West Ham United and England star Declan Rice has teamed up with CALM (Campaign Against Miserable Living) to raise awareness surrounding loneliness, mental health and suicide prevention.
The 23-year-old midfielder might currently be away with the Three Lions for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but he’s already making an impact back home as well as on the pitch with this moving campaign.
Fighting for mental health since 1997 when they set up their first NHS suicide helpline, before going on to become a national charity in 2006, CALM remains one the most important causes in the UK and now, with the help of Rice, they are reminding people that you can always reach out to someone.
Not only does the advert produce some moving images but it also has a very powerful message.
You don’t have to be alone to feel alone. Whatever you’re going through, let’s #TackleItTogether.
We’ve teamed up with @_DeclanRice to show that whatever you’re struggling with, someone is always on your side. However you feel right now, you’re never alone. CALM is always here. pic.twitter.com/YTtYsab7E8
As you can see, the suicide prevention charity managed to edit one of Rice’s genuine England performances from Euro 2020 by removing every other player from the pitch: the result of which shows him isolated as he struggles around the pitch and calls out to teammates that aren’t there.
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In perhaps the most evocative moment in the entire clip, the young footballer is knocked down as the short but impactful titles appear on screen – “You don’t have to be alone to feel alone” – and someone reaches out a hand to lift him to his feet.
It’s a somewhat simple concept but one that manages to tap into an all-too-real feeling that most if not all of us experience in our lives. Most importantly, however, it also serves as a reminder that no matter how lonely you may feel, there is always someone there to help.
CALM says its helplines are now providing more help with loneliness than anything else, as activity on their UK helpline and webchat services are up by 62% (around 20,000 calls per month) compared to pre-pandemic levels, and calls are also up 21% since last year.
Referencing a 2020/2021 study, the charity says that at least three million people in England feel lonely either often or always — and that’s only the people that felt comfortable enough to respond. Part of the reason they chose an England player is that this figure alone could fill Wembley 33 times over.
Moreover, in light of the horrific vitriol that followed the Euros and given the fact that there were over 2,500 registered suicides in the first half of this year alone, this appeal to be kind and reach out to one another feels more pertinent than ever. Check in on your family and keep an eye on your mates.
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For anyone who needs to speak to someone, you contact CALM on 0800 58 58 58 or via their webchat, and if you or anyone else you know needs urgent help, call 999 immediately.
You find out more about the crucial campaign HERE.
Manchester Marathon to host the 2025 English Championships
Danny Jones
More running pedigree beckons for 0161 as this year’s Adidas Manchester Marathon has been officially selected as the host of the 2025 English Championships.
Set to take place on Sunday, 27 April, which is now the UK’s largest day of running in recent history with the London Marathon taking place simultaneously down the other end of the country, Greater Manchester is once again set to transform into one of the most popular races in Europe.
Known as favourite personal bests given its ‘fantastically flat’ nature, an estimated 36,000 runners are set to descend on the city centre and beyond, with countless more expected to spectate.
With the Manchester Marathon officially being selected for this year’s national championships by England Athletics, there’s even more reason to line the streets.
We are delighted to announce that England Athletics have selected us to host the English Championships 2025! 🏆We’ll be welcoming some of the best endurance athletes to the iconic 26.2-mile course in April.
As per an official update on the race website, the elite competition is due to see more than 50 athletes compete for titles, including 22 participants currently in the Men’s Category and 29 in the Women’s.
The line-up at present includes 2024 Men’s winner Adam Clarke, who finished the event in a ridiculous 02:16:29 last April and, fingers crossed, Women’s champion Charlie Arnell is expected to defend her title this year too.
Arnell, who won on her marathon debut, completed the Women’s race last year in a stunning 02:37:12 – a feat she trained for all whilst full-time for the NHS clinical systems team.
Simply staggering stuff.
The fierce competition between the elite waves will begin first thing on event day before the hordes of runners eventually follow in their wake, and we’re sure it’s going to be an absolute blockbuster.
As well as hosting the English Championships, this year will also mark the first new finish line in some time as the 2025 Manchester Marathon as the home stretch has been changed from the familiar tarmac of Talbot Road.
Last year’s Manchester Marathon was one of the biggest ever, not only seeing record numbers of participants but nearly £30 million raised for the local economy and £3.7m for charities alone.
A member of The Manc or two may or may not also be taking part again this year – by which we mean they definitely are – so watch this space and we hope to see you cheering on the sidelines.
Public places for this year’s marathon have well and truly sold out but you can still register your interest for 2026 HERE.
Indoor golf bar with state-of-the-art simulators to open in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A stylish new bar is heading to Manchester where you can play simulator golf and shuffleboard with late-night DJs soundtracking your swing.
Pitch will be branching up north from London in March, promising 10 state-of-the-art simulator bays, a TRENDYGOLF concept store and plenty more.
The brand is set to open at Goods Yard, alongside Caravan (another London export) and Fenix.
Pitch says its arrival to Manchester will ‘change the way the sport is played in the city centre’, making golf more diverse and accessible to all.
Visitors to the stylish space, which will be open seven days a week, will be able to recreate the experience of real golf through their high-tech simulator technology.
You’ll be able to virtually visit the world’s most famous courses, including the Old Course at St Andrews Links and Pebble Beach in California.
Inside Pitch, there’ll also be a sleek bar and kitchen with a wide range of cocktails and dishes, including an Asian-inspired ’18 Greens’ menu.
The new venue will also extend the brand’s academy for beginner women golfers, in partnership with Adidas, which has welcomed more than 1,000 golfers in London.
The on-site TRENDYGOLF Concept Store will be open six days a week stocking brands like Lindeberg, Hugo Boss, Manors, Malbon Golf, Ralph Lauren and G/FORE.
Pitch is opening its first bar in Manchester, with golf simulators and more
Pitch co-founder and CEO Elliot Godfrey said: “We’re very excited to open our first venue in Manchester at the start of 2025, giving Pitch a presence in one of the UK’s busiest cities and one with a special relationship with sport.
“When we began the process of expanding beyond London, Manchester was one of the first places we set our sights on, and it’s fitting to open our innovative concept somewhere that has always striven to be at the forefront of development and progress.
“Pitch venues are the perfect places for social gatherings, and it is a way of playing and engaging with the game that is open to everyone.”
Co-founder Chris Ingham added: “Enterprise City is the perfect setting for a Pitch venue and our new branch will become part of one of the UK’s best social and cultural hotspots when it opens.
“With a TRENDYGOLF Concept Store and no shortage of food and drink options, we envision this being a place where Mancunians can spend hours socialising, golfing and dining in style.”
Pitch Manchester will open its golf bar at Goods Yard in March 2025.
Danny Jones -
24th November 2022 
