A CHARITY day which also remembered the victims of the Manchester Arena Bomb has raised £638.83.

The Rock Shopping Centre,  teamed up with Bury-based charity Liv’s Trust to put on a day of remembrance and reflection, as well as raising much needed funds for the charity.

Liv’s Trust – which is The Rock’s partner charity – was set up in memory of Olivia Campbell-Hardy from Bury who was killed in the arena atrocity. The charity aims to support young people with their music and dance ambitions.

On Saturday 18^th May, just days before the seventh anniversary of the bomb, in which 22 people had their lives taken, Liv’s Trust Charity Day took place at The Rock. Running from 11am until 3pm, the event included a showcase of music and talent as well as an opportunity to remember and raise funds.

Performances by young people supported by the charity took place during the day and the line-up included Bury’s Fire Choir, Bury’s Encore Youth Fire Choir and those involved with the charity’s Hear Me Roar music group.

There was also an opportunity to engage with The Manchester Survivors Choir.

Fundraising activity, including a raffle and the chance to buy a heart memento were also held.

Arnold Wilcox-Wood, Centre Director at The Rock, said: “Saturday’s event was a really special day and we’re pleased that so many people supported Liv’s Trust and helped to raise such vital funds.

“The young people the charity supports put on a brilliant showcase throughout the day and kept our shoppers entertained.

“Liv’s Trust Day also included the chance to remember and reflect on the arena atrocity and it was humbling to see so many people join together to remember the 22 victims. It was a day filled with emotions and something The Rock is proud to have been involved with.”

Sharon Goodman, Olivia’s grandma, added: “The build up to the anniversary is always difficult but on Saturday it confirmed that the Trust had achieved its aims as a living legacy to Olivia. She loved to sing and dance.

“Thank you to everyone who supported and donated to the event. You were truly generous.

“We would like to thank all the performers, The Rock staff, Roch Valley Radio and presenter Scarlett and all volunteers. It’s an event that will stay in our hearts and minds.”

The Rock is on the hunt for a new partner charity.

The centre is looking for a local charity to partner with and support with fundraising events – and submissions are open from now until 17^th May.

To put forward a charity for consideration, the nominator must work for or be heavily involved in the charity and have its permission to enter.

Arnold Wilcox-Wood, Centre Director at The Rock, said: “We have worked closely with several charities in Bury over the years and aim to refresh this partnership each year. There are so many good causes out there we know it’s going to be a hugely difficult choice to pick who that partner will be and that’s why, once we have a shortlist of three charities, we will be opening it up to a public vote through our website to give the public the final say on who our charity of choice will be.”

Once the nominations are received a shortlist of three charities will be made by The Rock and an online vote will run for two weeks in June – the charity with the highest number of votes will become The Rock’s new partner charity.

The Rock’s current partner charity is Liv’s Trust and it will automatically be added to the public vote.

The charity with the most votes will become The Rock’s charity of choice from July.

Visit www.therockbury.com/charity-of-the-year/ submit an application for consideration to be The Rock’s new partner charity.

THE VICTIMS of the Manchester Arena Bomb will be remembered with a special day of fundraising at The Rock Shopping Centre this month.

The shopping and leisure destination has teamed up with Bury-based charity Liv’s Trust to put on a day of remembrance and reflection, as well as raising much needed funds for the charity.

Liv’s Trust – which is The Rock’s partner charity – was set up in memory of Olivia Campbell-Hardy from Bury who was killed in the arena atrocity. The charity aims to support young people with their music and dance ambitions.

On Saturday 18^th May, just days before the seventh anniversary of the bomb, in which 22 people had their lives taken, Liv’s Trust Charity Day will be held at the centre.

Running from 11am until 3pm, the event will be a showcase of music and talent as well as an opportunity to remember and raise funds. Performances by young people supported by the charity will take place during the day and the line-up includes Bury’s Encore Youth Choir, Lark Dance and those involved with the charity’s Hear Me Roar music group.

There will also be the opportunity to engage with The Manchester Survivors Choir. They are willing to talk to anyone affected by events or anyone about coping and overcoming trauma.

Fundraising activity, including a raffle and the chance to buy a heart memento are also planned.

