MANCHESTER Giants Basketball team has announced the We Love MCR Charity as its official charity partner for 2015.

The partnership launched at the Manchester Day celebrations on Sunday, the Manchester Giants joined We Love MCR Charity representatives on Albert Square, where members of the public met the Giants players and the Giants cheerleaders.

The partnership will see an array of fundraising activities take place throughout 2015 to help raise vital funds for the charity to carry on supporting and improving the lives and opportunities of the people of Manchester.

The Lord Mayor, Councillor Paul Murphy OBE said: “I’d like to thank Manchester Giants for their support and we are proud they have decided to support the We Love MCR Charity.

“The Giants have an impressive track record of community involvement, sharing their skills and expertise with both children and other basketball clubs in the city and wider area. This attitude is perfectly in sync with the aims and objectives of the charity and we look forward to working with the Giants”.

Manchester Giants CEO John Dwan added: "We are delighted to be able to team up with We Love MCR charity. The charity does great work in the city and we are proud to be able to help them continue. Manchester is truly the UK’s city of sport and we are sure Giant fans will join us in backing this great charity."

The We Love MCR Charity is locally focused and its primary aim is to provide funding to a range of individuals and groups to improve the lives, aspirations and life chances of Manchester people and build stronger communities.

For more information on We Love MCR Charity visit www.welovemcrcharity.org or follow on twitter @mcr_charity