Wolfpack Lager has launched a limited edition rugby-inspired beer that’s raising money for motor neurone disease
It's been found that MND is 15 times more likely to occur in rugby players, so it's a fitting time of year to be raising awareness and funds for crucial research.
London-based brewer Wolfpack Lager has created a special new rugby-inspired beer that is helping raise money for motor neurone disease and you can find it at a select few pubs in and around Greater Manchester.
Wolfpack Brewing Co. has teamed up with Stonegate Group, who operate around 4,800 pubs throughout the UK, to launch the aptly named ‘Second Row IPA’ in support of players like former professional rugby union star Ed Slater.
So, in an effort to help raise some money for the MNDA (Motor Neurone Disease Association) and awareness during this year’s Rugby World Cup, which kicked off last week, the pair have now released their brand new charitable beer across 400 different pubs — including several around our way.
With the crisp, floral ale with vibrant citrus notes being served right throughout the tournament and 20p of every pint sold going directly to the MNDA, Hargreaves, Wyles and all the Wolfpack team are hoping to raise lots of money for a crucial cause.
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As Oldham’s very own Kevin Sinfield has often echoed, “MND isn’t incurable, it’s underfunded”, so opportunities like the 2023 Rugby World Cup, which can help bring the issue to the forefront as Sinfield, Burrows, Weir and so many others have done in recent years, are so important.
Co-founder and former rugby union star Hargreaves said in a statement: “We are incredibly proud to be launching Second Row IPA in partnership with Stonegate Pub Group. We’ve set ourselves an ambitious target of raising £10,000 through sales of the beer to support the MNDA – a cause very close to our hearts as ex-rugby players.
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“Equally as importantly, we also want to raise awareness of the disease via this campaign and would encourage people to visit the MNDA website to learn more about why the fundraising is so vital.”
As for the Stonegate pub chain, Chief Commercial Officer, Melissa Wisdom, added: “We are proud to partner with Wolfpack and stand with the rugby and MND community to launch Second Row IPA to raise both awareness and important funds in the fight against MND.
“We hope our guests really enjoy this beer and join us in supporting such an important cause.”
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The Rugby World Cup ends on 28 October and you can try the brand-new Second Row Session IPA from any one these fine pubs between now and then, all of which are within or less than an hour from Greater Manchester:
Barley Mow – Warrington
Cross Keys Hotel – Knutsford
Kings Tap – Cheadle Hulme
Lord Eldon – Knutsford
Old Roebuck – Altrincham
Pride of the Peaks – New Mills
Red Bull – Eccles
White Lion – Disley
Willow Tavern – Failsworth
Although not currently available to order on the website, hopefully you’ll be able to purchase some Second Row and keep helping the charity whilst enjoying a beer soon.
adidas and JD are giving away FREE Nell’s pizza with a Manchester Marathon medal
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Marathon finishers will be able to reward themselves with free Nell’s pizza this weekend, thanks to a collaboration with adidas and JD.
The sportswear giants will be teaming up with one of the city’s top pizza spots to hand out the ultimate post-race reward at Kampus this Sunday.
It’s all to celebrate the launch of the new adidas EVO SL ATRs, a shoe that’s built with running miles in mind.
And there’ll be a chance to grab an exclusive t-shirt too, and have your official marathon finish time branded on-site.
adidas and JD are giving away FREE Nell’s pizza with a Manchester Marathon medal / Credit: Supplied
As well as a free slice of Nell’s famous New York-style pizza and a drink, Manchester Marathon finishers will be able to enter into a range of giveaways, with prizes including the EVO SL ART, adidas merch, and range of other prizes.
And you’ll be recovering with a slice in hand and a live DJ keeping the post-race energy high
All you need to do is show your Manchester Marathon medal at Nell’s at Kampus, to grab your free slice, and check out adidas and JD’s latest drop.
Friends and family are encouraged to join too – after all, all runners know a marathon isn’t possible without that support crew.
There are also a bunch of giveaways and more to look forward to / Credit: Supplied
Pizza slices will be handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis, so make sure your sprint to Nell’s is your fastest yet.
Thankfully, the adidas EVO SL’s are built for speed…
adidas x JD x Nell’s – Manchester Marathon event
Taking place on Sunday 19 April, from 12pm to 8pm
Free pizza slice and a drink when you show your Manchester Marathon medal (while stocks last)
Exclusive merch and great prize giveaways from adidas and JD
Plus photo moments, live DJs, and more
Find it at The Bungalow, Kampus, M1 3GL (next to Nell’s)
Sacha Lord set to back local hospitality again with money behind the bar of one Greater Manchester pub
Danny Jones
Local figure Sacha Lord is once again looking to help support Greater Manchester’s food and drink scene once again this spring by putting a total of £2.5k behind the bar of one lucky pub.
Well, let’s be honest, we’re about to be the real lucky ones.
It’s far from the first time that the Night Time Economy Advisor has done this, having previously put sizeable sums towards shared tabs on a few ocassions over the last few years.
Lining up his next handout for this coming early May bank holiday (perfect timing), it’s going to be a super and potentially very sloppy Sunday…
Tell me your favourite pub in Greater Manchester.
Bank Holiday Sunday 3rd May, I’ll be turning up and putting £2500 behind the bar.
Sharing the video above online earlier this week, the 54-year-old simply wrote, “Tell me your favourite pub in Greater Manchester. Bank Holiday Sunday, 3rd May, I’ll be turning up and putting £2500 behind the bar.”
The message is as straightforward as ever: “Support your local pub.”
Now obviously, the fact that people can reply with their go-to boozers and help influence the decision is one thing – something that has certainly always created an attraction each time he’s done this – but it’s also just a good way of marketing these watering holes to begin with.
Whether or not someone’s favourite public house tucked away in one of the 10 boroughs, or their bar of choice here in Manchester city centre, ends up being selected or not, it’s obviously great publicity having their names plastered on a notable social media account.
This is especially so when you see how much the post itself ends up being reshared and the overall exposure Lord ultimately lends them via creating such a big crowd discussion.
Here’s hoping we get proper beer garden weather over that long weekend.
It’s also worth noting that the further support stunts like this have helped garner support for other regional businesses – in particular, indies that are battling the cost of living crisis and so many other challenges within the sector – has proved crucial for some places to stay open to begin with.
A good example is the Thirsty Korean, who teamed up with the Altrincham-born entrepreneur to cover hundreds of bills back in 2023, and has now been able to expand into a larger venue down the road from their original Chorlton location.
The obstacles facing the hospitality industry remain varied and numerous, but gestures like this can go a long way to helping prop up those who need it.
Danny Jones -
11th September 2023 
