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Asda is giving out free hot drinks to emergency responders this winter

It's the least we can do for our emergency services.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 6th November 2023

Asda is giving away free hot drinks to Britain’s emergency responders to help them get through their shifts this winter.

The UK supermarket chain’s new initiative will see that all paramedics, police officers and firefighters will be able to get their hands on a warming cup of tea or coffee multiple times during their long hours, with the service available all day, every day — including in Asda‘s 24-hour stores.

Opening the scheme up from over 330 Asda Stores, cafes and Express shops to help make their shifts that little bit easier during the colder weather in the lead-up to Christmas, it’s a great idea that surely everyone can get behind.

Active from 1 November right up until 31 December 2023 when emergency responders are waiting in the wings to help during the ever-unpredictable New Year’s Eve, so long as they come in-store wearing their uniform, they’ll be able to grab a quick brew or two at no charge. Lovely stuff.

Petition to make free hot drinks for emergency responders the standard at all supermarkets? (Credit: Asda)

Better still, with countless crucial key workers inside the supermarkets also busy with their shifts, members of the police, ambulance or fire service can help themselves to free tea or coffee not only from the Asda Cafe but the self-service Costa or Leon machines as well.

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Speaking on this kind and convenient scheme, Asda’s Chief People and Corporate Affairs Officer, Hayley Tatum, said: “This initiative is a token of our appreciation for the tireless work that our emergency responders are carrying out in the communities in which we operate.

“Whether on duty, enjoying a break or finishing a shift, we invite them to pop in, say hi and grab a cuppa.”

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Likewise, Asda and its customers are always spotlighting their own staff for a job well done as they know how needed their roles are and recognise their importance, especially during the holiday season.

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Off-duty responders with a Blue Light Card can also receive 10% back in their Cashpot account on all fresh purchases including fresh meat, fish and ready meals when they scan their Asda Rewards app at the checkout — a deal that is on all year-round, not just this winter).

It’s great to see the supermarket putting together schemes like this and free drinks for emergency responders is by no means the only one; in fact, Asda has launched four different helpful initiatives to help local communities this year.

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Another vital one that has just rolled out recently is their ‘winter warmer’ deal, where those over 60 can get similar access to hot drinks as the emergency services as well as a portion of soup for just a pound.

Asda launches ‘winter warmer’ cafe deal for over 60s with soup and unlimited hot drinks for £1

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Featured Image — Asda

News

A local employment charity is looking to raise £25,000 for Greater Manchester women this Christmas

Danny Jones Danny Jones Womens employment charity Greater Manchester

The regional arm of a nationwide employment charity that specialises in helping women into the workplace is aiming to raise a minimum of £25,000 for Greater Manchester locals this Christmas.

Smarts Works, an organisation that does crucial work to combat unemployment all over the UK, is ramping up its year-round efforts this festive period – a time that can prove difficult for many – to help women secure jobs and support those that land them in their new roles.

Teaming up with, The Big Give (the leading match-funding programme in the country), the charity hopes to potentially double its target amount to reach what could be a life-changing sum or hundreds if not thousands across the region.

Not only will this crucial funding help support Smart Works in its mission to empower unemployed women, equipping them with the confidence, skills and tools they need to secure employment, but it will also help spread awareness and access surrounding the organisation’s vital services.

Credit: Smart Works (supplied)


Starting from the week commencing on Tuesday, 3 December and running until 10 December, any financial donation Smart Works receives for their Christmas fundraiser will be matched by The Big Give.

This means that should they surpass their £25k target, they could potentially unlock over £50k for their centres here in Manchester and Stockport, with other facilities providing much-needed help all over the North West.

How much they manage to raise by the end of the week, the money will go towards funding tailored coaching sessions, interview preparation new starter support and even supplying applicants with work-
appropriate clothing for women who need it most around the region.

Better than just helping people enter or get back into the working world, Smart Works also supports unemployed women right throughout the process, from making sure they dress for the job they want, receiving coaching to nail the interview and continuing to provide help once they’ve started.

Over two-thirds of women who use the Smart Works service find employment within a month of their
appointment. Last year in Greater Manchester alone, Smart Works helped more than 833 women; nationally into work and the charity aims to support 10,000 women nationwide this year.

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The fundraising page opens from 12pm today (3 December) and will remain open until the same time a week from now, giving us Mancs plenty of chance to make a difference.

Another key area of Smart Works’ most important areas of work is outreach: i.e. actively engaging with townships and villages, referral partners and job fairs to encourage as many referrals as possible, which goes a long way to building stronger community connections.

During the challenging holiday season and with a cost of living crisis still looming large over all of us, the value of initiatives like this in Manchester and the work done by the important employment charity cannot be overstated.

You can do your bit by donating HERE.

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

Featured Images — Smarts Works Greater Manchester (supplied)

News

Gregg Wallace apologises after Downing Streets labels ‘middle-class women’ comments ‘misogynistic’

Danny Jones Danny Jones Gregg Wallace apologises for middle class women comments

Gregg Wallace has issued an official apology as he looks to be in increasing trouble not only over recent reports of his misconduct on set but his subsequent reaction to the allegations and now viral “middle-class women” comments.

The 60-year-old MasterChef presenter and well-known foodie face stepped down from the BBC cooking show last week after a total of 13 people came forward to complain about his ‘sexual’ behaviour over the course of a 17-year period.

Despite having denied an initial accusation from a former female colleague regarding an incident back in 2018, in which insists no comments or actions of a sexual nature were made, a dozen more individuals have now submitted historical complaints to the corporation and a full investigation is underway.

However, in an Instagram story shared on Sunday, Wallace was quick to dismiss the claims made by what he called “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age” – a response which was quickly met with a severe backlash online.

Equally problematic was his suggestion that because he had worked with an estimated 2,000 people during his time on the show the words of “only 13” women were somehow less valid and/or believable.

Having also shared a video thanking all of those supporting him, as well as numerous other stories featuring personal messages from people both on and off the show defending him, he has continued to rebuke those who have put his conduct over the past two decades under a microscope.

That being said, it looks as though the now former TV personality and household name is doubling back after even Downing Street came out to condemn his comments, with a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer labelling the response video “completely inappropriate and misogynistic.”

Having since deleted a number of his IG stories and now shared a follow-up video to his initial reply, telling his followers: “I want to apologise for any offence that I caused with my post yesterday and any upset I may have caused to a lot of people.”

He said that he was not in a “good head space” when he posted the response and has been dealing with a lot of stress since the story broke, adding, “I felt very alone.” You can see the clip down below.

As you see, the ex-green grocer and restaurant owner said he intends to step away from the story for now and let the in-house investigation move forward without interruption.

Both the BBC and production company, Banijay UK – who make MasterChef and the various spin-off series on which Gregg Wallace has served as a co-host – are currently conducting an internal review of those complaints made by former contestants and staff, including a BBC news anchor.

While none of the allegations are yet to be proved, one former male contestant reportedly told Sky News that the current allegations are just the “tip of the iceberg“, claiming he witnessed a “toxic environment” and was so “horrified” he considered quitting the show on his first day.

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

Featured Images — BBC/Gregg Wallace (screenshots via Instagram/YouTube)

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