Manchester-based community interest company The Hope Revolution has launched a new initiative to deliver ‘Hope Boxes’ to some of the most vulnerable and homeless people in the region.
The ‘Manchester Hope Box Appeal’ aims to bring a shining light of hope this winter.
As the brainchild of The Hope Revolution – formed in 2019 to help the growing numbers of homeless and disadvantaged people living on the streets of Greater Manchester – the ‘Manchester Hope Box Appeal’ is a winter initiative designed to provide support by delivering boxes of new and essential items to those who need it most.
And in the year of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it’s a service more vital than ever before.
“Charity donations are at the heart of what we do,” explains John James, founder of The Hope Revolution, “Over the last 12 months, we have been working closely with many charities and organisations in Greater Manchester who do great work supporting vulnerable and homeless people.
“We asked them what items they want to help and support the people in need this winter.”
Twelve Manchester charities are taking part in the appeal this year and have requested everything from pairs of socks, to lifesaving emergency survival bags.
The charities set to be supported are – Audacious Foundation, Barnabus, Big Issue North, The Boaz Trust, Coffee4Craig, GTMHS, Lifeshare, Mustard Tree, Reach Out to the Community, Shelter, Supporting People in Need, and WHAG.
John continues: “The ‘Manchester Hope Box Appeal’ shop contains all the essential items that will make a difference [and] once purchased, the Hope Boxes are delivered straight to the charity for them to distribute directly to where the items are most needed.
“There’s no minimum number of items required to fill your Hope Box as every donation will make a real difference this winter.”
And it couldn’t be easier to get involved either.
People wishing to lend a hand to the homeless and most vulnerable most across Greater Manchester this winter are asked to head on over to The Hope Revolution website shop, where boxes will be filled with items and then delivered straight to those in need.
100% of what someone pays for their Hope Box is spent on buying and delivering those exact items to the charities.
The Hope Revolution does not make any money from the sale of items.
The Hope Revolution prides itself on providing different ways of donating.
Since launching just over a year ago, the charity is growing fast and now covers 11 cities to support over 50 charities across the UK in the following sectors:
Housing & Homelessness
Children & Family
Care & Aged
Animals
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Visit The Hope Revolution website here to get started on your ‘Hope Box’.
And make sure to follow the group on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up to date with all the hard work it’s carrying out to make it a Christmas to remember for so many.
News
Major Co-op Live concert cancelled with fans already inside venue
Daisy Jackson
Major Co-op Live gig Jeff Lynne’s ELO has been cancelled this evening – after fans had already entered the venue.
Jeff Lynne’s ELO were set to perform the second of two nights at the huge Manchester venue tonight, as part of their final UK tour.
The Over and Out Tour should have been taking place on both the 9 and 10 July before heading to London’s BST Hyde Park Festival on Sunday.
But the show has been cancelled minutes before the legendary band were due to take to the stage.
Fans had already taken their seats inside the massive Co-op Live Arena when the news broke that the gig would not be able to take place ‘due to illness’.
77-year-old Jeff Lynne himself, who recently broke his hand in an accident, is said to be ‘devastated’ that he is unable to perform.
Jeff Lynne’s ELO has been cancelled at Co-op Live
A statement from the band said: “Unfortunately due to illness tonight’s (Thursday 10th July 2025) scheduled performance of Jeff Lynne’s ELO at the Co-Op Live will not be going ahead.
“Jeff is devastated he cannot perform this evening.
“More information will become available as soon as possible. For refunds please go to your point of purchase.”
According to fans, audiences inside Co-op Live were told the show was cancelled with just 45 minutes to go.
One person wrote: “The concert that never was. Cancelled with 45mins to go. Get well soon Jeff Lynne.”
Literally mins after this picture was taken Jeff Lynn cancelled 😞 @JeffLynnesELO Broke his hand a few days ago and has played the best he can and well done to you ! But then decides to cancel 2nd night n Manchester very last minute ! But it’s ok just ask for a refund !!! 😡 pic.twitter.com/wv1JfWPwk5
Andy Burnham reveals plans to build underground tram and train line in Manchester by 2050
Emily Sergeant
Andy Burnham has announced some ambitious long-term plans to build an underground tram and train line in Manchester.
As Greater Manchester sets its sights on a new era of economic growth, on the way to becoming a ‘second city’ to rival any other on the planet by 2050, Mayor Andy Burnham shared the city region’s blueprint for a ‘greener, fairer future’ this week – with underground transport plans being right the heart of it.
Mr Burnham says his vision for the next decade is to create a ‘thriving’ city region where everyone can ‘live a good life’.
Andy Burnham reveals plans to build an underground tram and train line in Manchester / Credit: TfGM
But it’s public transport where it seems some of the most significant changes are set to be made before 2050 arrives.
The Mayor revealed plans for new bus routes, tramlines, and train stations to connect ‘thriving communities’ across the city region with an integrated lower-cost transport system that’ll help more people get out and access new opportunities.
Construction of a tram stop to service new homes at Victoria North will also start by 2028, it has been confirmed, while work to bring Metrolink to Stockport – which has already been announced to huge support – will begin by 2030.
Two commuter rail lines will join the Bee Network next December as well, with another six joining by 2028.
GM is growing fast.
We will expand @BeeNetwork over the next decade to meet the needs of our bigger economy.
BUT
There’s a limit to what we can do on a congested surface.
It’s why I am asking TfGM to start planning for an underground for GM around a remodelled Piccadilly. pic.twitter.com/k2ozNWw6Wj
The headline-grabbing announcement, though, has to be that Mr Burnham has also announced plans to unlock ‘transformative’ investment in transport infrastructure, so that by 2050, Manchester Piccadilly has an underground tram and train station with a high-speed rail link to Liverpool.
He’s also looking to boost regeneration of the surrounding area, effectively making it ‘the Kings Cross of the North’.
“We’re the UK’s fastest growing economy and stand on the cusp of what I believe could be our best decade since the Victorian era,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham, “and our task for the next decade is to build a platform for success for all our residents.
“Our vision is ambitious, but in my eight years as Mayor, I’ve learned that, when we pull together, there’s nothing we can’t achieve.
“There’s a long and proud tradition of collaboration in Greater Manchester. Devolution has turbocharged that and now we’re ready to deliver a new model of growth where no one is left behind.”
Emily Sergeant -
11th December 2020 
