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”.
GMP officer sentenced after hitting pedestrian during police chase in Rochdale
Emily Sergeant
A police officer has been sentenced this week after he struck and ‘seriously injured’ a pedestrian following a pursuit of a suspected drink driver in Rochdale.
35-year-old Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer PC Sam Lockley pleaded guilty back in January 2026 following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation.
The IOPC investigation established that, in the early hours of the morning on 19 November 2023, PC Lockley was driving a marked police vehicle with the lights and sirens activated, and attempted to stop a suspected drunk driver on Drake Street in Rochdale.
A short pursuit that commenced but stopped merely a minute later after the police vehicle collided with a pedestrian on the footpath of Rochdale Road at approximately 3:30am.
The evidence gathered indicated that PC Lockley failed to slow down as he approached and drove through the red traffic lights at the Kingsway junction, and was travelling at a speed of 96mph in a 30mph zone.
The pedestrian suffered ‘serious injuries’ as a result of the collision, and received extensive medical treatment following.
At a hearing back in February of this year, PC Lockley received a two-year suspended sentence and was ordered to carry out 15 days community service, while also receiving two-year driving disqualification.
Also following the investigation, the IOPC decided that Lockley should face a gross misconduct hearing to face allegations that his manner of driving breached the police standards of professional behaviour.
“We continue to liaise with the force about disciplinary proceedings,” the IOPC concluded.
IOPC Director Amanda Rowe added: “My sympathies remain with the man, who sustained serious injuries, and all those affected by the incident.
“This was a complex investigation which relied on extensive amounts of data and expert analysis and the evidence showed PC Lockley drove at excessive speeds at night-time and although he was responding to a report of a suspected drink driver, it does not excuse his manner of driving.
“PC Lockley admitted he drove in a dangerous manner when he didn’t address hazards or warnings during the pursuit and ultimately by the time he saw the pedestrian, he was travelling too fast to avoid a collision.
“His actions that day have had long-lasting consequences and he has now been held accountable.”
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Manchester Town Hall is FINALLY taking wedding and events bookings for the first time since 2018
Emily Sergeant
A new era is on the horizon, as Manchester Town Hall has announced that it’ll be finally taking bookings for weddings and events once again.
That’s right… for the first time since it closed its doors to the public for what is the UK’s biggest restoration project to date back in 2018, one of Manchester’s most iconic landmarks is soon set to welcome its first weddings and events in a decade – with bookings for the city’s most romantic address now open once again.
Manchester Town Hall has stood at the centre of civic life in the city since 1877, and for generations, couples have exchanged their vows within its walls.
Now, as it enters the home stretch of its restoration, the Grade I-listed building is gearing up to kickstart weddings and corporate events from January 2028.
Set reopen to the public next year, first up will be a series of celebratory reopening events – which are yet to be announced – before a phased approach will then allow the building and teams to be fully prepared to host commercial events again from 2028.
Manchester Town Hall has announced that it’s finally taking wedding and events bookings for the first time since 2018 / Credit: Supplied
From its grand architecture and soaring stained glass windows, to sweeping staircases that offer the perfect ‘just married’ photo opportunities, this one-of-a-kind venue gives couples the opportunity to combine the romance and grandeur of a historic setting with the energy of a city centre celebration.
Inside the restored building, you’ll find The Great Hall, which is a magnificent setting with striking architectural character, as well as The Conference Hall, The Banqueting Hall, and The Reception Room, all of which offer equally characterful spaces that are perfect for private dinners, ceremonies, or corporate events.
The Lord Mayor’s Parlour is one of many settings overlooking the newly reopened Albert Square, while various elegant reception areas provide the perfect location for drinks and arrival moments.
“Our Town Hall is a real Victorian masterpiece and we’re looking forward to sharing it with the public once again,” explained Cllr Garry Bridges, who is Leader of Manchester City Council, as bookings finally open up this week.
“It’s a special building which belongs to the people and it’s great that they will be able to celebrate important landmarks in their lives, such as marriage, in its spectacular setting.
“The Town Hall is full of history. Here’s to many more stories being written within its walls.”
Want to be one of the first people who gets married or hosts an event at Manchester Town Hall once it reopens in 2028? You can enquire about booking here.
Emily Sergeant -
14th June 2023 
