We Love MCR Charity has launched a £200,000 fund to help determined young Mancunians hoping to take the next step in education, entrepreneurship, employment, or training.
The unique ‘Manchester’s Rising Stars Fund’ asks applicants what they believe they need to progress – and then provides them with the resources to achieve these ambitions.
The fund is open to all young people living or studying in Manchester aged 16-24 (or 16-30 if the individual has experienced homelessness) with awards up to the value of £2,000.
Manchester’s Rising Stars Fund was created with the generous support of the Sir Howard Bernstein Endowment Fund and has already helped several locals achieve their goals by funding vital equipment, courses and accreditations in a successful pilot scheme.
Marie O’Neill-Steinegger, Grants Manager for We Love MCR Charity said: “We’ve seen that a grant from the Manchester’s Rising Stars Fund can be life-changing for some young people.
“The Fund is here to support those young people who might need some financial help to overcome these barriers, to help them become Manchester’s Rising Stars!”
Wythenshawe local Lauren became one of the first beneficiaries of the Fund’s pilot – enjoying financial support for her stay in the capital during a London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art scholarship.
Lauren has since revealed that without We Love MCR, she may not have been able to complete her course.
“I will be forever thankful for how We Love MCR backed me,” she said.
“I urge anyone to help such an amazing charity if they are lucky enough to be able to do so – I know I will when I’m able, to return the favour to someone in Manchester who is starting off, just like me.”
Over 20 of Manchester’s dedicated youth organisations have also signed up to the programme as Referral Partners. The likes of Manchester College, MCFC’s City In The Community, and the East Manchester Youth & Play Partnership are helping to identify young people in need of support and encouraging them to apply for a grant.
Daniel Cairns from Manchester City Council’s Leaving Care Service, a key partner of the Fund, stated: “I think the Manchester’s Rising Stars Fund is incredible and really does give our young people an opportunity to achieve their goals no matter what that field they may be in.
“Many of our young people simply don’t have the funds or start-up costs for a business or essential items for other endeavours, and to be supported by We Love MCR Charity gives them a real springboard to success. It means their goals can become realities.”
For more information about the Fund, full guidance and how to apply please visit the We Love Mcr website.
News
Police tell gig-goers to ‘remain vigilant’ as Oasis Live ’25 hits Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Anyone lucky enough to be heading to Heaton Park for the Oasis Live ’25 gigs this summer is being told to ‘remain vigilant’.
Manchester is all set for a sensational summer of sound, as more than 300,000 music fans prepare to descend on our city to see a little-known band called Oasis (sarcasm detected) reform for the first time in over a decade.
And today is finally the big day after what has been a very long-time coming.
With the Gallagher brothers staging five nostalgia-drenched gigs at Heaton Park starting today (11 July), Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has now issued some important advice and information for gig-goers attending what is likely going to be one of the best live shows of their life, and what is sure to be a momentous moment for the city.
Oasis Live ’25 Manchester gig-goers told to ‘remain vigilant’ / Credit: The Manc Group | Simon Emmett (Publicity Picture)
GMP confirmed that it will be working with partners to ensure Oasis’ homecoming shows ‘pass by safely’ on 11, 12, 16, 19 and 20 July.
Planning has been underway within GMP over the past six months, alongside our partners at Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), and many more.
Police officers will be present around the Heaton Park site, working with event security staff to ‘prevent crime and disorder’, while off-site patrols will also assist with traffic management and policing in the surrounding areas and the city centre.
Efforts are also underway to ‘minimise disruption’ in Manchester city centre and the surrounding areas, GMP confirmed.
We’ll be working with partners to ensure Oasis’ homecoming shows pass by safely at Manchester’s Heaton Park starting from this Friday.
Planning has been underway within GMP over the past six months alongside our partners.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) July 10, 2025
“Our priority is to ensure everyone’s safety,” explained Assistant Chief Constable, Matt Boyle.
“We have worked closely with event organisers and partners to make sure the event is safe and enjoyable for those attending, whilst minimising any crime or antisocial behaviour impacts on local residents.
“We will have a large and highly visible policing operation in place in Heaton Park, the city centre, and on routes into and out of the venue to help people enjoy the event. We also have neighbourhood police officers and staff in place who are dedicated to dealing with local residents’ concerns.
“Our advice to fans attending is to enjoy yourselves but to remain vigilant, keep your belongings safe, and report anything suspicious to police or security staff so we can act on it.”
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