News

Aitch helps hand out Christmas presents and supplies to Manc families with local community-driven fashion brand Drama Call

We look around and all we see is a bunch of absolute legends.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 20th December 2023

Manchester-based fashion brand Drama Call invited along Manc music star Aitch to help them pass out early Christmas presents and supplies to local families this week.

As part of their final winter giveback event of 2023 dubbed, ‘The Big Drama’, thriving fashion label Drama Call put boots and wheels on the ground on Tuesday night to hand out hundreds of freebies to those in need throughout the community.

Enlisting the help of plenty of volunteers, the Moston-born rapper and a fleet of vans packed with everything from his drink brand SYPS, Christmas turkeys from Zouk and even a shed load of PlayStation 5s, Drama Call helped spread some extra festive cheer out on the streets and in person.

Legends.

aitch hands out christmas presents
drama call giveaway events
Aitch and dozens of others dished out Christmas presents, groceries, clothes and more on a frosty night in 0161. (Credit: Alfie Wheeler)

Setting up outside of Old Trafford Sports Barn near Seymour Park, just down the road from the Trafford Bar tram stop, the heartwarming handout of valuable supplies and gifts went directly into the hands of those who otherwise couldn’t afford to give their families everything they want/need this holiday season.

Starting from 6pm onwards, those involved passed out PS5s to wide-eyed little kids, big joints of meat to parents looking to make sure no one goes hungry this Christmas, Adidas trainers, nappies, toys and more.

Founded by Charlie Bows and having recently celebrated its fifth anniversary, the brand has carried countless community-driven and led activations across Greater Manchester and the team prides themselves not only on being “made in Manny” but also on being much “deeper than clothes”.

They say they have been overwhelmed by the flood of messages thanking them for the touching gesture. You only had to spot the look on the faces of the mums, children and all those who turned up to see how much it meant to everyone, especially at this time of year.

Seeing little ones made up is making us well up.

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It isn’t the first time Aitch has shown his charitable side either, having taken part in a charity skydive on behalf of Down Syndrome awareness earlier this year.

As for Drama Call, this is their bread and butter: they’re all about encouraging other brands to use their platform for the greater good and make an impact in their local communities. Alfie Wheeler of Arumba Cokctails, who also chipped in on the event, said in a LinkedIn post that it was “personally the best night of my life… spirits were high, vibes spot on and some of the reactions/smiles were priceless.”

Committed to much more than just flogging any old thread with a logo on, this was just the latest in a long line in a series of similar events and clearly brought joy during what is often such a difficult period for so many.

Well done to everyone who took part in spreading some positivity this December and we hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.

You can check out Drama Call’s brand and past community events HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Supplied

News

Greater Manchester Mayors deliver update on Salford Red Devils situation

Danny Jones Danny Jones Mayor Andy Burnham statement update after Salford Red Devils RFL meeting

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham revealed details from the minutes of his meeting with the Rugby Football League (RFL) over the August bank holiday, sharing key updates from the crucial sit-down in hopes of securing the future of Salford Red Devils.

The Mayor and his Salford counterpart, Paul Dennett, met with chief executive Tony Sutton and other key RFL figures to discuss the ongoing crisis at Salford Red Devils, who remain on the brink of collapse.

For context, amid growing financial pressures and having to loan players from other clubs to stay afloat, the club had to reassure fans that their most recent fixture this past weekend would even go ahead following the late cancellation of the previous round against Wakefield Trinity.

Supporters marched on the streets of 0161’s second city in the immediate aftermath, expressing their dismay at the continuing struggles both behind the scenes and off the pitch, and Burnham was quick to call a meeting with the RFL as a result. The fans have remained in full voice throughout.

Posting a joint statement on social media, the pair wrote: “We would like to take the opportunity to thank the RFL and clubs across the Super League for their ongoing commitment to assist Salford Red Devils in fulfilling all other fixtures and get the club to the end of the season.

“Following that meeting, we have requested a meeting this Friday with the Jacobsen Management Group, the current owners, to discuss our serious concerns over the future of the club.

