There’s no denying that it won’t be for everyone, but one of Manchester’s longest-running charities, We Love MCR Charity, is holding a unique Manchester Firewalk Challenge in one of the city centre’s most iconic locations in less that a week’s time.
Following on from the success of its Landmarks of Manchester 10K – which saw hundreds dig their running shoes out between March and July to raise some money and fall in love with the city all over again once lockdown restrictions first began to lift – the charity is keen to keep the theme of Manchester’s iconic locations going.
Training for the daring challenge has been taking place at the historic Manchester Central Library this week, before the event itself arrives at St Peter’s Square on Wednesday 13 October.
ADVERTISEMENT
But if you fancy giving it a go for yourself, the charity is encouraging last-minute sign-ups to pop their name down and give it a go.
Just 1 WEEK to go til our Sponsored Firewalk in the heart of Manchester! 🔥
❤️ £15 fee ❤️ £100< fundraising target ❤️ an opportunity to do something unforgettable while raising funds for our work with the city's communities & young people 🐝
Some familiar faces are taking part in the challenge too – including the just-announced ex-Love Islander, influencer and Mancunian resident Rosie Williams, who is the charity’s newest Ambassador – so you won’t be braving it alone.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It sounds crazy, but I was thrilled to be asked to take on We Love MCR Charity’s Firewalk as one of my first challenges,” said Cllr Donna Ludford, Deputy Lord Mayor of Manchester.
“Doing this to raise money for Manchester’s communities and young people is a fantastic idea [and] I can’t wait to learn the secrets of walking on hot coals.
“I hope that lots of fellow Mancunians will join me.”
ADVERTISEMENT
The Manchester Firewalk Challenge is this year being sponsored by Manchester-based IT company Sync – which has been powering organisations throughout the UK with the latest technology to keep them moving for the last 30 years – and all funds raised by those with the guts to take the walk will go directly towards We Love MCR Charity.
“After awarding £1 million to frontline groups tackling problems in the pandemic, we need to raise new funds,” explained Ged Carter, We Love MCR Charity’s Manager.
“We plan to award a further half a million pounds this year to our local communities to help them recover, and to ambitious young Mancunians to help them to take their next steps to success [but] we can do nothing without the public’s support.
“And we know there are plenty of people who love Manchester too, who would fancy taking on this bucket-list challenge to support our local communities.”
“Places are limited, so sign up today before you miss the chance,” he added.
Registration for the Manchester Firewalk Challenge costs just £15 per participant, and you must commit to raising sponsorship for We Love MCR Charity as an individual online sponsorship page is automatically created for as part of the sign-up process.
All participants will receive full safety guidance on the evening, and learn how to do the seemingly-impossible by walking over burning coals with training led by fully-trained and renowned experts in this field.
As mentioned, funds raised will go towards helping the We Love MCR Charity continue to carry out its vital work throughout the city of Manchester, and will particularly support the organisation’s Manchester Rising Stars programme – which helps young people to succeed in their chosen paths.
Events on the night will be captured by one of the charity’s ‘Rising Stars’, who has been awarded camera equipment to get started in their ambition to become a professional photographer, and another beneficiary of the fund, who is an aspiring DJ, will provide inspiring tunes to build the atmosphere as the brave firewalkers step out.
“The event really is by Manchester, in Manchester, for Manchester,” Ged concluded.
ADVERTISEMENT
Reckon you’ve got what it takes to walk bare foot over 500-degree hot coals? / Credit: We Love MCR Charity
Fancy giving it a crack then?
You can find more information about the challenge, sponsor the “brave souls” taking part, and most importantly, sign up to the Firewalk via the We Love MCR Charity website here.
Featured Image – We Love MCR Charity
What's On
Manchester Day is back with a ‘mammoth day’ of music-themed FREE fun next month
Manchester Day is making a grand return for 2025 this summer, and you can expect a day filled with loads of music-themed fun.
Oh, and it’s free fun at that… doesn’t get much better.
With a whopping 1.3 million music tourists expected in Manchester this summer – apparently a little band called Oasis is performing or something? First we’ve heard of it – and a massive lineup of live music legends set to take over venues and parks across the city these next couple of months, this year’s Manchester Day is aiming to get everyone ‘in the groove’.
Manchester City Council is working with outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank on a programme that promises something for music fans of all ages and all musical abilities.
From the English National Opera teaming up with Manchester’s football fans, to community choirs, West End show tunes, juggling drummers, hip-hop wrestling, and loads more, this year’s Manchester Day has got all musical tastes covered.
Manchester Day is back on Saturday 26 July. 🎉
Inspired by music, expect pop-up performances, spontaneous sing-a-longs and have-a-go activities. 🎶
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) June 2, 2025
As always, activities will be taking place right across the city centre – from St Ann’s Square to Cathedral Gardens, and everywhere in between.
Organisers say there will be plenty of chances throughout the day for visitors, both young and old, to get stuck in, try their hand at making music and maybe even uncover a hidden musical talent they didn’t know they had.
You can expect strum-along ukulele sessions, spontaneous sing-alongs, dancing to a steel pan band or some surprising Ska, and the stand-out music parade event travelling from St Peter’s Square to the Cathedral, with families invited to take a ‘musical meander’ through the city streets.
Manchester Day is back with a ‘mammoth day’ of music-themed free fun next month / Credit: Manchester City Council
“We’ve got a mammoth summer of live music coming up in the city this year, which means it’s only right that we max out on the music for Manchester Day,” commented Councillor Pat Karney, who is the Chair of Manchester Day, as this year’s theme was announced.
“Everyone in Manchester loves music, Mancs have music in their bones, there’s so much talent here – we’re either making it or playing it, and that’s why everyone’s on the guest list for this year’s Manchester Day to help us celebrate the music that Mancunians make best.
“We’ve got a fantastic day lined up, so loosen up those vocal chords, grab a guitar, grab your granny, all the family, and don’t miss it.”
Popular Manchester streetwear and footwear brand, CLINTS Inc., is hosting its first-ever festival to mark five whole years in fashion – and it’s going to be big.
The highly sought-after clothing and sneaker make started out from a bedroom in Moston and is now a premium label in British urban, skating, UK grime and hip-hop culture, having been worn by many famous names and welcoming even more through the door of their Deansgate shop.
Located in the ABC Buildings on Quay Street next to Spinningfields, the flagship CLINTS store opened back in 2022 and is much more than a place to buy some new drip: it’s a place that showcases art, music, and a whole sub-sect of shopping beyond just skate silhouettes and trendy trainers.
As hack as it might sound to some, wearing this brand comes along with immersing yourself in the wider style and scene; the very same scene being celebrated in tandem with their fifth birthday.
Not to tease you more than the company already has, but as you can see, details are scarce.
There is no lineup or even location for this festival… only a date.
CLINTS Fest (the inaugural one, at that) will take place on Saturday, 6 September – presumably at or around the 21-23 Quay Street site, but who knows?
Fans of the brand can sign up for the mailing list for the latest details, and pre-sale tickets are also available now, with a couple of clicks on the website revealing that the event is set to start at 12 noon and wrap up around 10:30pm.
If you’re interested, you can register your interest HERE.
Credit: The Manc Group
While you can expect the festival to be packed to the rafters with die-hard followers of all things CLINTS and streetwear, they’re not the only local indie holding a special one-off this month.
In fact, this weekend, a fellow trainer specialist who is still just starting out life in the fashion game but is already making waves reminiscent of their contemporaries.
Here’s hoping this is just the beginning of the journey and they’re the next Manc brand to become a national success story.
Emily Sergeant -
7th October 2021 
