News

Lightopia Manchester announces new initiative to support three local charities

Visitors to Lightopia this year will be able to add on an optional donation as they purchase tickets

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 17th November 2021

Award-winning illuminations event Lightopia is returning to Heaton Park in Manchester with new “festive fantasy” installations and light shows.

Ahead of the grand opening of the popular outdoor Christmas lights event – which is returning for the third year running – next Friday, Lightopia has also announced a new charity initiative called Light of Love that supports a range of local organisations around Greater Manchester, and for 2021, will officially partner with Hits Radio’s Cash for Kids ‘Mission Christmas’.

Cash For Kids ‘Mission Christmas’ is known for bringing the magic of Christmas to children who may otherwise wake up without a visit from Santa.

Last year, ‘Mission Christmas’ was able to help 30,697 children across the region, while Cash for Kids itself aims to support the one in three children that are living in poverty across Greater Manchester.

Visitors to Lightopia this year will be able to add on an optional donation as they purchase tickets for the Manchester outdoor Christmas lights event. 

Lightopia is returning to Heaton Park in Manchester with new “festive fantasy” installations / Credit: Lightopia

Commenting on the exciting partnership, Michelle Williamnson – Regional Manager at Cash For Kids – said: “We are thrilled that Lightopia Manchester is supporting Mission Christmas this year, as with more families hitting unexpected hardship over the past year, Christmas is a luxury that many simply can’t afford [and] some households are having to make difficult decisions between food, heating, and gifts.

“For some children and young people, Christmas can be just like any other day – but we want to make sure it’s different and as special as possible this year.

“Every child deserves a gift, and with your help they can wake up to a visit from Santa on Christmas morning.”

Lightopia is promising a ‘state-of-the-art’ lakeside water show for 2021 / Credit: Lightopia

Ian Xiang – Creative Director of Lightopia – adds: “We are excited to bring a new element to Lightopia Manchester this winter, Light of Love aims to support local charities doing vital work in the Greater Manchester communities.

“The work of these organisations has never been so important [and] this year, we are helping to raise funds for Cash for Kids Mission Christmas, helping to make Christmas special for every child, with a gift this Christmas.”

The Light of Love initiative will also be supporting OUR PASS and SEND this year.

OUR PASS is a membership scheme for young people who live in Greater Manchester, for both school leavers and care leavers, while SEND is the system that supports children and young people with additional needs throughout their education. 

Visitors to Lightopia this year will be able to add on an optional donation as they purchase tickets / Credit: Lightopia

The Light of Love initiative, and additional outdoor light installations aren’t all that’s new at Lightopia in Manchester this year, as there’s also the new illuminated ‘Dining Domes’.

Nestled in the park’s woodland and surrounded by lanterns, the ten domes make for a unique and atmospheric dining experience for families, friends and couples, while The Stables Courtyard Bar and Dining will offer a more casual dining experience, with food, music and festive spirit under a heated canopy.

Lightopia will be open to the public Thursdays – Sundays from the 25 November until 11 December, and then will be open every day until Monday 3 January 2022 except for Christmas day, with opening times between 5pm to 10pm, and last entry is 8.30pm daily.

Lightopia’s illuminated ‘Dining Domes’ make for a unique and atmospheric dining experience / Credit: Lightopia

Advance tickets are priced at £20 for adults (or £22 on the day), £13 for children (or £15 on the day), £60 for families of two adults and two children (£68 on the day), and children under three can go free.

Essential carers of disabled visitors can attend for free, the disabled visitor pays the normal admission fee.

You can grab your tickets to Lightopia 2021 here.

Featured Image – Lightopia

News

Teen arrested on suspicion of murder after 15-year-old boy is killed in Moss Side stabbing

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the killing of a 15-year-old boy in Moss Side yesterday.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers were called out to reports of a ‘disturbance’ involving a number of people on Monton Street in Moss Side at just after 4:30pm yesterday (15 September), and when they arrived on the scene, they found a 15-year-old boy with serious stab wounds.

After being treated both at the scene and later in hospital, the boy was sadly pronounced dead a short time later.

A murder investigation was subsequently launched.

Due to the shocking nature of the incident, police confirmed that a Section 60 – which allows officers to ‘stop and search’ people within a specific area – has been put in place until 5:20pm this evening.

With enquiries currently ongoing, and GMP describing the investigation as ‘progressing at pace’, it has now been confirmed that a teenager, also a 15-year-old boy, the same as the victim, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and he remains in police custody for questioning.

