With a little help from our friends…

A special charity auction will take place to celebrate the incredible community effort that saw thousands of Manchester people work together to clear the city after last week’s riots.

A special charity auction will take place to celebrate the incredible community effort that saw thousands of Manchester people work together to clear the city after last week's riots.

Jeremy Myers, creator of the widely followed @riotcleanupmanc Twitter account, is continuing his inspirational work by organising an auction of limited edition prints, with proceeds going to the Manchester based Reclaim and the national Leap Confronting Conflict organisation - both charities work to improve the lives and increase the potential of young people.

A total of 50 limited A2 prints will be auctioned on Ebay from Monday 22 August and Manchester people and businesses alike are encouraged to dig deep to raise as much money as possible for these valuable causes - and of course, be in with a chance of owning one of this limited run of work.

North West illustrator Emmeline Pidgen designed the print after being inspired by the clean up effort that returned Manchester to normality after looters ran riot through the city centre.

Emmeline posted her design on Twitter where it received 19,000 views in just two days - prompting her to contact Jeremy to suggest the auction. More information about the prints can be found at: http://www.riotcleanupmanc.co.uk/. A full size example of the print can be viewed at the Manchester Information Centre on Piccadilly Gardens.

Jeremy said: "Both Emmeline and I have been absolutely blown away by Manchester people during the past week. They have shown a resilience and a determination that only a great city like this can rouse, and we are intensely proud to have been part of the clean up effort.

"Emmeline has created this inspiring piece of work that captures the positive attitude of the hundreds of people who came to tidy up their city and I now hope that we can use this to raise money for RECLAIM and LEAP to improve the lives of young people."

Support has been doled out in the bucket load, not least by local printer John Powell-Jones (aka http://www.savwo.co.uk/) who has contributed his printing expertise and also produced a further 25 prints that will be donated to individuals, organisations and businesses that lent their time, effort and resources to restoring Manchester .

Ben Hiard from Pop Bubble Rock! (http://www.popbubblerock.com/) has also been kind enough to contribute towards print materials.

Councillor Pat Karney, Manchester City Council's spokesman for the City Centre, said: "Jez has proved himself to be a true Manchester hero this week, stirring help from people across the city. I also have to say how impressed I was with the various businesses and groups that provided hot drinks and food to the volunteers.

"Emmeline's picture captures the community spirit that was there in the City after the riots and I hope this spirit continues and grows with the I Love MCR campaign."

If any businesses or individuals want to donate money to either charity they are urged to contact Jeremy at riotcleanupmanc@gmail.com or visit http://www.reclaimproject.org.uk/ and www.leaplinx.com.