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We will Hard Rock you: Manchester staff don Mercury moustaches to be ‘Freddie For A Day’ in HIV fundraiser

By Jess Owen

Manchester Hard Rock Café staff have flung off their pinnies and are donning fake moustaches, white jeans and vests today in commemoration of legendary Queen front man Freddie Mercury.

The Mercury Phoenix Trust hosts its annual Freddie For A Day event on September 5, the rock legend’s birthday, to raise funds and awareness of AIDS and HIV.

As part of the charity’s pledge to raise AIDS awareness and funding for AIDS projects in developing third world countries, the Hard Rock staff are selling £2 Freddie moustaches throughout the day.  

Emma Livingstone, Marketing Manager for Hard Rock Cafe Manchester, said:“We’re delighted to be participating in Freddie For A Day. We hosted for the ‘Silver Service’ this morning, who came down to help support the trust by purchasing ‘Freddie For A Day’ moustaches and posing with us for photos!

“The Hard Rock team have been incredibly creative with their costumes, covering all variations of Freddie Mercury’s illustrious character, from the iconic ‘Live Aid’ outfit, to the haunting attire of the ‘I’m Going Slightly Mad’ music video.”

Claudia Walker of Mercury Phoenix Trust said: “This new partnership with the Hard Rock Cafe will further raise the profile of Freddie For A Day as we join forces in many cities, initially across Europe, to celebrate Freddie’s life and help those less fortunate to fight this terrible disease which ended his life.”


MOUSTACHE MADNESS! Hard Rock Café staff pay tribute to Freddie Mercury

Now in its third year, fans around the world spend the day dressed as Freddie Mercury on what would have been his 67th birthday.  

Director of European Marketing for Hard Rock International Marc Carey, said: “Hard Rock International are delighted to be working alongside Queen and The Mercury Phoenix Trust on their annual Freddie For A Day. 

“Hard Rock has long been associated with the rock legends and their charity, raising $350,000 through the sales of a Queen Signature Series T-Shirt and even setting up a ‘mobile’ restaurant backstage at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium in ’92. 

“Each cafe throughout Europe will be encouraging local Freddie fans to come along dressed up as the icon and to raise funds for this great cause.”

Freddie For A Day falls on the same day that the the Hard Rock Couture exhibition, which is on display until September 8, displays Mercury’s iconic monochrome cat suit.

Picture courtesy of Hard Rock Cafe, with thanks.

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