Record-breaking £2,000 raised at 20th Mossley SOUP

A record-breaking total of more than £2,000 was raised at the 20th Mossley SOUP event last Thursday, marking another inspiring milestone for the community crowdfunding initiative that continues to prove the power of local people coming together to make a difference.

The special anniversary event, held on Thursday 16 October at Emmaus Mossley and sponsored by Premier Kia, brought together more than 180 diners. Each attendee contributed £5 in exchange for homemade soup, local entertainment, presentations from four grassroots projects and a vote to decide which one would take home the night’s funding pot.

Guests were welcomed by the lively sounds of The Spring Chickens, a local band, before enjoying freshly made soups prepared by volunteers Danny, Daz and Richard. Soup ingredients were generously donated by A Taylor & Son Family Butchers, Co-op Mossley, and Tesco Greenfield, with eventgoers also contributing cakes.

The evening’s four projects were:

• 1st Mossley Scout Group, seeking funds for new camping equipment.
• Mossley Hollins Wellbeing Room, a school initiative to improve students’ mental health facilities.
• Thompson Cross Community Kitchen, providing meals for local people facing hardship.
• Trumpet Choir, supporting adults living with mental illness through music.

After each group gave a short presentation and answered audience questions, diners cast their votes before a fundraising raffle rounded off the evening.

The winner of the night was Mossley Hollins Wellbeing Room, which received an impressive £2,187 to help transform a student wellbeing space at Mossley Hollins High School.

Thea Smith-Heeley, a student at the school and one of the project’s presenters, said:

“We are so grateful for everyone who came to listen and vote for our pitch on Thursday, and for the amazing organisers who made it all possible. This will allow us to transform our wellbeing room, and it means the world to us and our fellow students that we have the opportunity to make such a big change in our school.”

Funds raised on the night included donations at the door, a raffle, and contributions from Mossley Town Council (£250), Emmaus Mossley (£250) and Premier Kia (£100). The three runners-up each also received £100 from Premier Kia to support their projects.

The raffle featured a range of local prizes donated by generous supporters, including Anthony Barton Independent Family Funeral Service, artists Phil Craven and Chris Cyprus, Garratt’s Wine Vault, Hatch Bakery, Manchester Candle Makers, Mossley AFC, Suki’s Wardrobe, Stax of Soul promoter Tim, The Blossom and Brew Bar, and The Vale.

Organiser Andy Fowler said the landmark event was a testament to Mossley’s community spirit: “Twenty SOUP events in, and the generosity and creativity of our community just keep growing. Mossley SOUP is all about people coming together to make great ideas happen and this event was one of our most inspiring yet.”

Looking ahead, Mossley SOUP is now inviting applications for its next event, which will have a creative and artistic theme, taking place on Thursday 19 February 2026.

Anyone interested in presenting a project can apply at http://bit.ly/MossleySOUP.