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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
“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
Trending
Greater Manchester’s spooky steam trains are returning this Halloween
Emily Sergeant
Spooky season is right around the corner, and one of Greater Manchester’s most-popular Halloween events is returning.
What’s Halloween without East Lancashire Railway‘s (ELR) eerie ghost trains at this point? Generally selling out each year, the heritage railway’s Halloween Ghost Trains always prove to be top of the Halloween bucket list for people looking for some ‘spooktacular fun’ once the scariest time of year rolls around.
And 2026 is expected to be no different… in fact, it’ll be even creepier than normal, because the scream train has had a spooky makeover.
You can expect flickering lights, eerie sounds, creepy surprises, and perhaps a very unwelcome visitor climbing aboard.
Those brave enough at lending the Monster Squad a helping hand at banishing ghosts and ghouls will be whisked away on a haunted steam engine through the atmospheric Greater Manchester countryside.
Before you join them though, you’ll need to prove you have what it takes by making it through the Halloween Walkthrough on the footbridge with a fair few jump scares.
Once you reach the platform, you’ll be greeted by Halloween favourites, Vampire Brian and Veronica the Witch, who’ll prepare you for your terrifying train trip with a song, a dance, and probably a scream or two.
Spooky steam train rides through Greater Manchester are returning this Halloween / Credit: ELR
As you take in the autumn sights and delights of the local countryside out the historic steam train’s windows on your journey, there’ll be lots of spooky entertainment and music along the way, and as always, screaming and singalongs are to be expected – and encouraged – as this is all part of the experience.
Families are also encouraged to ‘show off your spookiest fancy dress’ on the day too, and if you make it to the end, then a goody bag for every child ‘full of tricks and treats’ awaits.
The Halloween Ghost Trains are happening over an extended weekend in late October, running from Thursday 29 to Saturday 31 October.
Tickets are now on sale, starting from just £15 per person, and you can book here.
Featured Image – ELR
Trending
Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
Emily Sergeant -
14th October 2021 
