One of Manchester’s most iconic charities is helping to fund a newly-launched competition to transform the city’s unused areas into community green spaces.
Groundwork Greater Manchester – the local branch of a collection of charities working to transform lives in the UK’s most disadvantaged communities – has announced the launch of its ‘Eco-Streets Competition‘ this month, which is providing communities in the region with the chance to each win £6,000 of funding.
The competition funds will go towards transforming unused areas into community green spaces.
— Groundwork Greater Manchester (@GroundworkGM) April 14, 2021
Groundwork Greater Manchester is known for successfully working to create a greener and more resilient city region, with stronger, healthier communities, responsible businesses and enhanced prospects for all local people.
The initiative sets out to achieve this by providing high-quality services that put “communities and the environment at the forefront”, by specialising in community engagement, landscape design and build, training and coaching for employment, early intervention to support health and wellbeing, and safe and sustainable business support.
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And now, thanks to funding from the We Love MCR Charity, the Eco-Streets Competition is able to support a further two communities from within the borough of Manchester.
This generous donation will bring more ideas to life and will equip communities with the skills to design, install and maintain natural features to create communal spaces which benefit people, all whilst tackling climate change.
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Speaking on the charity’s donation to the competition, Councillor Tommy Judge – Lord Mayor of Manchester and Chair of We Love MCR Charity – said: “Our aim is to improve lives and communities in Manchester.
“It’s our privilege to help to turn disused spaces into places for neighbours to use together”.
— Groundwork Greater Manchester (@GroundworkGM) April 14, 2021
Keen to get involved? Know a community that could benefit from funding?
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Applications for Groundwork Greater Manchester’s Eco-Streets Competition are now open to community groups or groups of residents consisting of at least three people from different households.
Transformable spaces could include alleyways or ‘ginnels’, small streets, courtyards, disused allotments, or abandoned park areas.
The deadline for applications is Wednesday 21st April at 5pm.
Winners will be announced towards the end of May 2021, and you can find more information and get your entries in via the Groundwork Greater Manchester website here.
A Christmas train in Wigan has been delivering donated toys galore
Thomas Melia
Yuletide wishes have come true as a donation of toys and goodies have been delivered via a Christmas train in Wigan, right in time for the big day.
The Amazon toy train, which is a new initiative running this festive season, is dropping off presents from now right up until Christmas day itself.
Already visiting Wigan earlier this month, the locomotive has its sites set on three more stops including London, Swansea and Scotland as it makes its journey across three nations.
In partnership with Multibank’s Brick-by-Brick project, the train hopes to provide and offer gifts to families in need across the UK with Wigan marking the closest stop off in Greater Manchester.
Credit: Lee Boswell (supplied)
All the toys that are being transported across the country in this Amazon-fronted train are featured on the company’s ‘Top Ten Toys 2024’ list.
Hatchimals, Screamerz and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza were some of the exciting gifts found on the Christmas train in Wigan at the start of this month.
This lighthearted and fun-filled Christmas-themed project is kitted out with toys from top brands like Play-Doh and the brickmasters themselves, LEGO Star Wars.
So far, Multibank has helped over 400,000 families and provided three million essential items across their operations in England, Scotland and Wales since launching in 2022.
This collaborative local project doesn’t just operate at Christmastime either: Brick-to-Brick Multibank run all year round collecting surplus business requirements like furniture, hot water bottles and hygiene products to be used by those less fortunate.
The Christmas train in Wigan filled with Amazon’s top toys.The Wigan toy train features some well known brands.Credit: Supplied
This roster of children’s favourite companions and interactive games is inspired by the consumers themselves. Every toy is related to or the exact match of what Amazon customers have been searching for the most. A real Christmas list come true.
The list of the top toys isn’t extortionate either, offering customers some affordable and still as fascinating options with prices starting from £9.99.
Even old-school classics like Play-Doh have a spot on this wish list. This poses the really big question: where’s the adult version?
You may have finished your Christmas shopping not too long ago or might still be looking for inspiration, browse the top-ranked teddies and more HERE.
Floral tributes laid for Baby A after remains found in Salford, as police hunt ‘answers’
Daisy Jackson
Floral tributes have begun to pile up outside the Salford park where the remains of a baby were found earlier this week.
The child, who is being called Baby A, was discovered near Ashtons Field on Wednesday 20 November.
Their identity is not yet known, and police are trying to determine ‘who this baby could be, how long they have been here, and how they have sadly died’.
In an update shared last night, GMP said their investigation was continuing and the force will do ‘everything we can to get answers’.
They also shared images of cuddly toys, flowers and letters that have been left at the snowy scene by officers and by the local community.
In the latest update, GMP said: “Our investigation continues after the remains of a young baby were tragically found in Little Hulton yesterday.
“The thoughts of everyone at Greater Manchester Police are with Baby A, and we will do everything we can to get answers.
“We would like to thank the community for their tributes to Baby A and their support and compassion at this time. We are truly grateful.”
Floral tributes laid for Baby A after remains found in Salford. Credit: GMP
GMP are appealing for anyone with any information to come forward so they can ‘find answers for this baby’.
Chief Superintendent Neil Blackwood said: “Even the most minor detail could be crucial to our investigation. If you have seen anyone in the area over the last few days, or know who the parents could be, please call us as soon as you can.
“As soon as we are in a position to confirm further details about the circumstances, we will do so.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log 1319 of 20/11/24. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Emily Sergeant -
14th April 2021 
