Manchester MediCinema Appeal Hits £788,000 Milestone

The Manchester MediCinema Appeal has reached another major milestone, with £788,000 now raised towards its £1.1 million target – bringing the city’s first in-hospital cinema significantly closer to opening its doors.

Andrew and Rachael Flintoff are fronting the Appeal. It is led by Manchester Foundation Trust Charity. This charity raises funds for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust’s family of hospitals. The Appeal will transform an unused lecture theatre at Manchester Royal Infirmary. It will become a fully accessible, 50-seat MediCinema.

Once finished, the cinema will help patients in both Manchester Royal Infirmary and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

The £788,000 milestone marks significant progress in the Appeal’s journey, with building works continuing to move ahead. Specialist adaptations will guarantee the cinema can safely accommodate hospital beds. It will also accommodate wheelchairs and medical equipment. This creates a welcoming, safe, and inclusive space for patients and their families.

When operational, the MediCinema is expected to screen up to 260 films each year. Screenings are supported by trained MediCinema nurses and volunteers. They will offer patients moments of normality and escape. Patients will get time away from the ward with loved ones during long or frequent hospital stays.

The Appeal has already attracted widespread support from individuals, schools, community groups, and businesses. It has also gained backing from well-known figures in sport and entertainment. Most recently, comedian and BRIT Awards host Jack Whitehall has shown his support.

Jack, who hosted the BRITs at the Co-op Live last weekend, traveled to Manchester early especially to headline an exclusive charity comedy gig at the Frog & Bucket on Wednesday 25th February. All proceeds from the ‘Jack Whitehall and Friends’ gig went directly to the MediCinema Appeal, further boosting the funds available to make the cinema a reality.

Rachael Flintoff, who has been instrumental in driving the Appeal forward, said: “The continued generosity we’re seeing is incredible. This Appeal has always been about people coming together to make a difference, and I’m so grateful not only to Jack for offering to do this, but also to Jessica and the team at the Frog & Bucket and the other acts in the event’s lineup (Hayley Ellis, Stephen Bailey, and Dan Nightingale) who have all donated their time for free.

“To get to £788,000 proves what’s possible when everyone comes together, and now we just need one final push to make the MediCinema a reality for patients in Manchester hospitals.”

Kathy Cowell CBE DL, Chair of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, said: “To have reached £788,000 is a remarkable achievement, and I want to sincerely thank every individual, business, school, and community group that has supported the Appeal so far.

“This milestone brings us another step closer to creating a space that will offer comfort, distraction, and a chance for our patients and their families to spend time together away from the ward.

“The impact of this cinema will go far, far beyond entertainment. It will offer moments of relief, togetherness, and normality at times when they are needed most.

“As we enter this final phase of the Appeal, every single donation, no matter its size, will help us open the doors sooner and start delivering those vital moments of movie magic for our patients. Please, in whatever way you can, show your support today and help us make this happen.”

To donate or find out more – and help bring movie magic to Manchester hospitals – visit mftcharity.org.uk now.