One of the most unique charity fundraisers in Manchester has sold out due to huge interest, and now a second date has been added.
This means that more daredevil Mancunians can abseil off a 26-storey city centre skyscraper.
In case you hadn’t heard, a total of 80 brave individuals are gearing up to abseil off the 26-storey One Regent Tower in Castlefield on Saturday 16 July, all with the goal of raising as much money as possible for one of the city’s most iconic charities, We Love MCR Charity, as part of its 2022 ‘Challenge Event Series’.
The abseil is just one of a set of mind-over-matter challenges that will raise funds for the charity’s work supporting Manchester’s communities and young people.
Considering that abseils are normally done by mountaineers, and not in the heart of city centres off multi-storey skyscrapers, it’s no wonder that demand has been high and places ran out so quickly.
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But it’s this generous reaction from the thrill-seeking Manchester public has led the charity to putting on an extra date of Sunday 17 July, which will make a whole weekend of the dizzying event and take the number of abseilers well into triple figures.
Over 80 brave individuals are gearing up to abseil off the 26-storey One Regent Tower in Castlefield next month / Credit: We Love MCR Charity
Some of the brave fundraisers who have already stuck their name down include the Lord Mayor of Manchester Donna Ludford, and the new Leader of Manchester City Council – and you could join them as there are now just 40 places left to take part in this unique event.
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The views of Manchester’s incredible skyline from the One Regent roof are breathtaking, and not something seen often.
“We give heart and hope to Manchester, by awarding vital funds to help disadvantaged young Mancunians reach their potential, and to support ambitious community projects,” said Ged Carter, head of We Love MCR Charity.
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“If you want to show your love for Manchester, and take on the ultimate challenge, join us ‘on the rope’ while there are spaces left.
“We dare you.”
We're well excited to confirm the location and open registration for our We Love MCR Abseil Challenge! 🪢
How does taking in views of Manchester while 270ft high up on a rope sound? Fundraise for us, and YOU can do just that this July 🏙️
If you fancy testing your mettle, then the only requirements to signing up are a £30 entry fee, and a minimum fundraising commitment of £200 for the We Love MCR Charity.
You can sign up on the We Love MCR Charity website here.
Featured Image – We Love MCR Charity
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Police release footage of missing Manchester man Adeo Alston-Ekpei’s last-known movements
Emily Sergeant
Video footage showing the last-known movements of a Manchester man who’s been missing for three weeks now has been released.
Detectives at Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are continuing to search for Adeo Alston-Ekpei, who has not been seen since Friday 16 May.
The 25-year-old was seen in Fletcher Moss Park in Didsbury at around 3pm, before later being seen walking down Kingsway away from Manchester and close to the River Mersey, at around 5.20pm that same day.
Multiple lines of enquiry being explored by police at present, but anyone who believes they may have seen him from around this time, is asked to get in touch.
Adeo is described as being a mixed-race male, with long curly black hair and a long singular dreadlock, and bleached eyebrows. He has a cupid’s bow piercing and a right eyebrow piercing. He also has an ‘AKA’ tattoo on his right wrist, and a ‘24’ tattoo in the right side of his chest.
He was last seen wearing long blue denim shorts, an undone green short-sleeved button-up shirt, and white Adidas trainers.
Friends have also recently set up a public fundraiser to help with the search for Adeo.
Adeo Alston-Ekpei has been missing for almost three weeks / Credit: GMP
“We are dedicated to finding Adeo and getting much-needed answers for his family,” commented Detective Inspector Kelly, from GMP’s Manchester district, as the footage was released to the public this week.
“I would ask any residents around the Kingsway area, and surrounding housing estates off Kingsway into Gately, and who may have dashcam or CCTV footage from around this time, to please check and get in touch if you have any information.
“Likewise, if anyone believes they have seen Adeo, please get in touch with one of our officers. Any information is appreciated and investigated as we continue our work.”
#MISSING | We are continuing to ask for information relating to missing Adeo, who was last seen on May 16.
We have additionally released CCTV footage showing Adeo’s last known movements on Kingsway, Manchester.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) June 5, 2025
A spokesperson for Adeo’s family described the missing man as ‘kind, funny, and intelligent’ with a ‘huge heart’, but they say he ‘wasn’t himself when he disappeared’.
“He may have come across as agitated, lost, or confused,” the spokesperson admitted. “In his last call to his mum, he was in a very vulnerable state.”
Anyone with any information regarding Adeo’s whereabouts is urged to contact South Manchester CID directly on 0161 856 6051 or 0161 856 6063, or you can use the LiveChat function on GMP’s website and quote log number 838 of 18/05/25.
Alternatively, you can report information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
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Tributes pour in after Heaton Park’s beloved resident donkey Ralph dies at age 40
Emily Sergeant
The time has come… one of Heaton Park’s beloved resident donkeys, Ralph, has sadly died at the impressive age of 40.
As regular visitors to Manchester‘s largest park may be aware, Ralph the donkey recently celebrated his 40th birthday – which, even more impressively, actually made him 120 in donkey years – and it was a truly incredible achievement for him to reach, especially as The Donkey Sanctuary says that the average life expectancy for a donkey is just over 30 years of age.
But earlier this week, things sadly took a turn for the worse.
Heaton Park‘s Estates Team made the decision to contact a vet for a site visit after identifying some changes with Ralph’s behaviour, and unfortunately, this was found to be caused by a ruptured intestine.
So it’s with ‘deep sadness’ that the park had to announce to the public that Ralph passed away later that afternoon.
“Ralph meant a lot to many, both staff and all our visitors, and he will be deeply missed within the park,” Heaton Park & Hall said in tribute to their beloved friend on social media this week.
They also shared an adorable image of him when he was just a young foal.
Those who had the pleasure of seeing Ralph roam the park over the past four decades soon began flooding the comments, sharing their own emotional tributes to the friendly face who’s sadly no longer with us.
Heaton Park’s beloved resident donkey Ralph celebrating his 40th birthday / Credit: Heaton Park & Hall (via Facebook)
“Sleep easy buddy, you had a wonderful charmed life and you deserved it,” one touching comment read on Facebook, while another added: “Aww Godspeed Ralph, you had a happy life, now its time to rest,” and a third commented: “So sorry to hear this sad news about Ralph, but glad to know he has enjoyed a long and happy life.”
Another tribute reads: “RIP Ralph, you brought a lot of joy to a lot of people,” as does this similar one: “Aww bless him. He’d had a long and happy life, and gave much happiness too.”
Emily Sergeant -
23rd June 2022 
