The Manchester United Foundation is continuing to carry out its regular schedule of wholesome community initiatives, with the club inviting a whole host of fans down to Carrington to meet the squad for ‘Dream Day’.
Now a biannual event on the United Foundation‘s calendar, Dream Days are heartwarming events that return every season, offering supporters travelling from all over the UK to come and meet with their footballing heroes and watch a first-team training session from the balcony of the Jimmy Murphy Centre.
This being the first of the year, fans sadly suffering from life-limiting illnesses arrived at the nearby training complex where they got to meet captain Bruno Fernandes, Man United and England centre-back Harry Maguire, club legend Wes Brown; the gaffer himself, Erik ten Hag, and many more.
As you can see from the pics, the players might have been a touch sweaty and damp from the Manc weather, but it didn’t stop them from making it a very special day for everyone in attendance.
For those who are a part of it, the United Dream Day initiative always lives up to its name.
With the likes of Brown and other members of the MUFC staff greeting guests and providing them with goodie bags and shirts before the real surprise, the kids’ and parents’ faces tell you everything you need to know.
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Speaking on the importance of the day, Bruno Fernandes said, “It’s really important. Dream Days have been part of the club for so many years. We know that football can bring so much joy to the fans and I hope that today it’s been a special moment for them, and we’ve put smiles on their faces.”
Echoing his teammate, Norwegian striker Rasmus Hojlund went on to say: “I enjoy giving back. I’ve been a young fan myself and I know how it is, so it’s good that we can have days like this. They are so happy to see us, and we are happy to see them too.
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“That’s what football is all about; it’s been a really positive experience.”
As for the fan side of things, 13-year-old Harley, who got to meet his idol Kobbie Mainoo, couldn’t get enough of the day, labelling it a “once-in-a-lifetime experience. Today was really fun. I was having surgery in January and now I’m here, it’s crazy.”
John, father of 18-year-old Lydia, told club media: “We’ve had an incredible day. Lydia has had the best time; it’s great memories for her and for our family. She’s United mad, football mad, and has been since a young age, so it’s just brilliant to be here today.”
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A regular volunteer at Foundation events, previous club captain Maguire added: “It’s a day we all look forward to. Seeing so many smiles, you can feel the energy around the place. You go away from here feeling really proud to be able to play for this club; it’s great to meet so many fantastic people.”
The Foundation carried all kinds of charity work throughout the year and we look forward to many more wholesome scenes throughout 2024.
Featured Images — Manchester United Foundation (Supplied)
Sport
A ‘legacy walk’ in memory of Joe Thompson is taking place across Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
The ‘Walk With Me for JT’, a.k.a Joe Thompson ‘Legacy Walk’, is back next month, and Greater Mancunians are being encouraged to take part.
Returning this year following his tragic passing last April, the now annual charity walk has already raised thousands for charity and is set for another big turnout.
Joe Thompson, an ex-Rochdale AFC and Bury FC player, sadly died at just 36 following a long battle with lymphoma, having been diagnosed three different times in 12 years.
While the young husband and father of two’s story is a heartbreaking one, it has also become a source of inspiration for so many across the North West and, indeed, across the UK, with people once again gearing up to complete a fundraising walk in his name.
Set to honour him by making the journey from his adopted home of Rochdale all the way to Old Trafford, with Thompson having come through Man United’s youth academy, the 15-mile trek will start at his former club’s Crown Oil Arena and stop at Bury’s Gigg Lane as well as Salford City’s Peninsula Stadium.
First held in 2024 under the ‘Walk With Me for JT’ banner, the initial legacy walk saw the Bath-born footballer and countless others complete 21 miles in an effort to raise money for treatment.
Gone but never forgotten, the charity walk survives not only in the hearts and souls of his family, friends and other people’s lives he touched, but in the community spirit that his struggle and immense bravery in the face of illness helped spur on throughout the region and beyond.
Writing on social media, the Thompson family and the Foundation in his memory said, “Last year, he walked beside us. This year, we walk for him. This isn’t just a walk… It’s a promise. A promise to carry his strength, his belief, his light forward.
For every family facing illness. For everyone experiencing loss or hardship. For anyone who needs hope right now. Every step matters. Every mile has meaning. Whether you’ve walked before or this is your first time. You won’t walk alone.”
Join the annual Joe Thompson legacy walk on Saturday 2nd May 💙
Departing from the Crown Oil Arena, the 15-mile walk will finish at Manchester United's Old Trafford 🏟️
They signed off by adding: “Be part of something bigger. Be part of Joe’s legacy. Be part of the movement. Get a team together, invite your friends, colleagues and family and let’s raise funds to support The Joe Thompson Foundation.”
With the event beginning at 11am on Saturday, 2 May, there have already been numerous sign-ups, and you can expect even more to lace up their shoes and pay tribute to a local hero.
If you want to join in the effort and help do your bit, you can register for the 2026 Joe Thompson Legacy Walk right HERE.
Tom Aspinall, Eddie Hearn, Frank Smith and more set to join latest Fight Day 5k in Manchester
Danny Jones
Big names from the world of combat sports are returning to town, not just for the next boxing match happening in Greater Manchester, but for the now regular Fight Day 5k alongside it.
Organised with promoters Matchroom Boxing, local club Manchester Road Runners (MRR), along with a number of other sponsors like Everlast, they’re hoping to make this one of their biggest yet.
Plus, with the likes of Manc MMA star Tom Aspinall in tow and Eddie Hearn himself set to lead the route around central Manchester, there’s just as much reason to be excited by the morning run as there is the next fight.
This event has happened multiple times in 0161 before, but with more people expected to turn up than ever and a homegrown fighter following up later in the day, this one feels extra special.
Scheduled fresh on Good Friday, 3 April (after all, fighters get up earlier than most), the 5k jog around the city centre will be hosted from House of Social – who have been teaming up with MRR for weekly running events since last November – and a whole host of other familiar names are due to join in.
Better still, there’ll be lots of fun to be had later on too, with participants encouraged not only to turn up early and soak up the atmosphere, but to stick around afterwards for a chance to meet Matchroom talents, as well as enjoy a thoroughly deserved post-run drink and chill.
Plus, in case you haven’t tried it before, the scran at House of Social is top-notch and well worth a try.
This latest Fight Day 5k is, of course, being hosted ahead of Sale-born rising star Pat Brown taking on Vasil Ducar on Friday night.
Facing off against the Czech fighter at the Planet Ice arena in Altrincham, the native Team GB boxer couldn’t have put things plainer in his pre-match presser…
So much for trash-talk: he just told everyone how it is.
This will be just the 26-year-old’s sixth fight as a pro, but having won all of his first five fights last year by knockout, we have a sneaking suspicion 2026 is going to be his year.
In terms of his opponent, Ducar is a much more experienced challenge than he’s ever faced before, with a record of 19-7-2 – 14 of those wins also being KOs.
There are still tickets left for the fight, which will be broadcast exclusively on DAZN from 7pm (ringwalks at approximately 9:39pm), and for those of you who want to join in with the partnered Fight Day 5k, you can sign up completely free right HERE.
Danny Jones -
11th April 2024 
