Manchester United legend Andy Cole has pledged £250,000 worth of research funding to help combat kidney disease.
It’s all part of his ongoing work with Kidney Research UK.
The former striker – who is known and loved by Manchester United fans for scoring dozens of goals, winning nine trophies, and being a part of the Red Devils’ iconic 1999 Treble-winning season – has worked in collaboration with the charity to launch the a new grant awards scheme as part of the Andy Cole Fund.
The 51-year-old – who made 195 appearances for the Reds between 1995 and 2001 – set up his own fund with Kidney Research UK after sadly developing kidney disease back in 2014, and going on to receive a lifesaving transplant from his nephew in 2017.
His experience of transplantation and subsequent challenges with mental health following his diagnosis inspired the fund’s research goals.
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Manchester United legend Andy Cole has pledged £250k to kidney disease research / Credit: Kidney Research UK
This is the first set of grants to be awarded from the fund – with Andy’s generous £250,000 donation all set to go directly towards research into the condition that he has personal experience of, according to the charity.
“I set up the Andy Cole Fund to make a difference,” the footballing legend explained.
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“I’m determined that we will find the best ways to support kidney patients’ mental health and improve the transplant experience.
“Kidney disease is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with. We’ve got to make it better for others and research is the answer. I’m excited to see what projects we can fund through the Andy Cole Fund Grant Awards to help change the game for kidney patients.”
Funding from the newly-established Andy Cole Fund Grant Awards will be allocated to research that will focus on transforming transplantation to improve patient experiences, particularly in relation to mental health.
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Speaking on the launch of the new grants scheme, Sandra Currie – chief executive at Kidney Research UK – added:”When Andy established the Andy Cole Fund, he wanted to focus on making a difference in areas that have affected him personally, aiming to help people live longer, healthier and happier lives with kidney disease.
“It’s an absolute pleasure working with him, and it’s great to be opening the fund for applications.
“All researchers who are interested in being part of this drive to improve transplant outcomes for patients or to reduce the mental health burden of kidney disease should apply now and be part of the change.”
Applications for the Andy Cole Fund Grants Awards are now open, and you talented researchers, scientists, clinicians, and innovators from all across the UK have until Tuesday 29 August to apply for funding.
You can find more information on the grants and how to apply here.
Featured Image – Kidney Research UK
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Police appeal after man is found with unexplained ‘serious injuries’ in Manchester’s Chinatown
Emily Sergeant
Police are appealing for information after a man is found with unexplained ‘serious injuries’ in Manchester’s Chinatown.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that at around 4:50am this past Saturday (26 September), officers were called to Nicholas Street near the Pagoda in Manchester’s Chinatown, where a man was found seriously injured.
The man was quickly rushed to hospital, where he remains receiving treatment while police work to establish the full circumstances surrounding how he came to sustain his injuries.
At this stage, GMP believes there is ‘no wider risk to the community’, however detectives are ‘keeping an open mind’ as enquiries continue.
No arrests have been made at this time, and the man’s identity has not been publicly released.
While enquiries continue at pace, GMP has issued a public appeal for witnesses in a bid to uncover information on the incident.
Detectives say they are are appealing for anyone who was in the area around the Pagoda in Chinatown between 3am and 5am on Saturday 26 September.
Anyone who may have witnessed anything that could assist the investigation is urged to come forward.
Can you help? Anyone with information, or relevant CCTV, dashcam or mobile phone footage, is asked to contact police on 101 or via LiveChat, quoting log 578 of 26/09/2026.
Featured Image – GMP
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‘Enough is enough’ – Andy Burnham issues emphatic statement on Avanti West Coast nationalisation
Emily Sergeant
Avanti West Coast is set to be nationalised from next spring, the Government has confirmed.
After it was revealed back in 2024 to be the UK’s most ‘unreliable’ train operator, according to a shocking study, with 15.36% of its trains cancelled or delayed on average, it has now been confirmed that Avanti – which runs the West Coast Main Line from Manchester to London – will be transferred over to public ownership in March 2027.
Before this, the company had previously been given until 1 April 2023 to continue running the route, but was told it needed to ‘drastically improve’ its services if it was to stand any chance of having the contract extended further beyond that date.
Despite many customers continuing to voice discontent with level of services during this time, the Department for Transport (DfT) under the previous Conservative government deemed ‘significant improvements had been made’.
Avanti West Coast is set to be nationalised from next spring / Credit: Avanti (Press Images)
Now though, in the year 2026 with a Labour government in power at Prime Minister Andy Burnham at the helm, it has been confirmed that Avanti West Coast will be nationalised.
The Government says the services will be ‘run in the interests of passengers, not private sector shareholders’.
“From 7 March, taxpayers will no longer be paying fees to a private operator. Instead, every penny will be spent for the benefit of passengers,” the Labour Party said in a statement.
Andy Burnham has also issued his own emphatic statement on the matter.
Enough is enough.
For years, people have been expected to put up with Avanti’s cancellations, delays, overcrowding, and a service that has failed them time and time again.
So my Labour government is bringing Avanti West Coast into public ownership at the earliest opportunity in…
He wrote on X: “Enough is enough. For years, people have been expected to put up with Avanti’s cancellations, delays, overcrowding, and a service that has failed them time and time again.
“So my Labour government is bringing Avanti West Coast into public ownership at the earliest opportunity in March next year. That means passengers, not shareholders, will come first.
“More investment, fewer delays, and a renewed focus on getting the basics right.
“We’re putting essential services back in public hands and building a railway that actually works for the people who use it.”
Andy Mellors, who is the Managing Director at Avanti West Coast, added in his own statement: “Over the coming months, we’ll work closely with the Government to ensure a seamless transition into public ownership while remaining focused on delivering for our customers and communities.”
Emily Sergeant -
2nd August 2023 
