Manchester

Amazing video shows team of Santas delivering booze to students trapped in isolation

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 23rd December 2021

A team of people dressed as Santa Claus have been out spreading festive cheer to stranded students this week.

They’ve been delivering free presents to people stuck in isolation with Covid-19 over Christmas.

And it’s the sort of present the majority of students appreciate the most – alcohol.

A heart-warming video shows The Manchester Students’ Group out throwing cans of hard seltzer through the windows of university accommodation around the city.

Members were also leaving crates of booze on doorsteps for people who have tested positive for coronavirus.

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You can watch the video from MSG below:

Credit: Instagram, @manchesterstudentsgroup

Students who are having to spend Christmas without their families this year were able to request a drop-off of Mike’s Hard Seltzer.

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The MSG, which is the UK’s largest online student community made up of 60,000 members, said it just wanted to cheer up those stuck in halls over the festive season.

Farris Ramzy from MSG said: “We know a lot of people are having to isolate at moment, and student halls/shared accommodation isn’t great at the best of times – let alone on Christmas morning, away from the rest of your friends and family.

MSG out delivering booze to students. Credit: Supplied

“We wanted to give back to our MSG community in a fun way, and hope whoever got a crate felt a even a little bit better – we know how difficult this year has been for students! 

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“It was great seeing all the positive messages about it from everyone, and we’ll be looking to do things like this a lot more.”

Read more: A Morecambe and Wise episode lost for 50 years is being aired on Christmas Day

One of the recipients of the booze drops said: “Wouldn’t have got through my birthday without yas.”

Another said: “Legends. Sorted us out.”

The MSG’s private forum allows students to share stories and get recommendations.

Featured image: Supplied

Manchester

Manchester set for its busiest weekend of the year with pop-up Park and Rides to open

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Pop-up Park and Ride facilities are set to open as Manchester prepares for what’s expected to be its busiest weekend of the year.

The festive season in the run up to Christmas always sees more people flock to the city centre than usual, but this weekend will likely be even busier than expected, as not only are Manchester Christmas Markets still in full swing, but there are also a number of gigs, live festive shows, and major sporting events coinciding with this.

Paul McCartney plays Co-op Live on Sunday night, the AO Arena hosts five showings of the ever-popular Disney on Ice across the weekend, and Manchester City face Manchester United in a Premier League showdown at the Etihad too.

So in a weekend that sees legends gigging and the Manchester Derby take place, as you would expect, thousands are predicted to flock to Manchester city centre and Etihad Campus.

Where to find the cheapest drinks at the Manchester Christmas Markets, from beer to mulled wine
Manchester Christmas Markets are in full swing and Paul McCartney will be at Co-op Live this weekend / Credit: The Manc Group | Wikimedia Commons

Because of this, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is taking action and encouraging people to dodge the likely congestion and use public transport instead where possible – with pop-up Park and Rides set to be introduced for weekend shoppers and fun-seekers who do want or need to drive.

On Saturday and Sunday, Booth Street West Car Park D (M15 6PD) – which will have 965 parking spaces available – will be free for customers travelling to the city centre by bus, and then again on Sunday, the same car park will be free for those attending Paul McCartney at Co-op Live.

Your ticket to the gig must be shown on entry, before a dedicated shuttle bus then takes you from the car park to the Etihad Campus.

Disney On Ice will be hosting four shows at AO Arena this weekend / Credit: Supplied

Shuttle buses – which are only available on the Sunday – will depart from Higher Cambridge Street and run to Co-op Live and back every 15 mins from 4pm until midnight.

Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground (Talbot Road, Stretford, M16 0PX) will also have 500 parking spaces available for Metrolink customers on Sunday, but you must show a valid pre-booked tram ticket to park there.

Anyone else planning to drive across the weekend may also want to consider using one of the permanent Park and Ride sites and complete their journey on foot or by public transport, and you can find more information and the locations of these sites on the Bee Network website here.

Tram capacity has been increased for the festive season, with every available tram running until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

The V1 and 36 bus services now also run 24 hours a day.

Read more:

Other late-running buses on the Bee Network from Manchester include the 43 service to Manchester Airport, the 86 to Sale, and the 142 to East Didsbury. 

All public transport live departure times can be found on the Bee Network website.

Featured Image – TfGM

Manchester

You can send messages of hope to a veteran in Greater Manchester this Christmas

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

A Manchester veteran is urging local people to show support by writing messages to other veterans who suffer with physical and mental challenges.

Lamin Manneh, who served in Afghanistan, is fronting this initiative alongside Help For Heroes with the aim to deliver as many uplifting messages as possible to veterans who need a little pick-me-up this Christmastime.

The Manchester-born veteran experienced his own struggles while serving for the Armed Forces losing both legs and an arm whilst on patrol.

There are at least 7,700 veterans in Manchester and there are even more that can be supported by Help For Heroes.

Their latest campaign ‘Send A Christmas Message To A Veteran’ allows anyone to upload their own words and pictures of support that veterans can access virtually.

It’s easy to access and the message is uploaded straight away meaning people can reach it through any digital or desktop device whenever they need.

Last year, Christmas cards with some inspiring messages and words of support were distributed between more than 9,500 veterans and the Armed Forces charity are hoping to reach even more.

These cards are vital to any retired soldier as Help For Heroes knows for some people this may be the only card they receive this year.

Pairing this with the fact that many veterans are affected by both physical and mental challenges which limit socialising, Christmas can be a tricky time for them.

Some of the messages posted to the online wall have images attached to them too, which you can also do, including some of the cutest dogs, that’s sure to put a smile on anyone’s face.

Manneh said: “During military service, service men and women have a strong support network and a close-knit community, but transitioning to civilian life can destroy that.

“Coupled with physical and mental health issues, which can prevent them from socialising, Christmas can become a time filled with dread rather than a celebration.

“Loneliness can lead to unnecessary thoughts coming to you, which can cause so much harm. Therefore, it is paramount for anyone who needs help to reach out. 

“I know from last year that receiving messages from Help for Heroes supporters made a massive difference to some people and showed there are people out there who care. It also encouraged veterans to come forward and get support.”

If you want to get involved and show your support with a few words of encouragement and empathy, you can do so via their virtual message wall here.

Read more:

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Featured Image: Supplied

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