User:Urbanfox73/Sparkle (charity)

Sparkle is a UK trans charity. Sparkle organises the Sparkle Weekend celebration in July each year, and throughout the year holds events for fundraising and trans awareness.

Sparkle's aim is to promote a positive image of trans during the celebration and in the media, and provide a safe place for people to express themselves as trans. Sparkle is an inclusive charity and event for the trans community - including transsexual, transvestite, crossdresser, bi-gender, genderqueer, FTM, MTF, and intersex.

Trustees
Jenny-Anne Bishop, Tony Cooper, Richard Fox (chair), Mary Lunan, Jane Owen, Karen Richards and Debbie Roberts

Sparkle Celebration
In July 2014, Sparkle welcomed over 4,500 people to celebrate - making Sparkle the largest free trans event in the world.

The Sparkle event attracts trans people and trans allies locally and from around the world, showcases trans and trans ally entertainment during the weekend, and hosts free education and talks on trans related issues.

The celebration takes place in Sackville Gardens, in Manchester's gay village. The choice of this venue provides a safe place for trans people. The event has the support from Manchester Council and local businesses. In 2015, Sparkle will host a fringe event to share in the Sparkle Celebration, as well as the extended format of Sparkle in the Park over Saturday and Sunday.

The Sparkle Celebration is estimated to bring £2.2M to the local Manchester economy during the Sparkle Weekend.

2005
Sparkle was founded in 2005, originally as a day to celebrate all things transgender.

2006
The event extended to run from Friday afternoon to Sunday night. The main stage in Sackville Gardens was introduced.

2008
Bella Jay, editor of TV Repartee magazine, who joined in 2005 originally to help with media and publicity, took over as the Sparkle Event Director.

2010
Sparkle applied for registered charity status (which was granted in March 2011). The initial Sparkle Trustees were Bella Jay (chair), Leah True, Sophie Summers and Beckie Cannons.

2012
A local Manchester team was formed to help co-ordinate and organise local fundraising and events.

2013
Sparkle in the Park also included a new Youth Zone and the event attracted even more visitors from the wider local community.

2014
Sparkle celebrated its 10th anniversary and Sparkle in the Park took place on the Saturday and Sunday. Jenny-Anne Bishop joined the trustees.

2015
Bella Jay retired as Event Director after the 2014 anniversary celebrations and after 10 years service. A new board of trustees is established with Richard Fox (chair), Jenny-Anne Bishop, Jane Owen, Debbie Roberts, Karen Richards, Tony Cooper and Mary Lunan.