A charity football match played last month in honour of the Manchester Arena attack victims and their families has raised over £80,000.
With this year marking five years since the bombing that saw 22 people tragically lose their lives on 22 May 2017, the Manchester Remembers match was played ahead of the anniversary last month at Manchester City’s Academy Stadium – with star-studded teams of ex-professionals and celebrities lacing up their boots for the occasion.
Famous Manc comedian Jason Manford played for the celebrity team on the day, alongside Bolton-born actor, comedian, and TV presenter Paddy McGuiness, while ex-Manchester City stars Shaun Goater and Trevor Sinclair featured for the former players team, along with other ex-professionals Paul Merson, Matt Le Tissier, Wes Brown, and Clayton Blackmore.
‘King of the Jungle’ Danny Miller, Love Island star Callum Jones, and comedian Steve Royle also played for the celebrities team.
Former Manchester City players Peter Reid and Joe Royle were in charge of coaching the celebrities’ team, and longtime football manager ‘Big Sam’ Allardyce headed up the team of ex-players.
The Manchester Remembers match was played on Sunday 3 April at Manchester City’s Academy Stadium / Credit: MCR Remembers (via Twitter)
The Manchester Remembers match was put together by local business owner Paul Corrigan and firefighter Aaron Lee – who was one of the first responders to attend the scene of the incident, and who had already raised over £40,000 for charities and also established the ‘Hive 22 Running Club’ in the aftermath of the Arena attack.
And now there is a further £82,492 from the match to add to the already-impressive total.
Taking to Twitter to announce the final fundraising total now that it’s all been tallied up, MCR Remembers thanked everyone “for all your support”, and confirmed that all benefitting charities will receive £16,498 each.
Worth the wait…
£8️⃣2️⃣,4️⃣9️⃣2️⃣.0️⃣0️⃣ !!
Eighty Two Thousand, Four Hundred and Ninety Two pounds !!!
The funds were raised for five different charities set up by the families of the victims of the Manchester Arena attack – Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust, Liv’s Trust, The Megan Hurley Foundation, The Remembering Nell Foundation, and Eilidh’s Trust.
“What happened on that night shocked not just Manchester but the world,” Aaron Lee said ahead of the match.
“We had to do something special and remember those that were so sadly taken from their families and felt launching a city-wide football game would help us raise funds that could really make a difference.”
Jet2 and Greggs is offering Mancs the chance to win a luxury holiday for the price of a sausage roll
Thomas Melia
Jet2 has teamed up with Greggs to announce a new competition where you can win a holiday for the price of a sausage roll.
If you didn’t know by now, ‘Nothing beats a Jet2 Holiday’, and as the British budget airline launches its latest collaboration where you can win a holiday for the same price as a sausage roll, we’d say that’s pretty accurate.
Fancy laying down in the scorching heat and baking yourself just like a trusty Greggs sausage roll? Well it’s a good thing these two iconic companies have teamed up then, because now you can do just that.
Jet2 and Greggs are giving away a three-night all-inclusive holiday to Marbella for the same price as everyone’s flaky-pastry favourite priced at £1.30.
In a video shared to social media, internet personalities Charley Marlowe and Luke Hamnett announced this brand-new offer in an extremely on-brand way.
The video sees the pair taking on very different roles, quite literally, as Hamnett dresses as a sausage roll while Marlowe tries her hand as a cabin crew member.
This exclusive campaign sees you in with the chance of winning a three-night all-inclusive holiday to the luxury Spanish destination, staying at Iberostar Selection Marbella Coral Beach from 2 October – 5 October 2025.
Jet2 and Greggs is offering a luxury holiday for the price of a sausage roll / Credit: Laura Barry (via Unsplash) | Greggs
On top of this, you’ll also get a handful of Jet2 and Greggs co-branded goodies sent to your door before take-off, and there may even be a present or two in your hotel room as well.
I think it’s safe to say there certainly will be carbs in Marbs.
Police ‘stop and search’ powers authorised following double stabbing in Piccadilly Gardens
Emily Sergeant
Section 60 ‘stop and search’ powers have been introduced in Manchester following a double stabbing in Piccadilly Gardens last night.
Beginning this morning (Thursday 3 July) and set to be in place for 24 hours, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has authorised a section 60 in the city centre, with powers effective on Ring Road between Great Ancoats Street and Trinity Way, and Irwell Street between Trinity Way and New Quay Street.
Police will have the right to stop and search anyone they have suspicions over within the area during the authorised time frame.
The section 60 powers come under the 1994 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, and after having run for the full 24 hours, is set to expire at 12:53am on Friday 4 July 2025.
The section 60 authority comes after GMP says it received multiple calls of an ‘ongoing disturbance’ where weapons were ‘seen and had potentially been used’ in Piccadilly Gardens, and when officers attended the scene, they found two men – one in his 20s and another in his 30s – both with stab wounds.
#INCIDENT | This morning (Thursday 3 July 2025), we authorised a Section 60 authority in the outlined area of the city centre.
The Section 60 is in place following a double stabbing in Piccadilly Gardens at around 12.50am.
— Manchester City Centre Police (GMP) (@GMPCityCentre) July 3, 2025
Both men remain in hospital at this time – with one receiving ongoing treatment, and the other remaining in critical condition.
No arrests have been made at this stage, and investigations are ongoing.
“The Section 60 authority put in place overnight gives officers additional powers which will be utilised to prevent any further incidents or the carrying of weapons,” commented Chief Inspector Rob MacGregor, from GMP’s City Centre division.
“There will be a significant presence of officers, particularly on foot patrol in the area today.
“If you have any concerns or any information, then please speak to those officers who will reassure and respond to any queries.”
CI MacGregor added that Section 60 powers are ‘crucial’ to preventing potential further offences or instances of violence in the community.
Anyone with information or footage relating to this incident is urged to contact GMP on 101, quoting log 71 of 03/07/2025, or report it via the LiveChat online at www.gmp.police.uk.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Emily Sergeant -
18th May 2022 
