One of Manchester’s best-known charities made history last night, with what was the first – and probably the last – firewalk on St Peter’s Square.
It’s been in the works for quite some time now, with the “brave souls” who signed-up being put through their paces to train for the occasion, but We Love MCR Charity‘s unique Manchester Firewalk Challengefinally happened in the heart of the city centre yesterday.
50 fearless firewalkers raised over £15,500 and counting for the iconic Mancunian charity by walking over 700-degree hot coals.
Against a backdrop of Manchester’s Central Library and with a massive crowd cheering them on, each of the participants conquered their fears and completed what they previously thought was impossible.
Alongside those keen fundraisers who rose to the challenge for a very worthy cause, some familiar faces also braved the coals – including Deputy Lord Mayor of Manchester Cllr Donna Ludford, and influencer and TV personality Rosie Williams, who took part as an Ambassador for the Charity.
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The Lord Mayor of Manchester and Chair of Trustees for the Charity Councillor Tommy Judge also got to oversee the drama of the night, and give the walkers a much-needed pep talk.
The brave walkers then undertook training from 30+ year firewalking veterans Time4Change.
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The Manchester Firewalk Challengefinally happened in the heart of the city centre yesterday / Credit: We Love MCR Charity50 fearless firewalkers raised over £15,500 and counting / Credit: We Love MCR Charity
“This was our first fundraising event in two years, and what a way to return,” said Ged Carter, Head of We Love MCR Charity.
“Congratulations to all walkers for showing incredible confidence on the coals, and exemplary fundraising by raising over £15,000 which will go directly to our work supporting Manchester’s fantastic communities and ambitious young people.”
We Love MCR Charity said that fundraising events like this are vital for its ongoing mission of supporting the city, especially after it distributed nearly £1 million last year through its COVID-19 Community Response Fund to over 300 community groups and charities, and touched the lives of over 50,000 Mancunians.
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“That was an incredible buzz,” said Rosie Williams, We Love MCR Charity’s Ambassador.
“I overcame my fears to do something which sounds impossible, for a brilliant cause [and] I can’t wait to hear what We Love MCR’s next challenge will be in 2022.”
“This was our first fundraising event in two years, and what a way to return.” / Credit: We Love MCR Charity
We Love MCR Charity’s is currently supporting the people of this amazing city both through the Stronger Communities Fund– which awards grants to Manchester groups looking to improve community wellbeing – and also through its unique Manchester’s Rising Stars Fund, which was launched this year to overcome financial barriers to success faced by young Mancunians.
Find more about fundraising for We Love MCR Charity in 2021 here.
Featured Image – We Love MCR Charity
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‘Hairy men’ needed to play soldiers in returning major fantasy TV series
Thomas Melia
A huge TV series has issued an urgent casting call for, very specifically, ‘hairy men’ to play soldiers.
The exact show hasn’t been named in the casting call, but it’s definitely a major returning fantasy, and is reportedly House of the Dragon, the hit Game of Thrones spin-off.
This big on demand show is set to start filming in just two months’ time, meaning anyone considering shouldn’t wait to apply.
There are a list of key characteristics candidates should have if hoping for this role, including a great work ethic and a professional attitude, something all Mancs like to think we have.
The job description states that no prior acting experience is required, one of the only other things you need to be good at is waking up early (well that’s me out).
Most importantly, headhunters are looking for individuals to take on that have one big factor in common… lots of hair.
On the official website where you can submit your headshots and photos, you will find a mood board filled with ranging hairstyles that fit the desired look the show is going for.
Just one example of a long-haired man who fits the criteria for the returning series.Another similar hair style choice to the guide from the casting call.Credit via Unsplash
Most of the pictures on the site range from long curly locks to big bushy beards – it’s a shame Santa will be back in the North Pole by now.
All candidates must have grown-out hair, ‘overgrown scruff to longer beards’, this means no short, back and sides, or any ‘modern fades’ as stated by the casting team.
If the rumours are true and this turns out to be a shoot for House Of The Dragon, it would be great to see even more Northern talent feature in this show.
It wasn’t too long ago that fans and Mancs alike realised that actor Olivia Cooke, who plays Lady Alicent Hightower, was a local lass herself, born not too far away in Oldham.
One final and important note is that anyone who is likely to apply must make sure they’re 18+ and have a right to work in the UK.
Filming will take place across North Wales and the South East from March onwards, with rate of pay roughly £140-£300+ per day (depending on hours worked).
To apply for a chance to feature in the returning major fantasy series, you can do so by visiting the site HERE.
Greater Manchester set to be battered by ‘impactful’ heavy rain and wind this week
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester is set to be battered by some heavy rain and wind this week, according to the Met Office.
While things have seemed surprisingly more settled for the time of year over the last week or so, with clearer skies and chilly winter mornings being fairly commonplace, all that will change very soon, as the Met Office has forecasted that the UK is set to be battered by some ‘impactful’ heavy rain and strong winds as the week goes on.
Low pressure systems will bring a more ‘unsettled’ spell of weather, with a severe weather warning for wind issued for certain parts of the UK.
Today is expected to be filled with grey skies and light rain here in Greater Manchester, with cloud covering much of the rest of the country, and other outbreaks of rain elsewhere, whereas on Wednesday, the focus of rain will shift to southern England instead.
The weather looks set to turn more unsettled during the forthcoming week 🌧️ 🌬️
Thursday is where it’s set to take the biggest downturn though, as a front bringing heavy rain moves eastwards through the day, and it’s us here in North West England that are expected to see the highest accumulations too, with 20-30mm could falling over the hills, and some hill snow even possible over the Scottish mountains too.
A deep area of low pressure will also have ‘deepened rapidly’ by Thursday, bringing ‘strengthening winds’ to western parts of the UK along with it overnight, followed by more heavy rainfall.
Greater Manchester is set to be battered by ‘impactful’ heavy rain and wind this week / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“A very deep area of low pressure will bring a very unsettled, potentially disruptive, spell of weather to the UK through Friday and into Saturday,” explained Chris Almond, who is the Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist.
“Winds will begin to strengthen on Thursday night, with the peak gusts forecast through Friday in Northern Ireland and western Scotland. The wind will also be accompanied by heavy rain bringing some unpleasant conditions to end the week.
“We have issued a Yellow weather warning for wind, and with several days before the impactful weather, the forecast details are likely to be fine-tuned during the week, so stay tuned to your local forecast and keep up to date with Met Office warnings.”
Emily Sergeant -
14th October 2021 
