Help raise funds for local charities by adopting a Printworks bee

Last year, The Printworks raised £2,500 for local charities The Booth Centre and Forever Manchester through its Adopt a Bee scheme.

It proved so popular that they are giving you another opportunity to adopt your very own bee. And you can adopt one on behalf of a friend or relative, too.

The bees have been living on the roof of The Printworks for the last six years. Four beehives each accommodate between 30,000 and 40,000 bees, and there’s a beetle hotel which houses around 100 common ground beetles.

Last year, the bees produced 300 jars of honey which were sold through The Hard Rock Cafe. The proceeds were split between homeless charity The Booth Centre and Forever Manchester.

The Adopt a Bee scheme is already proving popular. All four queen bees have already been adopted and given brand new names by their adoptive parents.

“The bee is such an iconic symbol of Manchester and is synonymous with the hard-working Mancunian spirit,” said Printworks centre director, Fred Booth.

“Bees are one of the most vital creatures in the world’s ecosystem, so it’s only right that we show them some love too.

“The interest this initiative generated last year from the public was staggering! We wanted to give people another chance to adopt their own bee, and raise money for a worthy cause.”

The Printworks is aiming to raise £1,000 through the initiative. It costs just £2 to adopt a bee, with proceeds going to Volition, Manchester Cathedral’s volunteer programme which  helps unemployed people become more employable.

People who get involved won’t just be proud adoptive parents, but will also receive a framed certificate.

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