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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Salford City FC have been bought out by a new consortium
Danny Jones
Another era beckons for Salford City as a buyout of the Greater Manchester football club by a new consortiumhas been announced.
Well, sort of.
Salford City FC were famously the subject of a joint takeover by Singaporean businessman Peter Lim and members of Manchester United’s Class of ’92 over a decade ago, and now 11 years on from that last milestone moment in their history, the local side has a new administration once again.
It is a fresh chapter for the club, but supporters will be glad to hear that there will also be some continuity and key throughline of consistency among some of those at the top.
Salford City announces that the Club has been acquired by a new ownership group led by David Beckham and Gary Neville, and includes US-based businessman Declan Kelly and Lord Mervyn Davies who will both serve as new Co-Chairs of the Club’s board.
Led by Man United legends Gary Neville and David Beckham, who have been involved with Salford since 2014, the new nine-member consortium consists of the Dream Sports Group – a leading sports technology company based in India – along with a number of other key figures.
One of those is Lord Mervyn Davies, a former Labour MP and Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Small Business, who still serves as a trade envoy between the UK and Sri Lanka.
Another is Irish-American entrepreneur Declan Kelly, who is Chairman and CEO of The Consello Group, a global advisory and investing firm.
While the previous co-owners and fellow Class of ’92 United graduates are no longer shareholders at Moor Lane, it is said they will still play important roles at the club.
As the official statement reads, “The acquisition includes a commitment by the new shareholders to invest significantly in the Club, the team and its facilities”, meaning there will funds will likely be sweet aside not only for some healthy transfer business but more updates to the Peninsula Stadium.
Commenting on the announcement, Neville said: “I’m passionate about Salford City. This is a unique partnership with a diverse range of minds and expertise, held together by a love of football.
“Football will come first, however, it’s critical that we drive the Club towards sustainability in the next 4-5 years. I can’t wait for the next part of this journey.”
Meanwhile, Beckham went on to add in the excitable Instagram post seen above: “Salford played such an important role in my life growing up… It’s where I trained with United alongside my best mates every day, it’s where I bought my first house and where me and Victoria lived.
“I’m so proud to be part of a new ownership group alongside my mate [Neville] as we begin the next chapter of Salford’s journey. Football is at the heart of this community and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the Ammies.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær says just three players have spoken to him since leaving Manchester United
Danny Jones
Club legend and ex-Manchester United player turned manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, has revealed that just three of his former players have been in touch since leaving Old Trafford.
Solskjær was sacked from the role as Man United head coach back in November 2021 after having been given the job permanently following an impressive winning run as interim manager.
The practically perfect start back at the helm of the club – where he starred as the ‘super sub’ during his playing days – was followed by a big slump, and the final decision was ultimately made in the wake of a 4-1 loss to Watford.
However, the ‘Baby-Faced Assassin’s’ popularity among the players and the fans alike was never in question, so it’s come as somewhat of a surprise to many fans that Solskjær has said only a specific trio of United players have got in touch with him since his dream job came to an end.
At least two of the names read out might not surprise fans, as not only was then-club captain Harry Maguire one of his first statement signings, but so was Bruno Fernandes, who now has the armband, and both have remained key players and leadership figures pretty much ever since.
Speaking to BBC Sport on the senior duo, Ole said, “For me, Harry has always been a leader and a fighter”, and never had any doubts about him deputising for him on the pitch, before going on to label both the centre-back and Bruno as “top human beings.”
As for the third, although Victor Lindelöf looks set to leave the club this summer, he’s actually been a long-serving squad member, having joined back in 2017 and been a seemingly popular figure around the dressing room, even if injury problems have sometimes hampered his minutes.
He also went on to discuss other matters regarding the club, including confessing that it’s “hard to watch” United amidst their present struggles, both under previous manager Erik ten Hag and now Ruben Amorim – even with a potential Europa League trophy consolation on the cards.
The retired striker also stated that he found the decision to let midfielder Scott McTominay go more than surprising, especially given the incredible performances he’s put on display since moving to Serie A.
Emily Sergeant -
14th October 2021 
