User:Urbanfox73/sandbox

Sparkle is a trans charity.

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

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

Sparkle is a national trans Charity that organises the Sparkle Weekend celebration in July each year, and through-out the year we hold events for fundraising and trans awareness.

Sparkle 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 - from transsexual, transvestite, cross-dressing, bi-gender, genderqueer for FTM and MTF, and intersex.

The Sparkle event attracts trans people and trans allies locally and from around the world, and 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 the Gay Village in Manchester, UK. 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 of the Sparkle Weekend.

Sparkle History
2005 Sparkle Launched: Sparkle was founded in 2005, originally as a day to celebrate all things transgender. By the following year the event had moved to its current weekend format and we now provide a full schedule from Friday afternoon right through to Sunday night!

2006 Sparkle in Sackville Gardens: In 2006 we introduced the main stage in Sackville Gardens and in 2007 the ‘Party in the Park’ surely made Sparkle not only the largest, but the highest profile, TG event in the world!

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

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

2011 Manchester Organising Group: Sparkle is made possible by the hard work of dedicated individuals who give their time for free in order to organise the various parts of the weekend (and by our wonderful sponsors who provide a large part of the finances required to bring you Sparkle).

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

2013 Some Like it Hot: Sparkle 2013 was another outstanding success, with the best weather we have ever had in the event's history! Sparkle in the Park also included a new Youth Zone and the event attracted even more visitors from the wider local community.

2014 10 Years On: Sparkle celebrates its 10th anniversary and to mark this amazing achievement Sparkle in the Park takes place on the Saturday and Sunday. Jenny-Anne Bishop joins the trustees.

2015 New Beginning: Bella Jay retires as Event Director after the 2014 anniversary celebrations and after 10 years service to the cause. 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.