“The impending HMRC court hearing, the failure to meet tax obligations, the delay in payment of wages, and the lack of financial investment have resulted in a complete loss of confidence in the ownership among fans and the wider Salford and rugby community.”

Stating that “Salford Red Devils [still] face an uncertain future”, leading fan group The 1873 confessed that while it has been seen as a “welcome step”, it nevertheless “felt short of reassurance and commitment we’d hoped for.”

In short, they said: “We will no longer sit back while the club we love is reduced to a shell by those who do not speak to us, do not listen, and do not understand what Salford means.” They also called out the somewhat one foot in, one foot out ownership group and so-called current ‘stewards’ of the club directly.

You can read their response in full down below.

Furthermore, Burnham and Dennett went on to add: “Following discussions between the parties involved, there is clear agreement that Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Salford City Council and the Rugby Football League are resolute in their commitment to safeguard the club.

“We are committed to working together to secure the long-term future of the club, to implement a city-wide rugby strategy, and to honour the generations of players, supporters, and communities who have carried its spirit through more than 150 years of rugby league.”

What about you, Salford Red Devils fans – what did you make of both statements, and how hopeful are you that the storm will clear around the club?

The latest on Salford Red Devils’ financial situation as ‘winding-up’ petition is adjourned

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Hullian111 (via Wikimedia Commons)/Scottish Government (via Flickr)

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Plans to expand Greater Manchester’s tram network progress after £6m funding boost

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant A Metrolink tram in Manchester city centre

Plans for new tram and train connections across Greater Manchester have taken a big step forward after a £6m funding boost.

Last month, Mayor Andy Burnham and local council leaders pledged for 90% of people in Greater Manchester to be within a five-minute walk of a bus or tram that comes at least every 30 minutes by 2030 – and now, plans to deliver this strategy are one step closer to becoming reality thanks to significant investment.

Transport leaders have now confirmed a pipeline of ‘rapid transit’ schemes for the future.

£6 million of funding was signed-off by the Bee Network Committee earlier last week, following plans being discussed by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

The work is all part of a wider plan, known as the Greater Manchester Strategy, to link every borough in Greater Manchester up the Metrolink network – with a long-term plan for major expansion of the Bee Network.

This funding boost comes after it was confirmed in early June that trams would finally be making their way to Stockport after long-time rumours.

Plans to expand Greater Manchester’s tram network have progressed after a £6m funding boost / Credit: TfGM

Some of the major projects this £6m funding will pay for advancing planning towards include finalising strategies for extending the Metrolink to Stockport from East Didsbury this autumn, with construction to begin in 2030, and beginning strategy work on the completion of the Metrolink Airport Line ‘Western Leg’ – which would serve a number of ‘key growth areas’ at the Airport, Wythenshawe Hospital, and Davenport Green.

Another important project the funding will go towards is the preparation of the Strategic Outline Case for expanding Metrolink connections to Salford Crescent and Salford Quays, and out to the north west of the region – including potential options for links to Leigh, Wigan, and Bolton.

Work will also continue on plans for an Oldham-Rochdale-Heywood-Bury tram-train route too – with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) says its leaders are aiming for construction on the scheme to begin in 2028.

Mayor Andy Burnham says the funding with help connect all 10 boroughs to the Metrolink / Credit: TfGM

Even more importantly, early development work on plans for the recently-proposed new underground system can start thanks to the funding boost.

“Every part of our region needs to feel the benefits of Greater Manchester’s growth,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham.

“To make sure that happens, we’ve pledged to connect our people and communities to new opportunities better than ever before.

“We’re planning to connect all 10 boroughs to the ever-popular Metrolink network as part of a long-term, sustained expansion of the Bee Network.

Read more:

“This latest funding means we can develop the case for a pipeline of both tram and tram-train new lines and extensions – and ultimately underground infrastructure in the city centre – to make sure we get a public transport system befitting the global city region we are.”

Featured Image – Janus Boye

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