Manchester United are once again holding their charity sleepout at Old Trafford in an effort to raise money for vulnerable young people and Greater Manchester’s homeless community.
This being just the second year the stadium sleepout has ever been held at the Theatre of Dreams, the aim of the charity sleepout is to raise awareness surrounding rough sleeping in and around Manchester, especially amongst the younger people in or on the verge of homelessness.
The crucial fundraising event will encourage supporters to swap their beds for a sleeping bag for the night and camp out within the club’s home ground, this time sleeping not only under the stars but in the actual stands at Old Trafford.
In a rare opportunity, fans will have the chance to try and get some kip whilst overlooking the iconic pitch in a bid to come together and raise funds for both the Manchester United Foundation and youth homelessness charity, Centrepoint. You can see clips of how last year’s stadium sleepout went below:
Last year’s Old Trafford sleepout evoked some heartwarming scenes.
In 2022, more than 60 Man United fans, along with various other individuals from in and around the club as well as local charities, piled into the Munich Tunnel to be part of the first-ever Old Trafford sleepout in testing temperatures to experience what it’s like to sleep on the streets.
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Bringing their sleeping bags, blankets, flasks of hot tea and snacks to share with other compassionate Reds taking part, the group managed to raise over £20,000 for the United Foundation and Centrepoint — vital funds needed to help support an estimated 121,000 young people who asked for help in the face of homelessness last year alone.
While the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is doing plenty of crucial work to combat youth homelessness and rough sleeping in general across the 10 boroughs, it goes without saying that money like this could drastically change the circumstances of so many people for the better.
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If, like it did so many others last year, this deeply moving cause stirs you enough to consider taking part, registration is £30 per person and all participants are being asked to pledge a minimum of £250 to support those in need, but of course it’s the taking part that counts. You can register your interest HERE.
The Foundation‘s long-serving CEO, John Shiels, said of the second event: “This year’s sleep out comes the added incentive of fans being able to bed down under the night sky in the stands at Old Trafford, albeit in freezing conditions as we show solidarity with young people facing hardship in the winter months.
“The Foundation operates in some of the areas of highest social deprivation in Greater Manchester, so sadly we know the extent of the challenges our participants face and how important it is we continue to support them through our work, particularly during winter.
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“Last year’s sleep out harnessed the togetherness of our communities, and building on that, I am confident that we can raise more vital funds and awareness to help vulnerable young people in Greater Manchester with the support of Manchester United’s incredible fanbase.”
Homelessness always feels more prevalent as we enter the colder months but, of course, it remains a deeply pressing social issue all year round both in our local communities and across the UK. We’re proud to know that people in and around our city are always doing their bit to help make a difference.
Chester Zoo announces new spring date for its popular running event to help UK wildlife
Emily Sergeant
Chester Zoo has announced that its popular Run For Nature is back again this year, and this time, there’s a new spring edition.
The UK’s biggest charity zoo seen success with this event in the past few years, with thousands of runners signing up for one of the North West’s most unique athletic experiences and all funds raised going towards efforts to protect highly-endangered giraffes in Africa.
This year though, the much-loved event’s focus brings conservation ‘a little closer to home’ and will protect some of the UK’s most threatened species instead – with all funds helping to safeguard hedgehogs, kingfishers, otters, harvest mice, and more.
It comes as the UK is currently considered one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth.
Participants will first get to wind through the zoo and enjoy glimpses of elephants, lemurs, and other incredible species along the way, before heading out into the picturesque Cheshire countryside.
Adults can choose from a 10K or 5K route, while younger runners are invited to take part in a one-mile ‘Zoom’ race, open to children aged four-15, which takes place entirely within the zoo’s incredible 130-acre grounds.
All runners will receive free entry to the zoo for the rest of the day as part of their registration, along with a 25% discount for friends and family who come along to show support.
Chester Zoo’s popular 10K charity run is returns with a new spring date / Credit: Chester Zoo
Lorraine Jubb, who is the Fundraising Lead at Chester Zoo, called the Run For Nature a ‘really special event’.
“In previous years, runners have already supported conservation efforts for Asian elephants, Eastern black rhinos and Northern giraffe,” she explained. This springtime though, we’re turning our attention much closer to home in the UK, and to the wildlife we share our gardens, parks and countryside with.
“With one in six species now at risk of extinction in the UK, every runner will be playing a vital role in helping us protect animals and supporting our growing nature recovery work across right across Cheshire.
Run For Nature will take place on the new springtime date of Sunday 29 March 2026, and there’s 3,000 places to sign up for.
You can find out more and register on the Chester Zoo website here.
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
Sport
Casemiro is leaving Manchester United at the end of the season
Danny Jones
Manchester United player Casemiro has confirmed that he will be leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The veteran CDM and European footballing legend joined Man United back in 2022 for around £70 million from his former team, Real Madrid, where he won everything over the best part of a decade.
Now, Old Trafford fan favourite ‘Cas’ (full name, Carlos Henrique José Francisco Venâncio Casimiro) is set to leave United following the expiration of his current and highly lucrative deal this summer.
Announcing his pending departure in an emotional video, the seasoned Brazilian midfielder admitted that he feels the time is right to leave the club – but not before giving his “everything” in the remainder of the current campaign.
Writing in the caption of the social media post, Casemiro said: “Knowing when stages come to an end. Knowing when to say goodbye when you feel that you will be remembered and respected forever.
“Four months to give my all for this badge and for our goal. Eternal respect and affection for Manchester United and its wonderful fans. Forever Red Devil.”
Responding underneath the partnered post, the club simply wrote: “Once a Red, always a Red.”
Now 33 years old and already being accused of being ‘over the hill’ even when he first landed in Manchester, Casemiro had an impressive first season under Erik ten Hag and quickly became a crucial cog in the squad; arguably, overly relied upon, some would say.
On the other hand, given his age and the fast pace of English football, it’s fair to say he’s done well to keep up with the most competitive league on the planet.
He is also one of the well-paid talents in the Premier League, so while the majority of supporters will be gutted to see him go, the board will still be relieved to see his estimated £350,000-a-week wages taken off the books.
Nevertheless, he is now regularly subbed off around the hour mark for Man United, and it’s not exactly a surprise that he is now preparing to move on. INEOS and their recruitment already look to be searching for reinforcements in the middle of the park.
They are looking to bolster their options as they chase down Champions League qualification
Bringing a wealth of experience and leadership to ten Hag, Ruben Amorim, and now Michael Carrick‘s setup for what’s left of the 2025/26 term, he’s a big presence that will no doubt be missed in the dressing room and on the pitch.
Having scored 21 times in 146 games so far, he will finish the season with more than a century of appearances, and we wouldn’t be surprised if you see him chip in with a few more goals before hanging up his red shirt.
Besides being a serial throughout pretty much the rest of his career, the midfield remains a key point of contention at United, and his departure will no doubt mean more talent will need to be brought in at least by the summer.
You can see more of his farewell announcement video down below.
💬 “I will always carry this club with me. I will always be a Manchester United fan.”
Danny Jones -
31st October 2023 
