Stone Roses’ Mani and his wife raise over £80k for cancer charities in star-studded auction

Stone Roses bassist Mani has raised over £80 thousand for The Christie and Stockport NHS in a charity auction that included big-ticket items such as David Beckham’s football boots and Liam Gallagher’s NME award.

The legendary Manchester musician has been fundraising and raising awareness of bowel cancer since his wife, Imelda Mounfield, was diagnosed with the stage-four disease in 2020. The cancer has since spread to her lung and liver, and she has had to have the right side of her liver removed.

The Christie and Stockport NHS have helped her throughout her treatment, which is why the cause is so close to the couple’s heart.

Imelda said: "Both charities have supported me through my journey. Cancer affects not just the person who has it, but everyone around them, and I hope that by investing in some more research, we can help alleviate some of the devastation caused to families."

The charity auction kicked off on 18 November at the Kimpton Clocktower Ballroom during a star-studded event that raised an additional £24 thousand.

There were some impressive lots on the auction list, such as guitars donated by Damon Albarn, Arctic Monkeys, Primal Scream, Foo Fighters, Peter Hook, and The Who, as well as Liam Gallagher’s 2022 NME award for ‘Music Moment of the Year,’ which sold for £4,100.

Noel Gallagher also donated, with his framed and signed set of six platinum discs for the album “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?”, which went for £8,00. David Beckham’s signed boots worn in the last match of his career sold for £6,800.

The biggest earner, however,  came from Mani’s bandmate John Squire, whose Jackson Pollock-inspired painted and signed Hofner guitar went for £16,800.

Louise Stimson, head of fundraising at The Christie Charity, said: "We’re really touched that Imelda’s experiences as a patient have spurred her and Mani into action for our charity, helping us provide more support to patients like her."

Karen James OBE, chief executive for Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, said, "We’re hugely grateful to Imelda and Mani’s efforts in organising the fundraising event and auction.

“We’re proud of the care Imelda and many others with cancer have received at Stepping Hill Hospital. This fundraiser for our charity is a really touching display of her thanks, which will help us go on to support more patients in the future."