We asked you to tell us what you love about Manchester – and you responded in droves.
Since looters ransacked Manchester and Salford two weeks ago, thousands of people have pulled together to fight back, helping with the big clean up and supporting local businesses.
Almost 13,000 people have joined the I Love MCR Facebook group – with Mancunians plastering posters across the city to support the cause.
Hundreds of red and white balloons were released from Exchange Square with messages of support for the city yesterday as part of celebrations for We Love Mcr day.
14-year-old Rosie Heaton took this bird's eye video of the balloon release:
Rachel Combie, marketing director at Marketing Manchester said: "We are delighted that the day was such a success, it was a great atmosphere and the balloon release was the highlight of the afternoon. We are looking forward to hearing about the ideas being found by people across the North West."
The MEN asked our readers what made you hold the city so dear – and here is just a small selection of messages we received via email, Facebook and Twitter
- “Because the people are so warm and friendly. You can certainly feel the difference when you go from Manchester to London as far as friendliness is concerned.” - Thelma Hamer
- “For the weather...wait maybe not...the people and the architecture then!” - Matthew Pearce
- “Because it’s big enough to get the best bands, small enough to drive to the centre and only 25 minutes from the countryside.” - Mark Roberts
- “For its 'can do' approach - great history and an even greater future.” - Stewart McCombe
- “Because of its Mancunians. Anyone born in the city knows instinctively they are as good as anyone from another town or country and their innate sense of humour keeps them going in the dark days.” - Barbara Frost
- “For its 100,000 students bringing even more diversity and vibrancy, making Manchester even more interesting” - Kate Little
- “Because...Man City and Oasis…need I say more?” - Richard Sharp
- “For the Northern Quarter, the bars, shops and people that make it like nowhere else in the country.” - Mike Duzinkewycz
- “Because it sets the tone for the continent.” - Gary Smale
- “For the music scene of the late 80s early 90s, that I was brought up with!” - Leo Walker
- “Just because it's home.” - David Richardson
- “For its amazing music and night life.” - Jay Salter
- “Because of the countless number of musical geniuses that we have shared with the world.” - Carl Dawson
- “Because we set the standards for everyone else to follow.” - Daniel McLaughlin
- “Because of its regeneration over my lifetime, making it a city I never want to leave.” - Kevin Whitmore
- “Because it thrives through adversity and grows in maturity and stature, in perpetuity!” - Stephen Smith
- “For the FOOTBALL! And the brilliant people who live here of course.” - Man Utd Foundation
- “For much of its architecture and classical buildings.” - Pam Crossland
- “For its famous gigs and its nights out.” - Lucile Aldro
- “Because no matter how much I explore, something new always impresses me.” - Mark Davies
- “For its Diversity and culture, its community spirit.” - Phil Dodd
- “For its acceptance and integration of different backgrounds, race and sexuality.” - Kyle Grisdale
- “For its rich variety of cultures - so vibrant!” - Karen McDonald
- “For many, many things, but the Christmas Markets are the icing on the cake.” - Christopher Gurr
- “Because of our history, music and people. I'm a proud Mancunian living elsewhere spreading northern soul.” - Helena Reid
- “Where do I start? I am born and bred Manc and proud. The people are very friendly, there’s the magnificent shopping at the Arndale, the night life is second to none, some of the architecture is stunning – as good as you will get anywhere, all in all the city of Manchester is simply brilliant.” - Frank Keelan
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Just because it IS MANCHESTER...........
Jesus, the glossing-over-tactic again...
If you want to make a (political) statement, then that T shirt should read: 'Give UK youth a chance'!
MCR boys
Carried into the centre on a human sea
That crashed against shutters, battered windows, debris
Thrown all in together, with laughter, with joy
Criminals quickly forming out of daft little boys.
Self worth worth less than the trainers in JD,
Than the fags on the counter, the box-set of Glee,
The shorts with the three stripes, on the window they flay,
Worth nothing, it’s pointless, so much thrown away.
