After all, when more than £15,000 was raised for the charity‘s vital work supporting Manchester communities last time round, then why no go for round two?
The We Love MCR Sponsored Firewalk is part of the charity’s ongoing series of ‘mind-over-matter’ fundraising challenges.
As the flames die down on an unforgettable night in St. Ann's Square, we're thrilled to let you know that our incredible firewalkers raised a scorching £25,000! 🔥
The legendary We Love MCR Charity Firewalk returned with fire and drums, read all below 👇 https://t.co/5j3qspBw8i
And if having 50 fundraisers walk over 700-degree hot coals with dozens of spectators cheering them on wasn’t impressive enough the first time, this year, the event was even bigger and better than ever, because the charity upped the stakes by putting on not one, but two, lanes of fire for walkers to conquer.
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After being rescheduled to Thursday 25 January from its original date last November, due to adverse weather conditions, this meant that the second Firewalk was We Love MCR Charity’s first fundraising event in 2024.
70 “daredevil” Mancs took on the challenge in St Ann’s Square this time around.
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‘Daredevil’ Mancs have raised more than £25,000 for charity / Credit: Jake Lindley (via WLMC)
Firewalking expert, Cliff Mann from TIME4CHANGE, returned to Manchester to oversee the event and coach nervous participants once again.
International samba reggae band, Batala, were also there to add to the atmosphere, and made sure their ferocious drumming served as a dramatic soundtrack to the night’s events so the brave firewalkers had a beat to march to while they stepped out of their comfort zone.
Simon Wright, who is the new Head of We Love MCR Charity, was one of those who took to the coals as his first fundraising event for the charity.
“Since joining We Love MCR in September 2023, I’ve been looking forward to getting involved in some exciting fundraising events,” Simon said following the event.
“And I couldn’t have asked for a better first challenge than a trial by fire right in the heart of the city.
“We’d like to thank our brilliant participants for once again rising to the challenge and raising funds in aid of Manchester’s communities and young people, as we truly couldn’t do it without your support.”
70 fundraisers walked on fire in St Ann’s Square last week / Credit: Jake Lindley (via WLMC)
More than £25,000 was raised from the event, and that figure is climbing by the day too.
All funds raised from the Firewalk will go towards We Love MCR’s life-changing support across the city with its two main grant-giving programmes – the ‘Rising Stars Fund’, and the ‘Stronger Communities Fund’.
Find out more about the future events in WLMC’s ‘Challenge Event Series’ here.
Featured Image – Jake Lindley (via WLMC)
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Chester Zoo needs a new Zoo Ranger to patrol among rare giraffes, tigers, and more
Emily Sergeant
Looking for a career change? Well it surely doesn’t get better than this.
Chester Zoo is currently hiring for a new Zoo Ranger to join their team, and the new recruit will have the pleasure of working in a setting like no other – patrolling among rare giraffes and tigers, and within stunning gardens across a 128-acre estate.
The UK’s biggest charity zoo currently has a vacancy open for a Zoo Ranger, and according to the job description on its website, this is a ‘key role’ working as part of the Conservation Education and Engagement Team, and is one of the most central to visitors’ experiences at the zoo.
The team develop and deliver material to engage visitors with the zoo’s animal collection and worldwide conservation work through a range of diverse, fun, and exciting educational experiences.
For this permanent role, you will need to work 35 hours a week, operating on a two-week roster working every other weekend.
Chester Zoo needs a new Zoo Ranger to patrol among rare giraffes, tigers, and more / Credit: Chester Zoo
The successful applicant will be tasked with interacting with visitors of all ages – including children, families, and other audiences – in groups that could vary from just one individual up to a crowd of about 500, and they will be expected to deliver talks, table-top activities, play-based activities, and storytelling with mascots, puppets, and roleplay.
The ideal candidate will have a wide-ranging knowledge of the natural world, a creative mind, and have the ability to confidently deliver stories, shows, games, and other interactive engagement styles for visitors.
Good organisational and time management skills, the ability to work as part of a team, and excellent customer service skills are also needed.
In return, Chester Zoo offers an ‘excellent’ benefits package for this permanent role.
This includes access to a healthcare plan, 33 days paid holidays per year, a staff pass so that you can visit the zoo for free, and complimentary tickets for friends and family.
Due to the nature of the organisation and the role, this post is subject to a DBS check, and the closing date for applications is Sunday 9 November 2025.
A pop-up ‘sunshine booth’ is landing in Manchester to combat winter blues
Emily Sergeant
A sunshine booth shining special SAD lighting is coming to Manchester this week to combat those winter blues.
As the rain continues to pour down outside and the colder days really begin to set in as autumn draws to a close, Holland & Barrett, the UK’s leading health and wellness retailer, says it’s on a mission to help the nation stay well this winter.
With the days getting shorter and darker, the average Brit will see around nine hours less of sunlight than in peak summer.
The drop in daylight, coupled with both the drop in temperature and the onset of the usual common cold season, can often be found to take a toll on our mental and physical wellbeing, leaving us feeling a little more dull than we’d like to be – which is why Holland & Barrett’s ‘Sunshine Booth’ will be popping up across UK high streets to brighten Brits’ winter wellness routines.
The brightly coloured Sunshine Booth has been crafted with expert lighting, using the lighting featured in SAD lamps.
A pop-up sunshine booth is landing in Manchester to combat winter blues / Credit: Pixnio
It’s designed to mimic effects of natural light to help customers feel relaxed and refreshed.
Landing inside Holland & Barrett’s store over at the Trafford Centre later this week, the retailer is inviting customers to pop in and spend up to 20 minutes inside the calming booth to ‘pause and recharge’.
Those looking to brighten their day can pop into Holland & Barrett at the Trafford Centre this Friday (7 November) to visit the Sunshine Booth, with no prior appointment or ticket required.
Not only that, but the first 10 customers who visit will receive a Holland & Barrett goody bag worth £50, packed with products to support winter wellness, boost your immune system, and provide you with additional energy.
Emily Sergeant -
29th January 2024 
