Two young patients met former Coronation Star Ryan Thomas as they unveiled their own milkshake creations being sold to raise money for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
Eight-year-old Libby Dargan, from Droylsden, and 11-year-old Victoria Taylor, from Urmston , won a competition to invent their own drinks for Archie’s restaurants.
Their creations - Libby’s Minty Magic with Mint Aero and After Eight, topped with whipped cream, Flake and Magic Stars and Victoria’s Classic Chocolate, made with Dairy Milk and fresh strawberries, topped with whipped cream, Flake and strawberries - will be sold in all three Archie’s stores.
£1.50 from every shake will go directly to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity.
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Patients from across all wards in the children’s hospital took part in the Create-a-shake competition, the first fundraising activity for Archie’s new charitable scheme The Archie’s Foundation, before the two winning concoctions were selected.
The burger, shake and waffle restaurant has chosen to support Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital as its first charity and the fundraising will go towards the Many Hands campaign, which is raising vital funds to help build a 24-hour access helipad at the central Manchester hospital site.
As part of their prize, the two youngsters visited Archie’s where they got to blend and taste their milkshakes.
The pair, along with their mums, were delighted when former Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas, charity ambassador of Archie’s Foundation, stopped by to meet them and sample the winning milkshakes.
They were also treated to a visit from the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity’s mascot, Humphrey Bear, who presented the girls with special certificates.
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Imran Rafiq, director of Archie’s, which has two branches in Manchester’s Oxford Road, said: “As a father myself, I certainly appreciate the outstanding work that the hospital does on a daily basis, so it felt only natural to work with Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity, and bringing the winning children to enjoy the Archie’s experience was a great start in our giving back to the community motto.
“The winning creations are now on sale in all of our stores and we hope they will complete the whole event by raising lots of money for the charity and the campaign.”
Joel Oxberry, corporate fundraising manager at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity, added: “We are delighted that Archie’s have not only chosen to support our charity, but have also given our patients the chance to be involved in such an exciting competition.
“We would like to say a huge well done to Libby and Victoria, their milkshakes tasted delicious and we’re sure they will be hugely popular with customers dining at Archie’s.
“All monies raised will help bring us one step closer towards our helipad appeal target, so we are incredibly thankful to Imran and all the team at Archie’s for their support.”
