More than 16,000 people have been trained in first aid and lifesaving techniques thanks to a campaign set up following the Manchester Arena attack.
The ‘Three Ways to Save a Life’ campaign is a joint partnership between St John Ambulance and BBC Radio Manchester, and launched to huge success last year on the fifth anniversary of the terror attack – where 22 people tragically lost their lives during a bombing at the end of an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena on 22 May 2017.
The campaign has since seen tens of thousands of volunteers in Greater Manchester trained in CPR, as well as shown how to use a defibrillator, and how to treat severe bleeding.
The campaign ran until the end of 2022, and was made up of a combination of drop-in sessions in public places, booked face-to-face sessions, virtual training online, and social media content across all 10 boroughs.
The aim of the campaign is simple – train as many people as possible to save lives.
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"How good would you feel if you were able to make the difference between life and death?”
Over 16,000 people in Manchester are now equipped with life-saving skills, thanks to our Three Ways to Save a Life Campaign.
The campaign has long been championed by Figen Murray – the mother of Martyn Hett, who was one of the 22 victims that lost their lives in the atrocity – and she’s told BBC News this week that she’s “thrilled” by the success of it.
“There’s a good chance in Manchester now, if something happens to you, where you do need someone with those skills, somebody now near you, knows those skills and can save you,” Figen explained.
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Dr Lynn Thomas, who is the medical director at St John Ambulance, has also thanked the people who had taken part in the campaign, and added that her team is “committed” to continuing to deliver free first aid demonstrations to at least 1,000 people every month.
More than 16,000 people trained in first aid thanks to campaign set up after Manchester Arena attack / Credit: David Dixon (via Geograph)
Speaking on the success of the campaign so far, Kate Squire, the BBC’s senior head of production for the North West and North East, said: “This has been a brilliant campaign that people living in Greater Manchester have really taken to their hearts.
“More than 16,000 of our residents now have the essential skills to save lives.
“Not only in case a tragedy like this ever strikes our city again, but also to help those who are in need on their everyday lives.”
Featured Image – St John Ambulance
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Greater Manchester restaurants are adding an extra £1 to bills to help fight homelessness this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Dozens of local restaurants will be adding an extra £1 onto every bill over the festive season to help fight street homelessness.
People in Greater Manchester are once again able to give back while they dine at some of the best restaurants the region has to offer in the run up to Christmas, as the successful StreetSmart fundraising initiative is back for another year.
This year, 26 fantastic restaurants have come together to support local homeless charities as the campaign launched this past Saturday (1 November).
Manchester independents such as Mana, Erst, Climat, 10 Tib Lane, Ezra & Gill, Tartuffe, and Blue Eyed Panda are among those taking part in the campaign this year, alongside several city centre chain restaurants such as Lina Stores, Tampopo, Banyan, Manahatta, and San Carlo.
StreetSmart works by each participating restaurant adding an extra £1 to every bill they deliver throughout November and December, with all of the money raised going directly to local homeless organisations, thanks to StreetSmart’s official sponsorship from LandAid.
The funds raised by StreetSmart in Greater Manchester this year will support the crucial work of organisations such as CentrePoint, which funds Independent Living Advisors for young people, and Real Change Manchester, which plugs into the existing homelessness charities to provide that extra boost of funding that makes all the difference.
The StreetSmart team says it’s determined to deliver another record-breaking year in 2025, and provide much-needed support to the services that help some of the most vulnerable people in the city.
Manchester restaurants are adding an extra £1 to bills to help fight homelessness this Christmas / Credit: Supplied | Rifqi Ali Ridho (via Unsplash)
“The festive period can be an incredibly tough time for the vulnerable people in our community,” explained Glenn Pougnet, who is the Director of StreetSmart.
“StreetSmart provides a simple way for people to help some of our city’s most in need. Giving back whilst dining out at Christmas is what StreetSmart is all about, and we’re thrilled to have so many restaurants already taking part.
“Every £1 added to a bill adds up and makes a huge difference.”
Featured Image – John Carey (Supplied)
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Police appeal for information after pedestrian killed on Mancunian Way followed earlier welfare concern reports
Emily Sergeant
Police are continuing to appeal for information after a pedestrian was killed on Mancunian Way during the early hours.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that the shocking incident occurred at approximately 12:50am on Friday 31 October when it was reported that a Volkswagen Passat had collided with a man in his 20s.
Sadly, the collision was fatal and the pedestrian died at the scene.
The driver of the Volkswagen, a man in his 40s, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Following the incident, subsequent police enquiries have established that a call was made to the force shortly after midnight which reported concern for a man walking on the carriageway, and GMP says it believes the man in that report was the man who was involved in the fatal collision.
Officers were sent out as ‘high priority’ to carry out an extensive search of the surrounding area after the report was made, but it was said that they couldn’t locate him.
#UPDATE | Officers are continuing to appeal for information following the fatal collision on Mancunian Way this morning.
We have referred ourselves to the IPOC after reports that the victim was possibly spotted on the carriageway earlier that morning.
— Manchester City Centre Police (GMP) (@GMPCityCentre) October 31, 2025
Due to this earlier report, GMP has confirmed that it has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to look into its response to the search.
The victim’s family is aware, have been updated, and they are being supported by specialist officers at this time.
GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit is still appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward, and are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have CCTV footage, dashcam, or mobile phone footage from the area in the moments leading up to the incident.
“This is a tragic incident for all involved and we express our deepest condolences to the family of the man who has lost his life, and whom we are doing our utmost to support at this time,” commented Sergeant Andrew Page.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4741, quoting log number 111 of the 31/10/25, or by using the ‘report tool’ or LiveChat function on the GMP website – www.gmp.police.uk
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd February 2023 
