A seven year old boy from Stockport has managed to raise a whopping £470 and counting for Manchester & Cheshire Dogs’ Home ahead of the festive period.
Harley – a passionate animal lover from Marple Bridge – became an official donations collector for the local rescue shelter after beginning a two-week mission earlier this month to raise funds and treat the dogs who are sadly without homes this Christmas.
A registered charity founded in 1893, Manchester & Cheshire Dogs’ Home carries out vital work at its Harpurhey shelter to rescue, care for, and rehome our four-legged friends, but winter is always a tricky time.
And this is why Harley wanted to lend a helping hand.
Rallying together his friends, family and the local Stockport community, Harley asked for donations of tinned dog food, treats, toys, and even old bedding and blankets.
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He also started a GoFundMe page for his mission, setting an initial target of just £20.
But with a little help from his Mum – who shared his fundraising efforts to social media and garnered hundreds of responses from members of the public – Harley managed to smash his target not once, but twice, and has now raised over £470.
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How brilliant is this?
Items and funds were donated from all across the local community, and in no time at all, Harley had managed to fill his conservatory at home with toys, food, blankets, towels, treats, leads, dog coats, dog beds and more.
Everything a pup could ever need.
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Word also made its way to higher places too, as the young fundraiser proudly received a visit, letter of encouragement, and donation of items this week from Marple Councillor and Chair of Economy & Regeneration Steve Gibbon, as well as a £10 voucher from pet supplies chain Pets at Home towards his collection.
He even earned himself a worthy shoutout on the Manchester & Cheshire Dogs’ Home Facebook page too, with a post that went on to amass over 800 interactions and shares, as well as plenty of messages of support from far and wide praising his impressive fundraising efforts.
There’s no doubt he is making everyone proud after what has been a turbulent year, and his Mum has told us he is “so grateful to everyone who has donated items or money” over the past couple of weeks and are continuing to do so.
After hitting his target, Harley has decided that a chunk of the £450 raised will go directly to the home to help contribute to their vets bills.
And with just four weeks to go until Christmas Day, his mission still isn’t over.
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Harley’s fundraising collection for the Manchester & Cheshire Dogs’ Home is still open until 4th December.
Whether it be donations of items or funds, anyone can get involved, so if you have few extra pounds to spare to contribute to a worthy local cause this Christmas and help out a real Mancunian superstar, you can chip in to his official GoFundMe page here.
More information on the lifesaving work by the Manchester & Cheshire Dogs’ Home can be found via its website here.
Lantern Pike – the countryside walk with amazing views, an old railway line, and a great pub at the end
Daisy Jackson
If you’re looking for a country walk that’s got a bit of everything – we’re talking views, lakes, history, picturesque villages and, crucially, pints – this is the one.
Step across the Greater Manchester border into High Peak, and you can take on a circular walk that’s got it all.
The walk takes in all the best bits of the English countryside, from rolling hills to proper pubs.
Park in the village of Hayfield, with an optional stop at Marmalade Coffee Shop for a bacon sandwich and some caffeine.
Then head out west to join the Sett Valley Trail, which joins Hayfield and New Mills.
The trail itself is 2.5 miles and follows a former railway line – but now it’s a tree-lined trail that’s perfect for a gentle stroll, cycle or even horse ride.
Lantern Pike in the Peak District. Credit: The Manc GroupLantern Pike in the Peak District. Credit: The Manc Group
You’ll pass the Birch Vale reservoir, but won’t be following the trail all the way to New Mills.
Instead, turn off to the right to cross the River Sett and walk towards Sitch Lane.
The road will take you to the very edge of the Peak District ready for an uphill climb to the peak of Lantern Pike.
It’s not a giant by Peak District standards (373m compared to Kinder Scout’s 636m) but the views are 360 degrees – fields on all sides and the incredible Manchester skyline in the distance.
Walk straight over the summit and back down the other side, passing the Lantern Pike pub (we won’t judge if you pause for a pint here), cross the road, and join Snake Path.
This will take you past Twenty Trees, which is literally a group of trees standing on its own, and back into Hayfield.
Here you’ll find The Pack Horse, a country pub that’s gained some serious accolades in the last year.
Despite a top-notch menu, the pub is more than happy to welcome in customers (and dogs) who are covered in mud – as all good countryside boozers should.
You can see a map of the circular walking route at alltrails.com.
Featured image: The Manc Group
Feature
Hairspray lands at the Palace Theatre, proving to audience members that you really can’t stop the beat
Oli Lowe
Energetic ensemble numbers, lavish costumes and stand-out performances: Hairspray welcomes everyone to the 60s in its latest tour production.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll hold very fond memories of the 2007 movie-musical version of Hairspray, a cinematic masterpiece that breathed new life into the already iconic musical. I bring this version of the show up because until last night it was my only experience of the story.
Yes, much to my shame, I had never seen a live production of the show but after coming out of the Palace Theatre last night, I can now say that Hairspray‘s latest tour production is just as fun-loving – and as free wheeling.
From start to finish, Hairspray is a vibrant, colourful, high-energy show which takes you on the journey of teenage misfit Tracey Turnblad as she deals with the struggles of pursuing her dreams, in the face of adversity and a 1960s America that seems determined to halt progression.
The entire cast gave stellar performances from leading lady Alexander Emmerson-Kirby in the role of Tracy, all the way through to the ensemble who constantly wooed me with brilliantly executed dance routines, filled to the brim with swinging-sixties dance moves.
I’d like to take a second to highlight some standout performances, which in my opinion elevated the show to new heights. Starting with Neil Hurst in the role of Edna Turnblad, Tracy’s ‘larger-than-life’ mum.
Neil was a constant comic relief throughout a show that whilst generally lighthearted does tackle some serious issues such as unrealistic female beauty standards and racial segregation.
Neil, alongside his comedic partner Dermot Canavan, gave a standout, belly-laugh performance of their duet ‘You’re Timeless To Me’. It truly had the audience in fits of laughter and lauded huge applause from the entire theatre.
On to Gina Murray as Velma Von Tussle and Michelle Ndegwa as ‘Motormouth’ Maybelle. Both gave superb renditions of their solo numbers and showcased their experience in every scene they were in.
Murray’s rendition of Miss Baltimore Crabs (still always caught off-guard by that name) was impressive, to say the least, with the performer delivering big and bold vocals, all whilst being held upside down by a group of the male cast.
Meanwhile, Michelle Ndegwa’s version of ‘I Know Where I’ve Been’ was spellbindingly beautiful. It carried with it the weight and severity of the number, all whilst delivering knock-out vocals that were filled to the brim with pain and suffering.
Hairspray Production Photos taken on 16th July 2024 in ManchesterStunning vocals all around.
Finally, a small shoutout to Reece Richards as Seaweed. Growing up (and occasionally to this day) I tried many times to stumble my way through Seaweed’s big number, ‘Run And Tell That’, and let me tell you from experience, that’s one damn hard song to sing…
Reece delivered the number expertly, all whilst dancing in a routine that even just watching, made me feel slightly exhausted. Props to Reece… One day I will nail that opening high note (I won’t).
All in all, Hairspray delights, delivering laughter, splendor, and high fuelled entertainment from start to finish – we’d consider a must-see if you’re a fan of the film, especially.
The show runs through till 27th July and with limited tickets still available, there’s no reason to not get yourself down and enjoy an evening of mesmerising, musical fun. You can grab yours HERE.
Hairspray Production Photos taken on 16 July 2024 at the Palace Theatre in ManchesterSeriously, give it a go.