Arnold Wilcox-Wood, Centre Director at The Rock, said: “We have been working with Liv’s Trust for almost a year and we’re always blown away by their enthusiasm and their campaign to support young people in their endeavours. We’re really pleased to be working with Sharon, Steve and their team on this charity day and whilst we know there will be some very emotive moments throughout the day, we’re hoping that our shoppers will take a moment to stop and reflect, and where possible dig deep to support this very worthy cause.”

Sharon Goodman, Olivia’s grandma, added: ““This event will ensure our 22 beautiful souls may be gone but not forgotten. We hope many people will join us as we reflect and raise funds.”

DOZENS of children have taken part in a host of free and fun chocolate-themed workshops at The Rock Shopping Centre this Easter.

The shopping and leisure destination unveiled its Easter installation – The World of Imagination – in time for the bank holiday weekend and kicked off the chocolate and sweets fun with workshops on Saturday 30^th March.

The activation is described by The Rock as a ‘magical room of all things sweet and nice’ and is aimed at bringing joy and fun to the centre this Easter.

The World of Imagination takes the form of a candy house with smarty and candy stripe walls creating the perfect backdrop for some fun Easter pictures.

Inside includes giant candy canes and prop lollipops complete with brightly coloured shelves filled with sweet jars taking inspiration from the new Wonka film.

On Saturday  – the event space came to life – with free sweet treat workshops running throughout the day, including cookie decorating, chocolate marbling and mallow bunny making.

Another day of workshops will run on Friday 5^th April between 11am and 3pm. The workshops are completely free to attend and run on a first come, first served basis. Visit The Rock’s website to find out more.

Arnold Wilcox-Wood, Centre Director at The Rock, said: “Our workshops were a huge hit with visitors over the Easter weekend and we were thrilled to welcome people from far and wide to take part. We’ll be doing it all again on Friday, we look forward to welcoming families to take part in this free, Easter fun.”

The World of Imagination is in situ until Friday 12^th April and visitors are encouraged to have a nosey inside and take memorable photos.

DOZENS of shoppers were surprised with red roses, sweet treats, gift vouchers and self-care goodies as The Rock Shopping Centre marked both Valentine’s Day and Random Acts of Kindness Day.

Over two days, the shopping and leisure destination handed out hundreds of items as part of its campaign to spread joy and love this February.

The Centre’s Kindness Crew housed their giveaways in a Kindness Cart which moved around the centre on Wednesday 14^th February and Saturday 17^th February.

Arnold Wilcox-Wood, Centre Director at The Rock, said: “This February we wanted to do something special to mark these two key calendar days. We were so pleased to be able to surprise so many of our shoppers. It has been wonderful to make so many people smile with such a small gesture. We hope it went a long way to brightening their day.”

The Perfume shop have released a Valentine’s Day gift guide…

A brand new café has opened inside The Range and will serve up delicious meals and drinks. Café Eighty-Nine, which is aptly named after the year The Range was founded, opened on Friday.

Bosses at The Range say the café will feature a fresh ‘continental style’ interior scheme offering customers a ‘village green’ meeting space with delicious cooked to order food, and barista made hot drinks.

The café also serves an array of tasty family favourite’s, including burger and chips, woodfired pizza, fish and chips and chicken tikka masala with rice and naan.

There will also be light bites including quiche, jacket potatoes and a selection of ciabattas, paninis, toasties and sandwiches. There is an amazing kids menu including main meals as well as a pick n mix option featuring sandwich, fruit, snack and drink for £3.75.

In addition to the cooked to order menu, Café Eighty-Nine offers a full range of premium barista coffees including, cappuccinos, lattes, espressos and mochas, with prices starting from just £1.95.

The newly refurbished café will boast a fresh and inviting interior scheme with pops of green and cream stripes to give a continental feel, with cosy seating areas and ambient lighting to offer a welcoming meeting space.

Your generous donations have raised a wonderful £1,224.43 for this great cause!

Caffè Nero has now officially opened at The Rock.

Caffè Nero Group Ltd was founded in 1997 and is currently the largest independent coffee retailer in the UK, with over 360 Caffe Nero stores from Brighton to Glasgow. Caffe Nero provide a European style coffee house experience offering premium espresso-based gourmet coffee, authentic Italian food products and a relaxing atmosphere in every store.

You can find them on the corner of St John’s Square next to H&M.