A new campaign has been launched and it’s urging businesses in Greater Manchester and beyond to donate their cancelled Christmas party budgets to charity.
The #XmasPartyHeroes campaign – which has already raised more than £500,000 in less than a week – is the brainchild of Mark Hawthorn, the CEO of investor Landmark Group, and as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has already caused most businesses to cancel their Christmas parties this year, it is encouraging companies to donate any unused funds to a charity of their choice.
A number of high-profile national companies have already signed up.
Companies that have pledged money to charities through the campaign so far include Timpson, Property Alliance Group, Urban Splash, FK Group and Barratt Developments – and the commitment is growing.
Charities have also picked up on the idea and are promoting it to their partners too.
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Speaking on the launch and the initial success of the campaigh, Mark Hawthorn said: “There will be lots of unspent Christmas party budgets this year and this campaign offers a really simple and effective solution that many businesses may not have considered.
“I only had the idea a week ago and after making a few calls to sound it out, I’ve been inundated with people wanting to get onboard.
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“The reaction so far shows there is the potential to raise tens of millions of pounds for charity.”
He continued: “With the help of my team, we’ve launched a Xmas Party Heroes website to support the campaign and keep the momentum going. All we ask is that businesses let us know how much they have donated so we can keep a running total and help make a massive difference to those who need it the most.”
Victoria Russell – Director at Property Alliance Group – added: “Charities need support more than ever in 2020 and Xmas Party Heroes is a great way to raise a significant amount of money and awareness.
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“The COVID-19 pandemic has hit disadvantaged communities the hardest, with increasing numbers of children and young people that would not have previously been identified as vulnerable, now moving into thresholds of higher need.
“Unemployment is increasing, loneliness, food poverty, issues relating to emotional health and wellbeing are all on the rise, which create additional demand and pressure on public services.
“It’s great to see so many businesses getting behind this idea and helping to raise much needed funds.”
Adam Farricker, CEO, HideOut Youth Zone, Manchester added: “Whilst local charities and youth services have been hit hard across the country, they have continued to deliver essential services throughout this time, providing critical support when and where needed the most in the heart of our local communities.
“As a youth work charity in Manchester, HideOut Youth Zone continues to provide young people with somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk do. Professional experienced youth workers take a holistic approach to supporting young people, their families and the wider community, with the aim of tackling existing and emerging inequalities, building resilience and improving life chances.
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“We are committed to continuing our work to support the most vulnerable in the lead up to Christmas and are extremely grateful to the donations we have received on the back of this campaign – any donations, large or small, would be gratefully received and can be sent to us directly via our Virgin Giving page.”
Fancy getting involved?
You can find more information about taking part in the campaign through visiting the Xmas Party Heroes website here, and by following @XmasPartyHeroes on Twitter, as well as the #XmasPartyHeroes and #JoinInToHelpOut hashtags.
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Manchester firefighter surprises partner with proposal during new recruits parade
Danny Jones
We’re a sucker for a wholesome little video as we know you are, which is exactly why we thought of you lot when we came across this video of a newly graduated Manchester firefighter surprising his partner with a heartwarming proposal.
Just the kind of heartwarming that usually sets us off after a long week at work.
The clip shared by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) on Thursday, 25 April, shows Manc fireman James popping the question to his girlfriend sat unassumingly in the audience at a recent passing out ceremony.
Pass out ceremonies are when trainees go from recruits to fully qualified firefighters after completing their intensive operational training. It’s a long-standing tradition in the emergency services where friends and family gather to celebrate their achievements – it’s almost like it’s the perfect opportunity…
As you can see, since the graduates are usually the centre of attention, James couldn’t help but size his moment and instead of walking and lining up normally like everyone else, he decided to head straight over to his wife-to-be and get down on one knee.
You already know the rest.
Welling up immediately and barely able to remove her hands from her face, Melissa nods and says yes as the crowd cheers and the pair share a smooch.
Writing on social media, the GMFRS said: “We managed to capture a VERY special moment at our new recruits pass out parade today… Congratulations to James and Melissa!”, adding, “Certainly one way to start your new career”.
If we don’t see all the groomsmen dressed as firefighters on a random viral video sometime soon we’re going to be gutted.
All the best to the happy couple and if you’ve got any more lovely clips like this to send in so we can make ourselves cry (in a good way), you know what to do.
Featured Images — Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
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The Chestergate pub in Stockport is at it again with some of the most wonderfully Manc scenes you’ll ever see
Danny Jones
The legendary Chestergate pub in Stockport is back with another belter of a video, following on from their viral belly-flashing clip of 2022.
The Mersey Square boozer has painted yet another quintessentially Northern depiction of UK pub culture with the latest Manc scenes they’ve captured around the karaoke machine.
If you’ve never had the pleasure of stumbling into The Chestergate in Stockport town centre, the long-standing boozer currently operated by publican chain Blind Tiger Inns, you’re seriously missing out.
While it might not be the flashiest of pubs, when it comes to entertainment, it always delivers.
Whether it’s stunts like renaming themselves ‘The Southgate’ whenever the Euros or World Cup rolls around, or the locals just genuinely having a whale of a time no matter what day of the week it is, it really sums up the best of pub culture.
The Chestergate went viral for some of the most British footage ever caught on film back in 2022 and the videos saw a huge wave of love and support flooding in for the pub, as well as a healthy amount of chuckles. Safe to say we were chuffed to see them pop back up on our feed again recently.
Karaoke night at The Chestergate literally never disappoints.
Forget ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ or ‘Champagne Supernova’ for karaoke songs – we’ll take a cacophony of inaudible throwback pop music, whilst another bloke and his hype man try and MC over a totally ill-fitting beat any day of the week.
And that’s handy because you’ll find those kinds of shenanigans happening at this place all the time.
It’s simultaneously one of the most no-nonsense and somehow a non-stop shenanigan-filled paradise. They also look after their own and consider their regulars part of the family. Case and point: they threw their very own ‘Dancing Queen’ Molly a big bash for her 86th birthday and it’s such wholesome viewing.
At this point, it’s worth flagging that we have nothing but envy for these folks and anyone who’s just out there having the time of their lives on any random weeknight.
Yes, it produced plenty of laughs for those watching online in recent times but this lot won’t mind one bit – not only is the pub seeing more and more new faces through the door but that’s the whole point of a pub, isn’t it? Going for a pint with your nearest and dearest and having a laugh.
Not only is it very Manchester but it’s Britain at its very best.
We hope to see you at The Chestergate pub in Stockport for a pint or two sometime soon and we’re making a bit of a prat of ourselves, don’t worry, we’re sure they’ll have the cameras ready for you.