PHIL BURKE

Who are you?
Phil Burke.

What do you do?
I am Chair of The Village Business Association, which is a body comprising of all the businesses within the village who all work together to promote, protect and develop the area.

How did you get involved in Manchester Pride?
Through the venues that I have managed I have been an active participant in Manchester Pride for many years, and since becoming Chair of the VBA I have become more involved in the organisation and structure behind the event itself.

Over the years I have seen and experienced the phenomenal growth and development of what has become a flagship LGBT event in Europe.

How long have you been a Board member?
I was brought on to the Pride Board to assist the management team deliver a fantastic event and also to liaise between the event itself and the venues within the area.

What are your aspirations for Manchester Pride?
As a fervent supporter of Manchester Pride I am extremely proud to sit on the board and to be able to contribute to such a worthy and vibrant event. I personally want to see Manchester Pride continue to grow and develop, but to never forget its original premise and reason for being. This I believe to be 3 very fundamental things. Firstly it is a fantastic mechanism for raising serious money for a lot of extremely worthwhile and deserving local causes. Secondly it is a vehicle of education and awareness of the issues and problems that the LGBT can, and does, experience. And thirdly it is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate its diversity and worth with pride and with passion.

I will endeavour to do all I can to ensure that this continues for many many years to come.

Through my continued involvement with all the venues in the village, the local authorities, the press and media, as well as the community as a whole, I will endeavour to assist the team deliver a fantastic event, whilst also continuing to raise awareness and money for some serious and fundamental issues that effect us all one way or another.