Looking to challenge yourself in 2022? Fancy setting some new fitness goals? Reckon you’re up for a 10K, or even a Half Marathon?
It doesn’t have to be running – perhaps you’d prefer to tackle something else entirely?
A lot of us will already have our New Year’s resolutions picked out and lined up, but if you’re really up for a test in 2022, then one of Manchester’s most iconic charities is offering an ideal incentive to get going by giving The Manc’s readers and followers an exclusive opportunity to get £25-worth of entry fees to any sponsored event refunded if they choose to commit to raising some worthy funds in its name.
If you’ve not heard of We Love MCR before, the charity works with some of the city’s most vulnerable people and ambitious communities to help them write Manchester’s next chapter.
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The charity says it knows too well the problems that the people within our city face, especially as one in three children live in poverty, one in 10 have no qualifications to their name, and alongside that, there are also those who seek to create division within our communities – but, the charity’s seeks to address these challenges.
It aims to do so by “spreading opportunities” and “helping communities to build themselves up” through direct financial support.
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And taking part in a sponsored event or challenge could not be a more ideal way to help.
We Love MCR Charity wants to help ambitious Mancunians achieve their goals in 2022 / Credit: Great Manchester Run
For whatever it is you’re keen to set your mind to, there’s plenty of challenges already lined up in the Manchester events calendar for 2022.
Need some inspiration?
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One of the largest events – and the highlights of the year – is the Great Manchester Run.
This year, the Great Manchester Run returns on Sunday 22 May, and with entertainment zones that celebrate local character and culture at every kilometre, some of the best – and loudest – crowd support anywhere in the world, and all the action televised live on the BBC, it’s known as an event day experience like no other.
Depending on your choice or running ability, the Great Manchester Run has both a 10K circuit and a Half Marathon that you can sign up to.
Entries are open to runners aged 15+ (10k) and 17+ (Half marathon) on the day of the event.
The WLMC Firewalk in St Peter’s Square on 13 October 2021 / Credit: We Love MCR Charity
All sponsorship money raised by those undertaking the 2022 Great Manchester Run, or indeed any sponsored event across the city-region throughout next year, will go directly to supporting We Love MCR Charity’s two current grant programmes – the ‘Manchester’s Rising Stars Fund’, and the ‘Stronger Communities Fund’ – which both support local communities and ambitious young Mancunians to overcome the barriers in their way and recover from the problems created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ‘Manchester’s Rising Stars Fund’ awards grants to ambitious young Mancunians to remove the first hurdle that prevents them from fulfilling their ambitions – in qualifications, work and entrepreneurship.
While the ‘Stronger Communities Fund’ aims to empower local people to improve their own communities and spaces, whenever they are ready.
The Great Manchester Run returns on Sunday 22 May 2022 / Credit: Great Manchester Run
2022 is set to be another big year for the charity.
And you can be a part of that.
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You can download the exclusive refund entry form on the link below, and sign up to do a sponsored event of your choice in 2022 for We Love MCR Charity.
Wigan favourites Stanleys release first single ahead of debut album next year
Danny Jones
Fast-rising Wigan band Stanleys have dropped the lead single from their debut album, which is finally on its way and will be coming sometime next year.
Entitled ‘Pass The Time’, the Stanleys’ latest outing arrived on Friday, 20 February, and while there’s still no specific release date for the first-ever full-length LP, we do know it’s coming at some point in 2027.
To simply label it as more catchy indie would be a disservice to the craft and graft these lads have put in: this is definitely a step forward and in a slightly different direction, with an even more guitar-driven feel and an extra bit of gruff about it compared to previous Stanleys material.
Our only minor complaint is that we wish it lasted a little longer – we want MORE.
An energetic two-and-a-half-minute track that we can already see becoming a fan favourite, it’s one we’re looking forward to hearing in the flesh.
We’ve caught the Stanleys boys live a few times now, both here in Manchester city centre and at their sold-out show in Wigan as part of The Monaco relaunch, as well as at the likes of Kendal Calling festival in recent years.
Safe to say, they never disappoint, and neither do their growing crowd of die-hards.
With lyrics touching on not just the passing of time but also that sense of youthful ambition and how it fluctuates with age, it feels like one of those defiant indie rallying cries we grew up listening to in our own adolescence, and it definitely has plenty of energy to it.
Both The Manc and our wider Audio North team had the pleasure of chatting with them back in November 2024, and you can tell they have big plans to take on not just the local music scene but the UK and beyond.
The release of ‘Pass The Time’ comes almost a year on from their last song, ‘Out the Door’: a similarly fast-run song, albeit with a different vibe.
Positioned as part of Wigan’s next generation of new bands and artists, Stanleys are clearly looking to keep developing as musicians, and if tunes like these are anything to go by, then we can’t wait for their first full record.
They’re also going to be playing a night here in Manchester city centre and beloved grassroots venue, Night and Day, this April; you can grab tickets HERE.
So get adding it to your Spotify playlists, watching the music video, and maybe we’ll see you at the gig.
Adults-only ‘after hours’ event returns to Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum next month
Emily Sergeant
A popular adults-only ‘after hours’ event is returning to Manchester next month.
Fancy releasing your inner child? If you need an excuse to leave the little Mancs at home, then one of Manchester’s most visited museums might have just what you’re looking for, as the Science and Industry Museum has announced that its popular After Hours event especially for adults is returning for one night only next month.
You’ll get to celebrate the energy that ‘sparked a revolution’ with an evening of interactive games, live music, and unique experiences as you explore the Museum once it’s closed for the day.
It’s your chance to be among the first to explore the newly re-opened Power Hall: The Andrew Law Gallery after dark, and experience the sights, smells, and sounds of engine-driven ideas that started in Manchester and went on to change the world.
An adults-only ‘after hours’ event is coming to Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum next month / Credit: Science Museum Group
The Museum’s permanent galleries and displays will also be open after hours, so you can get hands-on with science in Experiment, meet mighty machines in the Textiles Gallery, and discover Manchester‘s rich legacy of industrial innovations, creativity, and world-changing ideas in Revolution Manchester.
You’ll also be embrace your inner child with free access to the brand-new world premiere exhibition Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos, which just opened last week in time for half term, and of course, indulge your playful side in Power Up – with more than 150 consoles to choose from in the ultimate gaming exhibition.
Especially for this particular evening, you can look forward to some very special one-off events, as well as the chance to take part in a whole host of high-energy interactive games.
There’ll be an ‘unforgettable’ performance from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Viola, celebrating all things power with a spectacular combination of violin and vocals, as well as a set from musician Mike Cunningham who’ll light up the evening with bold and colourful LED drumming inspired by the sounds of Manchester’s industry and creative spirit.
And of course, as this is an adults-only event, the museum’s events bar will be popping up on the night, and will be serving up a wide range of wines, beers, and non-alcoholic drinks to wet your whistle while you’re looking around, with some delicious food to accompany too.
Emily Sergeant -
3rd January 2022 
