A fundraiser to fly home the body of a podcaster from Manchester who tragically died while on holiday has been launched by her family.
Eden Young – who worked as the Managing Editor of intersectional feminist arts and culture publication, Polyester, and made a name for herself as the co-host of the popular The Polyester Podcast – sadly lost her life in a tragic accident while on holiday in Madrid with her best friend last Thursday (8 June).
She was preparing to do some press work out in the Spanish capital at a festival that she’d revisited for several years with her closest friends.
But a few days before the festival took place, the 29-year-old from Manchester accidentally fell to her death from the accommodation she was staying at, her family has confirmed.
Her family said in a tribute that the news of Eden’s passing had “saddened us more than words can comprehend”.
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Tributes to Eden – who has been described a much-loved figure in the city’s hospitality and cultural arts scene – have also been pouring in online from those who knew and loved her, including from the founder and Editor in Chief of Polyester, Ione Gamble, who called her the “absolute biggest legend”.
Describing her as “funny, smart, and gorgeous”, as well as “the most loyal person I know”, Ione said Eden “loved being an absolute legend in every way” and admitted that “everyone who listens to the podcast knows this”.
“Having [Eden] on the team was the greatest privilege in the world,” Ione concluded.
Eden’s best friend, Gina – who she was on holiday with at the time of her death – also shared an emotional tribute on Instagram, explaining that she “cannot even put into words the depths of pain I am feeling over what has happened”, and that “it still doesn’t feel real.”
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“Dealing with your loss is finding a new way to break my heart minute by minute,” Gina added.
Manchester podcaster Eden Young tragically died while on holiday in Madrid / Credit: Eden Young (via Instagram)
Given the nature of Eden’s death, the costs to fly her body home from Madrid have unfortunately been left to her family – which is why they have decided to set up a GoFundMe page, and have called on the kindness of the Greater Manchester community and wider general public to donate and help them raise the money needed to fund this.
Eden’s brother, Cameron Young, explained on the GoFundMe page that the family simply want to give Eden “the send-off we know she would want and more than deserves”.
“Any donations large or small are much appreciated during this devastating time,” he added.
More than £26,000 has been raised to “help bring Eden home”, at the time of writing, with donations and heartfelt messages continuing to flood in every hour.
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Cameron also explained that the Jack The Lad charity is supporting the family with arrangements to bring Eden’s body home, and that while the majority of the funds raised from the GoFundMe will go towards this, as well as towards funeral costs, he added that “any extra money will be donated to this amazing charity”.
Transport Secretary commits to ‘transformational’ rail deal with Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
The Transport Secretary has signed a ‘transformational’ rail deal for Greater Manchester.
The Government has formally agreed to work with Greater Manchester and Mayor Andy Burnham on plans for a new railway connecting Liverpool and Manchester, via Warrington, as part of Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR).
The new Liverpool-Manchester line is said to underpin the Northern Growth Corridor – which is a bold strategy to drive growth from the Mersey to the Pennines, stretching into Yorkshire, Lancashire, North Wales, and beyond – with a key connection at Manchester Airport.
Local analysis has suggested that the new line could generate around £90 billion in additional revenue by 2040.
Also, as part of the major investment of up to £45 billion – which was announced a couple of weeks back, and is tipped to transform rail travel across the North – the Government has also said it will work with Greater Manchester partners to explore an underground option at Manchester Piccadilly station, recognising its potential as a ‘catalyst for growth’.
Local leaders say they are keen to demonstrate how an underground station could turn Piccadilly into a ‘Kings Cross of the North’.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander met with Mayor Andy Burnham last week to sign the formal agreement.
The agreement recognises the potential for an underground solution at Manchester Piccadilly, while also acknowledging the need for further ‘testing’ to make sure it will deliver value for money, and additionally sets out how the Government will work with Greater Manchester on the wider NPR scheme – which will be delivered in three stages, with the Liverpool-Manchester line to be built in the second phase.
The Transport Secretary has committed to a ‘transformational’ rail deal with Greater Manchester / Credit: TfGM (Supplied)
A formal review of the underground option at Manchester Piccadilly is to be lead by local leaders and senior civil servants.
“I’ve strengthened this Government’s clear and unwavering commitment to Northern Powerhouse Rail by signing an agreement with Mayor Burnham on the next steps for transforming connectivity in Greater Manchester,” explained Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander.
“With a new line between Manchester and Liverpool at the heart of our plans, alongside new stations at Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport, we will unlock new opportunities, more jobs and more housing for thousands of people.
“By providing early clarity on scope and phasing, we are giving Greater Manchester the certainty it needs to plan ahead and unlock the full economic and social benefits for its people.”
Featured Image – GMCA
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Police appeal after Manchester city centre shooting sees six arrested and one injured
Emily Sergeant
Police are appealing to the public for information after a shooting in Manchester city centre over the weekend.
Officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called to reports of a disturbance on Richmond Street at around 5am this past Saturday morning (24 January 2026), and upon arriving at the address, discovered that an adult male had an injury to his leg which was consistent with a gunshot wound.
The man, who has not been named, was been taken to hospital with injuries, but they have been described as ‘non-life threatening’ and ‘non-life changing’.
Following the incident, a police investigation was launched straight away.
Six men, all aged between 23 and 26-years-old, have all been arrested on suspicion of affray and firearms offences, and remain in police custody for questioning at this time while investigations are ongoing.
Superintendent Stephen Wiggins, from GMP’s City of Manchester Division, said he understands this will be a ‘concerning incident’ for the whole of Greater Manchester.
“Once the call came in, our officers acted quickly, making to the scene to establish what had unfolded at the address on Richmond Street, detaining six individuals who we believe had been involved, and we managed to recover a firearm at the address.
“I would like to reassure the community that we believe this is a targeted incident, and there is no wider threat to the general public.”
GMP is now appealing to the public for witnesses, or anyone with information, CCTV, or dashcam footage that could assist the investigation, and is urging them to contact police on 0161 856 4259 or 101, quoting log 600 of 24/01/2026.
You can also report information via LiveChat on the GMP website, or through Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Emily Sergeant -
14th June 2023 
