It’s once again time for The Manchester 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness, one of the most inspiring and impactful charitable events of the year and one that you can be a part of.
For anyone unfamiliar with the initiative, the charity run is a mass participation group relay that is held over a full 24 hours right here in Manchester city centre, with Mancs and people all across the country tuning into a live stream to donate.
Runners and walkers alike set off together in recurring waves to complete 5km laps around the city streets, all in an effort to raise money for the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity‘s ‘A Bed Every Night’ (ABEN) scheme, which aims to help provide shelter and support for those sleeping rough.
Providing crucial aid not only to Manchester’s existing homeless community but those at risk of ending up on the street, the charity works tirelessly year-round to reduce the number of rough sleepers as much as possible and now the MCR 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness is back for 2023 to do their bit.
Now into its fifth year, the relay has raised an incredible total of £26,372.50, including £3,372.50 in Gift Aid since it first began, with over £12k of that being raised during the 2022 run alone and nearly 900 beds funded.
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Set up by University of Manchester students and now alumni, Tom Lewis and James Bannister (who served as Chairman and VC for the uni’s free running society, Run Wild MCR), the idea of the event was to run around the city and observe the conditions people living on the streets experience every night, all whilst raising vital funds to stop that happening.
All the money raised goes directly to the GMMC, which provides a comfy bed, a warm welcome and personal support for anyone sleeping rough on the streets in the region — a cause we can all get behind.
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Their mission is to end the need for rough sleeping and hidden homelessness throughout Greater Manchester and since the event’s inception in 2019, rough sleeping numbers across the region have reduced by 52%. Incredible stuff.
For those that stick through it all day and night, those last few laps are absolutely knackering — but they keep going anyway.
Last year’s event alone reached around 65,000 people across various social media channels and saw an almost even gender split both in those who engaged with the Manchester 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness online and who took part for themselves.
2022 saw over 1,000 laps completed by hundreds of people, as well as over 30 running clubs and local organisations, sports-based or otherwise, taking part and putting the miles in for the event.
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The Mayor of Greater Manchester himself, Andy Burnham, also paid an important visit to cheer everyone on and spread the word about the annual charity run. Rumour has it that Burno might even be taking part alongside the hordes of runners this year…
They also recently held their new ‘Shake-Out’ event from their new base of operations at 53two bar, theatre and arts charity venue on Watson Street, tucked just behind the main Deansgate strip, to raise awareness, get the fundraising ball rolling and show off the route for this year’s run.
While the people behind this truly remarkable event are still looking for local organisations to help promote the event and hopefully match their fundraising total for 2023, the Manchester 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness’s reputation is growing more each year — as is their tally.
Taking place on 15 November from the HQ at 53two, where looped laps of the route will start and end every few minutes, we sincerely hope you come along and get involved with this extremely worthy cause.
Not only will a few members of The Manc team be taking part yet again this year but we’ll also be sharing the live stream on our Facebook page. You can get donating NOW or on the night and we hope to see a few of you there and even more tuning in!
Featured Image — Manchester 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness/Run Wild MCR
Sport
Tributes pour in as former Rochdale and Bury midfielder Joe Thompson dies at just 36
Danny Jones
Awful news to share with you this bank holiday, as former Rochdale and Bury FC midfielderJoe Thompson has sadly passed away. He was just 36 years old.
Born in Bath, he spent time at both Man United and Rochdale’s academies before representing the first team, as well as representing fellow Greater Manchester club Bury and other teams in the North West – a region where he built a life with his partner and his two kids.
The ex-pro ultimately had to retire from football following a long battle with cancer, having been given the all clear from stage four lymphoma (a type of blood cancer) twice before during his playing days, before tragically receiving a heartbreaking third diagnosis last April.
News of his death broke on Good Friday, 18 April, having “passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning”. His wife Chantelle and eldest daughter Thailula shared a lengthy and heartbreaking statement on social media.
Confirming that he passed surrounded by his family, they wrote: “Joe has made such an impact on so many people and we are all forever grateful for him blessing us with his presence and for being so strong and staying with us as long as he did against all the odds.
“He was the most Incredible husband, son, brother, friend and father to our beautiful daughters, who will now carry his light and legacy on, and I will continue to keep filling them up with Joe’s love every single day […] I know he will be deeply missed by everyone and the world will not be the same without his contagious energy.”
Addressing their followers directly, who have been unwavering in their support for Joe and his family over recent years, The Thompsons went on to add: “Long may his legacy and impact live on! Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey with us… We are all forever grateful.”
They also announced that his funeral will be an open service to allow others inspired by his story, charity work, from his Dale days saving the club from relegation and more to pay their respects, with more details to follow soon.
Countless figures from around the footballing world have joined the likes of the Red Devils and his other former clubs in paying touching tributes to the inspiring individual.
A man who epitomised our club's values ❤️
We are saddened to share that Joe Thompson has passed away.
A warm personality who had a deep connection with our club from a young age, our thoughts are with Joe's family and friends at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/40ddQpyRTi
Very sad news, to battle cancer once is extremely brave but to battle it three times is not just brave but you need a strong mindset and obviously Joe had that to keep fighting. Thoughts with Joe’s family and friends.
Joe and his family were friends with our very own Amy here at The Manc, so it goes without saying that we offer our deepest condolences to his family, friends and everyone whose lives he touched – our thoughts are with all of them at this difficult time.
She said: “To one of the most incredible men I have ever met – Joe it was an unbelievable honour to have known you, you were the light in any room, and I can’t believe we have to carry on in this world without you.
“To the guy with the best laugh and best waves, you will forever be missed.”
Inside Manchester’s new padel club with a Pot Kettle Black cafe and courtside cocktail bar
Daisy Jackson
Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the world, and it’s really picking up speed in Manchester now too with another city centre club opening this month.
The Pollen Club is a little different to the others, in that it’s fully undercover and protected from Manchester’s less-than-favourable weather.
And another thing that makes it a must-visit is the cafe attached to it – a third site for the beloved Pot Kettle Black.
The Pollen Club and Pot Kettle Black have both taken over a prominent city centre spot just off Deansgate, at the foot of the recently-opened Treehouse Hotel.
There are two state-of-the-art padel courts inside, with a mezzanine terrace for enjoy Pot Kettle Black’s offerings.
In summer, there are plans to launch a bar downstairs too, where you can sip spritzes courtside from loungers and swing seats.
The exciting new Manchester padel club will host pop up events, DJ takeovers and an extended evening food offering.
Pot Kettle Black are part of the new padel clubInside Manchester’s new padel club, The Pollen ClubPot Kettle Black are part of the new padel club
And even if you’re not heading inside The Pollen Club, Pot Kettle Black has a grab-and-go hatch facing onto Blackfriars Street, making their delicious coffees, sandwiches and pastries (from their own bakery Half Dozen Other) even more accessible.
Commenting on the opening of the new site, Pot Kettle Black co-owner, Mark Flanagan said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have opened our third Pot Kettle Black site at The Padel Club. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team.
“After ten years in the city we’ve been enjoying seeing some familiar faces stopping by for a coffee and we can’t wait to get started on our programme of summer events!”
Danny Jones -
20th October 2023 
