Christies – Manchester Day Parade

Commissioned by The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, a specialist hospital, in Manchester, mainly concerned with the treatment of cancer and associated diseases it is one of the largest treatment centres in Europe.

Spacecadets designed and made an oversized hospital bed for the hospital section in the Manchester Day Parade.

More than 70,000 people are estimated to have turned out for the second annual Manchester Day Parade in 2011.

About 96 community groups and 3,000 walkers took part in the carnival that began in 2010 and was thought to have created £4m for Manchester firms.

A galleon, a Lancaster bomber and a giant Gulliver figure were the centrepieces of the parade which had a “voyage of discovery” theme.

Support for the parade “surpassed all expectations” the city council said.

Councillor Mike Amesbury, Manchester City Council‘s executive member for culture and leisure, said: “It was a fantastic display of all the things that makes this city great.

“It was also a great family occasion and a lovely way to celebrate Father’s Day.

“The parade also provides a real boost to city centre businesses, which is incredibly important in these difficult times.”

Councillor Pat Karney, chair of Manchester Day, added: “It felt like there were a million people on the streets. The atmosphere was amazing. Manchester once again came alive for the parade”.

“One of the real highlights for me was seeing tens of thousands of children and young people out on the streets with their families enjoying the spectacle.

“It’s something they will remember for the rest of their lives and helps instil the real sense of pride in our city that makes it the best place in the world to live.”