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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Full list of Manchester restaurants set to add an extra £1 to bills to tackle homelessness this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
A handful of local restaurants will be adding an extra £1 onto every bill over the festive season to help fight street homelessness.
As November arrives, the temperatures begin to start dropping, and the nights set in a little earlier, people in Greater Manchester are once again able to give back while they dine at some of the best restaurants the region has to offer in the run up to Christmas, as the successful StreetSmart fundraising initiative is back for another year.
This year, 15 fantastic restaurants have come together to support local homeless charities as the campaign launches today (1 November).
Manchester independents such as Proloco, Erst, Ezra & Gill, Stretford Canteen, and Blue Eyed Panda are among those taking part in the campaign this year, alongside several city centre chain restaurants such as Lina Stores, Tampopo, Banyan, Manahatta, and San Carlo.
Now in its 29th year, StreetSmart works by each participating restaurant adding an extra £1 to every bill they deliver throughout November and December, with all of the money raised going directly to local homeless organisations, thanks to StreetSmart’s official sponsorship from LandAid.
Manchester restaurants are adding an extra £1 to bills to help fight homelessness this Christmas / Credit: Supplied | Rifqi Ali Ridho (via Unsplash)
Since launching in 1998, the campaign has raised over £16.2 million to support charities across the UK, providing practical help, from meals and emergency accommodation to healthcare, training, housing advice and routes towards finding a permanent home.
The StreetSmart team says it’s determined to deliver another record-breaking year in 2026, and provide much-needed support to the services that help some of the most vulnerable people in the city.
Manchester restaurants taking part in StreetSmart 2026
Proloco
Hache MCR
Bar Posie
SAMPA
Blue Eyed Panda
Ezra & Gill
Erst
Little Seeds
Lina Stores
Stretford Canteen
Hawksmoor
Manahatta
San Carlo Bottega
Tampopo
Banyan Bar & Kitchen
“The festive period can be an incredibly tough time for the vulnerable people in our community,” explained Glenn Pougnet, who is the Director of StreetSmart.
“StreetSmart provides a simple way for people to help some of our city’s most in need. Giving back whilst dining out at Christmas is what StreetSmart is all about, and we’re thrilled to have so many restaurants already taking part.
“Every £1 added to a bill adds up and makes a huge difference.”
Featured Image – John Carey (Supplied)
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‘Groundbreaking’ new police team launches on Bee Network to make it one of the safest in the world
Emily Sergeant
A ‘groundbreaking’ new policing model aimed at making the Bee Network one of the safest public transport networks in the world has launched.
Described as being ‘pioneering’, the first-of-its-kind approach – named the Transport Policing and Crime Command (TPACC) – will bring Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) even closer together to tackle crime, antisocial behaviour, and safety issues across the region’s transport network.
So, how will it work then? Well, according to TfGM, the command will ‘effectively establish’ the Bee Network as GMP’s eleventh policing district.
It will bring together up to 300 personnel, including new police officers, who are all involved in keeping the network safe and providing greater reassurance to passengers travelling across the region.
Efforts to keep passengers safe on buses, trams, active travel routes, and roads across Greater Manchester will be ‘strengthened’ through the new team – improving co-ordination in response to incidents, and helping to reassure communities.
A ‘groundbreaking’ new police team has launched on the Bee Network to make it one of the safest in the world / Credit: TfGM
The new team will also incorporate the existing Roads Policing Unit within GMP that includes specialist functions such as the Central Ticket Office, the Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit, the motorbike unit, the Commercial Vehicle Unit, the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, and more.
Overall, the key focus of TPACC is to:
Increase public confidence on safety across the transport network
Reduce violence, antisocial behaviour and criminality across the transport network
Increase the number of users of the Bee Network across Greater Manchester
The launch of TPACC is said to represents ‘the next phase’ of Greater Manchester’s commitment to creating a ‘safer, more secure, and more welcoming’ transport network for everyone who lives, works, and travels across the region.
“I want a world-class Bee Network where everyone feels safe,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor, Bev Craig.
“Our new dedicated transport policing command will bring together more than 300 police and safety officers, with high-profile patrols across our roads and the Bee Network. It means a stronger presence in our communities and faster action when people need help.
“TPACC will also crack down on dangerous driving to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads, which have devastating consequences for families and communities.”
Emily Sergeant -
23rd June 2022 
