News

The Cocktail Club is launching a non-alcoholic hamper for dry January

The Cocktail Club is here to rescue your dry January blues with some non-alcohol alternatives.

Hannah Starkie Hannah Starkie - 13th January 2021
The Mindful Drinkers Hamper. Image: The Cocktail Club

If you promised yourself you’d stick to dry January after overindulging during the festive period, but are now quietly regretting ever considering the idea, don’t worry. The Cocktail Club has got you covered with the next best thing.

The online drinks retailer is taking a proactive approach to ‘Dry Jan’ this year with a new Mindful Drinkers Hamper – filled with 0% ABV bevs, non-alcoholic cocktail mixes and healthy treats.

For £38, you’ll get:

  • Some low ABV and non-alcoholic drinks from Fungtn Beer, Humble Warrior, Lucky Saint, Dalston Rhubarb 0% G&T and Wills Kombucha.
  • Cocktail ingredients, including Warners 0% Pink Berry, ginger beer and raspberry jam.
  • Some tasty and guilt free snacks from Hippeas, Brave Foods and Eat Real.
  • Non-alcoholic cocktail recipes to transform you into a mixologist. 
  • And some mindful drinking tips from the people behind Humble Warrior and Fungtn.
The Mindful Drinkers Hamper. Image: The Cocktail Club

Tom Bronock, director at The Cocktail Club, said: “No alcohol shouldn’t mean settling for no taste. It’s very possible for drinks to be healthy and delicious at the same time, as we’ve proven with our new Mindful Drinkers Hamper.”

“For those opting for a healthier start to the year and looking to curb their Christmas drinking, alcohol can be a tempting hurdle. 

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“With our new box though, customers won’t have to compromise on flavour or settle for bland drinks; at The Cocktail Club, we’re big believers that every drink – alcoholic or not – should never compromise on taste!”

Get your hands on your own hamper here and make your dry Jan a little less dry. 

News

2024 Manchester Marathon raises £29 million for local economy and over £3.7m for charity

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester Marathon raises millions for city economy and local charity

Just under a fortnight on from the 2024 Manchester Marathon and the numbers are finally, with the annual race generating nearly £30 million for the local economy and raising over £3.7m for charity.

This year’s Adidas Manchester Marathon saw record numbers of runners and spectators as over 30,000 took part in the popular race, up by roughly 6,000 from 2023, and more than 125k turned up to line the streets of Greater Manchester.

As a result, these huge crowds spent upwards of £29.2 million at business around the city centre and around the 10 boroughs last weekend, serving as one of the most significant contributions to the local economy on the annual calendar.

Not only was this an approximately £8m increase on last year’s tally but, most importantly, a sizeable chunk of that went straight into both regional and national charities.

The 2024 adidas Manchester Marathon was a spectacular day for the city and its economy.

Beyond the boost to local vendors, the hospitality sector and retail businesses, over £3.7 million were allocated to charities such as Alzheimer’s Charity, Cancer Research UK, British Heart Foundation and The Christie. 

Over £32,000 was also raised for the Trafford Active Fund, with £1 from every paid entry to the Adidas Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half donated directly to the initiative that benefits local sports clubs and organisations through Trafford Council.

Better still, with City of Trees selected as the chosen ‘Green Runner’ charity, the eco-friendly drive saw roughly 7% of participants opt out of receiving either a finisher t-shirt, medal or both.

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The money saved in production goes towards maintaining woodlands and wildlife across Greater Manchester.

Fundraising from the Manchester Marathon is one of it’s biggest upshots.

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This year’s Manchester Marathon also helped produce some of the highest number of passengers on public transport in the city’s history, with a over 175,000 journeys made on Metrolink alone – the highest number of journeys ever recorded on a single day.

This was a 20% increase on 2023’s race day (145k), spotlighting how the event continues to be more environmentally conscious as years go by.

With the 2025 adidas Manchester Marathon confirmed to be taking place on Sunday, 27 April next year – and over 12,000 places already sold – the city can already look forward to reaping the economic and social benefits of hosting one of Europe’s largest, flattest, friendliest and most-loved marathons. 

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Adidas Manchester Marathon/The Manc Group

News

Manchester firefighter surprises partner with proposal during new recruits parade

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester firefighter surprise proposal recruit passing out parade

We’re a sucker for a wholesome little video as we know you are, which is exactly why we thought of you lot when we came across this video of a newly graduated Manchester firefighter surprising his partner with a heartwarming proposal.

Just the kind of heartwarming that usually sets us off after a long week at work.

The clip shared by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) on Thursday, 25 April, shows Manc fireman James popping the question to his girlfriend sat unassumingly in the audience at a recent passing out ceremony.

Pass out ceremonies are when trainees go from recruits to fully qualified firefighters after completing their intensive operational training. It’s a long-standing tradition in the emergency services where friends and family gather to celebrate their achievements – it’s almost like it’s the perfect opportunity…

Watch as a Manc firefighter turns his passing out ceremony into a surprise proposal.

As you can see, since the graduates are usually the centre of attention, James couldn’t help but size his moment and instead of walking and lining up normally like everyone else, he decided to head straight over to his wife-to-be and get down on one knee.

You already know the rest.

Welling up immediately and barely able to remove her hands from her face, Melissa nods and says yes as the crowd cheers and the pair share a smooch.

You just love to see it.

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Writing on social media, the GMFRS said: “We managed to capture a VERY special moment at our new recruits pass out parade today… Congratulations to James and Melissa!”, adding, “Certainly one way to start your new career”.

If we don’t see all the groomsmen dressed as firefighters on a random viral video sometime soon we’re going to be gutted.

All the best to the happy couple and if you’ve got any more lovely clips like this to send in so we can make ourselves cry (in a good way), you know what to do.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service

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