Man City stars back Freddie Flintoff and wife Rachael’s fundraising campaign to build hospital cinema

Manchester City stars have backed Andrew and Rachael Flintoff’s £1.1million fundraising campaign to build a first MediCinema in the region.

The proposal of an in-house cinema area is designed to create a space for patients at Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) that acts as a comfort and distraction.

The campaign spearheaded by the former England all-rounder has almost hit £800,000 and City’s players from both the men’s and women’s sides are supporting the project.

Erling Haaland, Bunny Shaw, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva and Nico O’Reilly are among those to have recorded messages urging fundraising support.

The 50-seat cinema is set to benefit patients at both the MRI and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and expected to screen up to 260 films a year.

‘The continued generosity we’re seeing is incredible,’ Rachael Flintoff said. ‘This Appeal has always been about people coming together to make a difference.

‘To get to £788,000 proves what’s possible when everyone comes together, and now we just need one final push to make the MediCinema a reality for patients in Manchester hospitals.’

Kathy Cowell CBE DL, Chair of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, added: ‘The impact of this cinema will go far, far beyond entertainment. It will offer moments of relief, togetherness and normality at times when they are needed most.

‘As we enter this final phase of the Appeal, every single donation, no matter its size, will help us open the doors sooner and start delivering those vital moments of movie magic for our patients.’

To donate or find out more, visit mftcharity.org.uk.