Jason Manford has been out on an Iceland delivery round today to provide locals across Greater Manchester with vital supplies during lockdown.
After the Mancunian comedian famously received a rejection from Tesco to work as a customer assistant back at the start of May, Iceland stepped in to help him on his mission to do his bit for the community amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Locals were greeted with Jason’s trademark smile and treated to a laugh or two whilst he made his rounds alongside an Iceland delivery driver.
During his delivery round, Jason also visited a local charity, The Bread and Butter Thing, to deliver £500 of groceries that will support those in need with essential food supplies.
Iceland has also donated 7.8 tonnes of food equating to 18,500 meals to the charity in the last six months.
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.@JasonManford is joining us today to help with food deliveries ?
After all, if there’s one thing comedians know about – it’s delivery!
In return, we’re making a donation to @CAFTcharity ?
In exchange for his valued contribution, Iceland has also made a donation to Jason’s charity of choice, The Children’s Adventure Farm Trust (CAFT).
Based in Cheshire, the charity provides holidays and days out for terminally ill, disabled or disadvantaged children from across the North West of England.
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Speaking after his day of delivering, Jason Manford said: “A massive thanks to Iceland who have offered me this opportunity to not just deliver some food to their loyal customers, but also for making a generous donation to charities that are close to my heart.”
Richard Walker, Managing Director at Iceland, said: “Everyone at Iceland is extremely grateful for Jason’s contribution today.”
“He has certainly helped to lift spirits with our customers and heroic colleagues”.
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“Our stores are deeply rooted within their local communities, so it’s a real privilege for us to be in a position where we can work with great people like Jason and donate to some worthy causes at the same time.”
For more information, please visit the Iceland website here.
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Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Emily Sergeant -
16th June 2020 