His family are aware of this development and continue to be supported by specially-trained officers.

“There is a thorough investigation plan in place as we look to find the perpetrator of this appalling act that has seen a young man lose his life,” explained Chief Superintendent David Meeney, from GMP’s City of Manchester district.

“This incident will understandably have caused shock and concern within the community and the surrounding area, particularly those who witnessed it, so you will see an increased police presence in the area over the coming days.

“We remain committed to providing the victim’s family with the answers they deserve.”

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Anyone with any information, or who may have been in the area at the time of the incident, is urged to contact GMP on 101 or online, quoting log 2327 of 15/09/25.

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Featured Image – GMP

News

Mayor Andy Burnham promises Greater Manchester will honour Ricky Hatton ‘properly’

Danny Jones Danny Jones Mayor Andy Burnham confirms Greater Manchester tribute plans for Ricky Hatton

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has promised that the city and wider boroughs have plans to honour Ricky Hatton MBE following his passing this weekend.

Hatton, just 46, sadly passed away this Sunday, 14 September, with the region left shocked by the sudden and tragic news.

Details surrounding his exact cause of death are still scarce, but Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have said that it is not being treated as suspicious.

Posting on social media, Mayor Burnham has now assured that there will be official tributes paid to the boxing legend.

“He was the kind of person who would always turn up for people, supporting so many causes”, writes Burnham, adding: “He made us smile and made us proud. We will find a way of honouring him properly.”

There seems to be a clear intimation that at least one or more public tributes will be carried out at the earliest opportunity.

In fact, several already have up and down the country, including a 10-bell salute, which rang out at the World Boxing Championships at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool on the 11th day of the competition.

Locals and ‘Hitman’ fans alike have been leaving flowers, wreaths and other personal tributes outside his address in Tameside as well as his gym in Hyde.

The minute’s appreciation before the 197th Manchester derby also saw his friend, fellow die-hard Blue and City Square fan zone presenter, Danny Jackson, deliver a touching speech before applause rang out around the stadium, with the Man City manager himself looking visibly moved by the moment.

Manchester City dedicate derby win to late and beloved boxing blue, Ricky Hatton
Pep Guardiola is one of many members around the club, both past and present, to have offered their condolences.

His nephew Jack Hatton has now posted on social media too, saying simply: “I love you so much Uncle Rick. I will always remember all you have done for me and the great times we had together I love you so so much I’m going to do all I can to make you proud.”

Brother Matthew, also a boxer, shared similar, collating pictures of the two together over the years.

énergie Fitness Hyde, home to his well-known gym and popular community outlet, have also shared a statement online, writing: “Ricky was much more than a world-class fighter and an exceptional trainer. He was a remarkable person who inspired countless individuals.

“His influence reached far beyond Hyde and the local community, touching the lives of millions around the world. Everyone at the gym is devastated by this loss. Ricky’s legacy will live on in the hearts of those he motivated, mentored, and uplifted.

“We send our sincere condolences to Ricky’s family, friends, and all who knew and loved him.
As a mark of respect, the gym will be closed for the rest of the day. Rest in Peace, Ricky.” Since then, his family have now shared their own statement in full via GMP.

Asking for privacy during this difficult time, they wrote: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved son Richard. Richard was so much more than a world champion. To us he was simply ‘Richard’, our son. A loving father, grandfather,and brother, and a true friend to many.

“He had a heart as big as his smile, and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him.

“To the wider world, Richard will always be remembered as one of boxing’s greatest champions — a man who gave everything inside the ring and wore his heart on his sleeve outside of it.

“He inspired generations with his fighting spirit, his humility, and his love for the sport. But beyond the titles, the nights to remember, and the roar of the crowd, he remained the same down-to-earth Richard who never forgot where he came from.

“As a family, our loss is immeasurable, and words cannot truly capture the pain we feel. Yet in the midst of our grief, we have been deeply moved by the overwhelming outpouring of love and support.

“It has been a source of great comfort to see just how many lives Richard touched, and how widely he was admired and respected.

“At this time, we kindly ask for privacy as we come to terms with life without him. In the days and weeks ahead, we will take strength from one another and from the knowledge that Richard’s legacy — both in boxing and as a man — will continue to live on.

“Richard’s memory will forever remain in our hearts, in the hearts of his fans, and in the sport he loved so dearly. With love and gratitude, The Hatton Family.”

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Featured Images — Aeropixels Photography/Scottish Government (via Flickr)

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