Mere weeks before his death at the age of 63, Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield of Stone Roses fame made a touching donation, in honour of a dearly missed friend
Shortly before he died, Gary “Mani” Mounfield made a generous donation to a very worthy cause in memory of a very famous friend.
Best known for being part of the Stone Roses and Primal Scream, Manchester music scene legend Mani touched many lives during his 63 years, and the tributes that have poured in after his death show just how widely loved and admired he was. Everyone from Liam Gallagher to Paul Weller has come forward to pay their respects to the Crumpsall-born musician, who died yesterday (November 20) at his home in Heaton Moor, Stockport.
Towards the end of his own life, Mani honoured the passing of another Manchester great – his “mate” boxer Ricky Hatton, who died in September at the age of just 46, after struggling with well-documented mental health issues. After his death, Ricky’s family established The Ricky Hatton Foundation, with the aim of raising funds and awareness while providing access to mental health services, community programmes, and educational campaigns across the sports sector.
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Opening up on ITV’s Good Morning Britain at the time, Ricky’s son Campbell, 24, shared: “I think people still see it as a bit of a weakness, which the foundation is looking to change and because it’s in my dad’s name a lot more men will feel comfortable . . . and will talk a little bit more openly.”
Mani was one of the stars who stepped up and donated to a JustGiving page for the new foundation, which has raised more than £15,000 at the time of writing. Giving £500, Mani said: “Happy to be behind this project and happy to do anything I’m asked to do for it, anytime. I will miss my mate Ricky terribly, and I’ll carry his memory in my heart forever. He was a good friend.”
The bassist was among those in attendance at Ricky’s funeral at Manchester Cathedral on October 10, in what is believed to have been his last public appearance.
Mani’s brother was the one to announce the rock icon’s death, taking to social media with the following statement: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce the sad passing of my brother. Gary Mani Mounfield RIP. Reunited with his beautiful wife Imelda.” Mani’s wife, Imelda, sadly passed away in 2023 after being diagnosed with cancer. She was just 52. Their twin sons, Gene Clark and George Christopher, who are believed to be around 12 years old, have been left orphaned following this tragic double loss.
In a heartfelt social media tribute, Mani’s former Stone Roses bandmates honoured the iconic bassist as “the greatest”, writing: “RIP our wonderful brother Mani. The greatest bass player and friend we could ever have wished for. x.”
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