Almost 150 people came together on Monday to watch homelessness charity Backup North West on the big screen as they celebrated 30 years of incredible work with youth homelessness.

Throughout the event at Cineworld Bolton, guests were treated to a music video featuring actor Miranda Hart and popstar Heather Small and well known faces from the charity and from across the borough including mayor of Bolton, Cllr Akhtar Zaman.

They also watched an hour long short film looking back and speaking to people who were helped by the charity, Tales of Triumph: Voices of Backup Beneficiaries.

The film featured Gemma, Elise, Gemma, Katie, Nick, Lisa, Pauline, Nicky, Jess, Mohammed, Emma, creator of Charlie the friendly house logo, Lisa, Claire and Tony who shared their experiences of being part of the charity and how BackUp helped them.

All 14 people, shared how over the past 30 years Backup has made them grow in confidence, there’s no way they could have survived without it, one said "I wouldn’t be here", many of them said the work Backup does has given them a second chance, another said "I dreamt and aspired to be good, you can have a bad upbringing but it doesn’t mean the rest of your life is going to be terrible".

Elise was one of the women who spoke in the short film, she said BackUp helped her when she needed it most.

She said: “I moved in in July 2018 after I had lost my mum but 18 months prior to losing my mum I lost my dad through pancreatic cancer so I was still grieiving for my dad but obviously thats when my mum died and that's when I became homeless.

"I was couch hopping after losing them both, I had to quit my job, I had to quit college because of my brievement, so I had no income and didnt know where my next meal was coming from.

"I then joined Lucas Project.

"The staff couldn't open their arms to me anymore and they were so nice.

"I used to cry a lot but just having someone to chat to it helped a lot.

"I now have my own flat and each month they would come and visit and they would call me.

"My confidence has gone sky high and only this month have I actually started falling in love with myself and my confidence.

"I'm more confident, my anxiety and depression is under control and everyone knows how happy I am now compared to when I first moved in Lucas Project.

"Knowing I had that support has helped me become the person I am today.

"I don't think I would be here or be where I am but I'm glad I took the Backup route as a lot of people don't get this chance.

"Go to Backup for help because it helped me a lot."

Later in the event 12 people were handed awards to celebrate their success at the charity, these included:

  • Outstanding contribution award: Corporate: Jon Lord
  • Outstanding contribution award: Non Corporate: Free Cakes for Kids
  • Outstanding Contribution Award: Tracy Lawless
  • Outstanding Contribution Award: Inside BackUp: Jon McArthur
  • Extra Mile Award: Nathan Bowden
  • Young Volunteer Award: Kyle Clewlow
  • Extra Mile Award staff: Paulette Campbell, John Trevett, Rita Standring, Heidi Woolley
  • Fundraiser Award: Kira Spedding, Laurel Hounsela
  • Inspirational Award: Tyler Tood, James Heaton and Mohammed Al Fadel

Maura Jackson, CEO of Backup North West, said: “Partnerships across this room and beyond are what has kept Backup running safe, relevant and successful for thirty years, so Backup have every reason to feel triumphant today.

"I have used that word because it starts with tri meaning three, three decades of operation in Bolton, 30 years of making a difference to young disadvantaged people who were homeless and invisible.

"Triumph means a great victory or achievement and today we celebrate the achievements of Backup as a whole.

"It's because of the people around us that makes us successful and its because of the young people that trust us that make us successful and we want to continue with that success for as long as you want us."

Maura also told the group about future fundraising events including a Gala Ball in 2023, which is an intimate gig with Heather Small, from 90s band M People.

For upcoming events and to buy tickets go to https://backup-charity.org.uk/events/