Lord Mayor to launch AXM Foundation – a charity in memory of Gay Village icon Haydn Pope

Earlier this year, Manchester’s iconic Gay Village lost one of its most iconic characters – Haydn Pope. Haydn founded the AXM bar and developed the brand from a fledgling bar on Canal Street to a chain of bars across Europe and the incredibly popular AXM Club in Manchester.

One of his final wishes was to continue to help and support those he had always tried to help in his lifetime – those who were struggling or needed support to get to the next chapter in their lives.

The AXM Foundation has been established to deliver Haydn’s final wishes. It’s a registered charity staffed purely by volunteers. It’s not called The Haydn Pope Foundation as this would be the last thing he would have wanted

Haydn was a loud, colourful and sometimes controversial character in the village, but it was a sign of the fondness and high regard in which he was held that his funeral was a packed affair. Humorous and colourful, just like the man himself.

Over the years, Haydn helped many people who were struggling or needed support. He cared deeply for his team and over the years helped keep many of them on the straight and narrow by giving them valuable advice, support and direction.

Haydn could always see the best in people when others could not. He saw qualities others could not. He helped many people whom others had given up on and with his unique style of support he helped turn their lives around, putting them on a better path and creating success stories along the way.

The Foundation will provide grant funding for the LGBTQ community of Greater Manchester.The aim is to raise over £10,000 in the first year from a variety of fund raising activities as well as by reaching out to Haydn’s business friends across Greater Manchester. Keep an eye out for sporting events, club nights, and the inaugural gala dinner in 2017.

Haydn never underestimated people and always looked for the best in them. His legacy will live on through the Foundation.

Please join the Lord Mayor of Manchester for the launch on Friday, July 22 2016 featuring a special performance by Rowetta.

AXM Club, 100 Bloom Street, Manchester M1 3LY