The yawning windows are left with shattered teeth,
Laughing at them, or you, where lies your belief?
‘The pigs were mere courtiers as we took the throne’
Had fun, caused chaos, romped triumphantly home.
But pigs have appetites and courtiers ambition,
And justice lumbers into view for a war of attrition,
The knocks don’t wait for an answer at the door,
They smash through it, smash you, smash all to the core.
The sea rises again and sweeps souls to their doom,
Proud parents crumble together, shattered into this room,
My son, our lad, one of a kind, happy apprentice,
That all comes to an end in one single sentence.
Impulsive stupidity or calculated retribution?
The authorities wade into the riot of confusion,
Casting out common sense and reeling in the prize,
Losing sight of reality through hate filled eyes.
And now it’s all forgotten in a new sea of LOVE,
An olive branch down the throat of this wing-clipped dove,
Rioters mix with citizens and everyone thinks they’re clever,
As boys rot into the future, made criminals for ever.
Interesting how they have chosen the same weekend as the "Manchester Pride" event which guarantees that all the hotels are fully booked, and that there are literally thousands of extra people in the city centre. No doubt they'll claim success off the back of those numbers, when in reality every August bank holiday the city is the same.
most mancunians have always lived in manchester and nowhere else so how can they know if it is really that good? people that come from outside manchester seem to thing its shabby and theres nothing to do and im inclined to agree. unless you like to get drunk or have an average curry, there isnt much other than the football. drink, curries and football - no wonder even the women behave like men!
i would just like my pledge my support to the i love manchester campain!!! HOW EVER I do feel the mamby pamby loons that say "we cant smack our kids or you cant defend your property" have a lot to answer to, the runts of our wonderful sociaty needs to hear the message lod and clear" we will not put up with scrowts in our city, you cant do as you please causing harm and disrepecting others.... BRING BACK THE BIRCH
Now the campaign to love Manchester is up and running. Will there be an equal effort to "I LOVE ENGLAND" too.
Its about time Mancunians stood up and said how proud they are over the City.
There are stupid pundits who say the second city after London is Birmingham, what a joke it lost that tag years ago...
Manchester is in my view thee best City in the UK, it beats London hands down !
It has all that London has to offer in terms of Culture, Retail, Food, Sport, Transport, Music, Arts and yet within 25mins you can be walking in breath taking scenery in the Peak National Park, make that 45minutes and you can be playing golf on one of three "Open" championship courses.
The yearly influx of students probably says more, it is has the largest and thee most popular campus in Europe for applications, it is a fcat that if we had larger Universities you could in effect closedown most of the others in the rest of the country.
We have the largest creative arts industry in Europe, there are more advertising agencies in Manchester than London ! Film and media is buegeoning, BBCNorth, Sherlock, Captain America.......
In terms of architecture we have some amasing designs coupled to some fantastic historical buildings!
The joint largest indoor arena in Europe is up there alongside London's O2, put a deckchair in the aisle and it would be the largest full stop at 23, 001 !
We have the largest residential block in Europe !
We have some of the best restuaraunts, when chefs wish to expand out of London , they head to Manchester Simon Rimmer. Micheal Gaines, shortly to be joined by Jamie Oliver and James Martin, Rusholme is the curry capital of Europe.
Its the same in retail, whilst the most exclusive shops may be in London they all head to Manchester if they wish to expand !
...in terms of technology Manchester has the largest internet Farm in Europe !
Our transport links are superb, thee best international airport outside London and one which is in the 20 in the World, the Metro is fantastic, we have a free bus system that interconnects rail and tram. We have three trains an hour to London, or should I say London has three services an hour to Manchester, no other City can boast better links.
Perhaps these are the reasons it is the most popular City in the UK after London for tourism.
Be in little doubt, there is Lonon , there is Manchester and to be honest thats it ! No other City competes !
Campaigns like this should be a waste of time. We should be intelligent enough to make up our own minds, we either know if we like the place or not, t-shirts and z list celebrities should only influence the dim and the gullible.