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UMIP'S LINDA HENSON FULFILLS DREAM TO COMPETE IN LONDON MARATHON AWARD-WINNING CREATIVE PROJECT UNITES INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS Heaven 17's Martyn Ware joined artists and world musicians for an evening to support creative communities in places of conflict and war. The In Place of War (IPOW) event was delivered in association with the TIE Network, on 22nd April at HQ Building in Manchester. Martyn Ware hosted the event which also featured IPOW Co- director Ruth Daniel and Benson Wereje (DR Congo) and guests enjoyed complementary world foods and drinks and performances from a host of international artists. Funds raised on the evening enable the project to develop and secure the required spaces (including building works, security, and decoration), support local staff costs and help with shipping equipment to the locations. The project has already raised over £200,000 of music, studio and film equipment from musicians, TV studios and The University of Manchester. IPOW is an award-winning University of Manchester initiative which helps to build powerful networks, create social change through creativity and demonstrate the value of the arts to public space, public life and public debate. For ten years the project has been helping to mobilise, empower and connect artists and creative communities in sites of war, revolution and conflict. Ruth Daniel, Co-Director, In Place of War said: "Our work is about giving isolated artists a wider platform to tell their stories of war and help empower communities through creative practise. Turning our research into practise we have developed a range of innovative alternative educational tools, and raised funds to help create new cultural spaces in some of the world's most challenging places." IPOW was recently shortlisted for the Outstanding Aspiring Social Enterprise of the Year, at the Making a Difference Awards from the University's Office of Social Responsibility and was runner-up in The Guardian University Awards for its international work. The project was also recently awarded a £5000 Do It Award from UMIP and UnLtd which will be used to help develop the business model. IPOW has also developed a ground-breaking creative entrepreneurial programme to be certified by the University and delivered for free to local young people in communities in some of the most under- resourced parts of the world. In these communities with little access to education, offering a free creative entrepreneurial programme with the certification of the University would provide transformative opportunities for up to 5,000 young people in each community every year. Visit the In Place of War website for more details about the project www.inplaceofwar.net Linda, our Legal and IP Administrator, took part in this year's London Marathon in support of Cancer Research and, despite picking up an injury, completed the course in a very creditable 5hrs 15 mins. Linda was one of 2,500 runners supporting the charity who competed in the 26 mile race around London in April this year. Linda raised just under £800 which was over 200% above her target! Linda comments: "From the age of 10 it had been a lifelong achievement to run the London Marathon. I have previously participated in three marathons but this was the one I really wanted to take part in and it certainly didn't disappoint! The atmosphere was amazing and the supporting crowds were just what you need in moments of weakness (there were a few). Those moments were all worth it though just to have that feeling of crossing the finish line knowing that you have just done something amazing, and being one of the 1% of the population who have run a marathon! "I am now a very proud owner of Virgin London Marathon 35th anniversary medal which is now on full display at home. Will I run another next year? …. More than likely!" The money raised will go towards building the Francis Crick Institute. Due to open in spring 2016, it will be a landmark in biomedical research, where 1,200 leading scientists will work together to accelerate progress in the fight against cancer as well as a whole host of life threatening diseases. You can follow Cancer Research on Twitter here: @CR_UK UMIC ® UMIP ® UMI 3 11

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