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.
London attraction The Curling Club is now expanding into Manchester
Thomas Melia
Well-reviewed winter attraction The Curling Club, which has already made a name for itself in London, is now making its way to Manchester.
Set to open in Manchester’s world-class skyscraper district, New Jackson, The Curling Club is keeping its stay short and sweet, with a three-month residency here in the city centre.
Curling Club will signal in the mid-winter season as it runs from late November right through until the end of February, giving you a lengthy period of time to sweep ’til your heart’s content.
This sports-themed pop-up opened in the capital last year, offering guests a wintery escape packed with food and drink choices, accommodating up to 600 people at a time, right next to The Shard.
The Curling Club is set to open in Manchester this November until February.Imagine a pint or two in this curling haven in Manchester this year.Credit: Justin De Souza
Now, Manchester’s latest activity bar destination is bringing its charm and competitiveness to Manchester for the first time ever, hoping to emulate the success of its capital predecessor while encouraging people to pick up the sport.
Just like the original London location, their Manc site will feature the iconic custom-built lanes and sustainably-made granite stones, which are set to improve your precision and control – fancy that.
We’re sure will still somehow manage to be the worst players in the room at any given time.
If that wasn’t enough curling expertise for you, there will also be on-site coaches helping guests perfect their technique and providing some top-notch advice.
There will even be an exclusive appearance from Olympic gold medallist Eve Muirhead and Team GB’s ‘Chef de Mission’, Mark England, who will be hosting select events across the two cities.
Manchester can expect a similar curling set-up this year.The glitter-ball dancers ready and waiting for this wintertime.Credit: Justin De Souza
New Jackson will be the ultimate backdrop for this innovative winter experience as the venue will be curating seasonal cocktails as well as being home to live DJS, glitter-ball dancers and some seriously good food.
You had us at booze and scran.
Keep this seasonal site in mind as they’re already marking themselves as a destination for work parties, events, group outings and Christmas party celebrations.
Trevor Bowers, Chairman of The Curling Club, said of the impending opening: “With this expansion and other plans, we’re accelerating our national rollout – all while staying focused on delivering exceptional, high-quality experiences for both guests and corporate clients during the winter season.”
Manchester United to wear special one-off shirt for important awareness campaign
Danny Jones
Just to pre-empt any Manchester United fans fearing they’re still in total delirium the next time they see that iconic red shirt, we can confirm it isn’t just your rose-tinted glasses deceiving you – the club will be wearing a special one-off shirt with a notable difference very soon.
All eyes may now be on Wednesday, 21 May but this limited edition kit has already caught the eye of many supporters for one very obvious reason.
In case you haven’t seen it for yourselves already, Man United have confirmed that both the men’s and women’s squads will be will be wearing a slight variation on their home shirt for their next two matches as part of a special campaign for an important charitable cause.
Joining forces with their usual primary shirt sponsors Snapdragon and global health campaigners Product RED, this one-off alternative strip will be unveiled on the pitch this week.
Product Red, or simply (RED) as it will read on the jersey itself, is a worldwide charity that’s been working to fight global health crises since 2006.
(RED)’s key aim is to end the AIDS epidemic and related injustices by raising money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
The organisation officially partnered with the club and Snapdragon back in January in an effort to help drive awareness and generate further backing for their work – it just so happens that teaming up with one the planet’s biggest brands and one synomyous with that colour made for the perfect collaboration.
With that in mind, putting together a one-off Man United kit with (RED) slap bang in the middle as is close to a commercial/charitable tap-in as you’re probably ever going to get.
Set to be debuted by Manchester United Women in their WSL fixutre against Arsenal this Saturday, 10 May and then again by Ruben Amorim’s side in the Premier League the following day (Sun, 11 May); plus, a select few limited edition replicas shirts will be made available for fans to purchase.
Be first in the know, Reds 👀
Get notified when our limited-edition @RED collection drops ⤵️#MUFC || @Snapdragon
It goes without saying that given the nature of the front-of-shirt sponsor swap, these will no doubt become somewhat of a special item among kit collectors from the off.
More importantly, however, the funds raised through selling these one-off Man United shirts will provide much-needed income for the non-profit and their crucial efforts.
The unveiling of the comes not long after the bedlam that ensued inside Old Trafford during the second leg against Athletic Club, in which United booked their return trip back to Bilbao for the Europa League final, leaving plenty of fans of seeing nothing but the colour red ever since.
MUWFC also sealed their spot in the Women’s Champions League next season to with an important point in the Manchester Derby this past weekend, confirming a finish above Man City this year.
Safe to say it’s been a good few days to be a (RED).