospital beds, wheelchairs and medical equipment, ahead of specialist cinema installation.

When complete, the MediCinema is expected to screen up to 260 films each year. Supported by MediCinema nurses and trained volunteers, screenings will offer patients and their families moments of escape, shared experience and comfort during what can be some of the most difficult times of their lives.

The Appeal has already attracted widespread support from individuals, schools, community groups and businesses, alongside high-profile figures from the worlds of sport and entertainment.

Marking the milestone, Andrew Flintoff said: “Passing the halfway point is a huge moment – because it means this is no longer just an idea, it’s actually happening! But we’re not done yet. We still need the people of Manchester to come together to get this over the line and make sure patients in Manchester hospitals get something truly special.”

Andrew’s wife, Rachael Flintoff, who has played a key role in driving the Appeal forward, added: “What makes this Appeal so special is the sense of community behind it.

People have come together in so many different ways – donations, fundraisers, and messages of support – all to bring a little magic to children and adults while they’re in hospital. This next phase is about building on that support and creating something that will be there for families for years to come.”

Kathy Cowell CBE DL, Chair of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We have been absolutely thrilled by the outpouring of support for the MediCinema Appeal so far, and I want to thank every single person or organisation that has helped us get to this point. It really is a powerful demonstration of how much our communities across Greater Manchester care about our patients and their families.

“What’s especially exciting is that this generous support is already allowing work to move forward – and the sooner we reach our target, the sooner we can open the doors and start bringing moments of escape and comfort to our patients when they need them most. Every single donation, no matter how small, will help us make this happen faster, and I’d urge everyone who is able to support the appeal in its final stage to do so. You really will make a difference.”

To donate or find out more – and help bring movie magic to patients in Manchester hospitals as quickly as possible – visit mftcharity.org.uk