With the festive season edging closer, Hits Radio has officially launched 2020’s Mission Christmas appeal and is inviting locals to buy one extra gift to help thousands of disadvantaged children in Greater Manchester.
Mission Christmas – the largest Christmas toy appeal in the UK – is an annual campaign run by Cash for Kids, supported by Bauer Radio’s regional stations – including Hits Radio Manchester – and has collectively raised over £20.9 million in 2019 through gifts and donations, which were distributed to more than one million disadvantaged children across the UK.
42,420 recipients of which were in the Greater Manchester area.
And in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Christmas is going to be tougher than ever this year for those in need.
The Trussell Trust has predicted that at least 670,000 extra people will become destitute in the last three months of the year, which is a level of poverty that leaves them unable to meet basic food, shelter or clothing needs, and with the increase in unemployment and reduction in working hours for many families, Christmas is simply a luxury they cannot afford.
ADVERTISEMENT
Some families are even having to make difficult decisions this Christmas between food/heating, and gifts.
This year’s Mission Christmas campaign aims to beat last year’s fundraising total and make sure as many children from Greater Manchester can be supported as possible, so in order to make this safe for everyone, Hits Radio and Cash for Kids has carried out an extensive review and risk assessment to enable members of the public to deliver a gifts whilst keeping staff, volunteers and beneficiaries safe.
ADVERTISEMENT
This means that there will be significantly reduced drop-off points, and reduced volunteers in Mission HQ’s across the country to accommodate necessary social distancing.
Speaking on the Mission Christmas 2020 campaign, Fleur East – Presenter at Hits Radio – said: “This year is going to be particularly tough for many families across the UK. Mission Christmas is a brilliant way for people to act in the true spirit of the season and give a little something to lift the spirits of disadvantaged young people who really do deserve it.
“Last year our listeners really demonstrated their generosity and it was truly amazing what we achieved.
ADVERTISEMENT
“This year, there have been so many examples of the community pulling together to support everyone and I know that it will be even better than ever before.”
Hits Radio / Cash for KidsHits Radio / Cash for Kids
Taking part in the Mission Christmas appeal this year is simple.
All you need to do is buy one extra gift before 18th December and hand it in to one of the Mission Christmas collection points, or alternatively, you can text ‘HITS’ to 70910 to donate £10 and Hits Radio / Cash for Kids will buy a gift on your behalf.
Donations can be made at any branch of Wickes, selected B&M stores, and a small selection of essential retailers who can continue to operate safely within the current lockdown restrictions.
For further details – including information on how to get involved, gift ideas for different age groups, and how to make a donation – visit the Hits Radio Manchester website here.
Trending
The K’s kick off Manchester’s BRITs Week celebrations early with jam-packed intimate gig
The Manc
If you were ‘Hoping Maybe’ to see The K’s at some point this year, this is your sign do it, as the rising indie band did not let the occasion of playing an intimate BRITs-backed gig get to them – they were buoyed by it.
Beloved city centre venue Gorilla was overflowing for The K’s last night, hosting an unreal small-cap set as part of Brits Week ‘26 for a very important cause: War Child.
Perfectly teed up by fellow nearby band, Florentenes from Bolton, The K’s took to a familiar stage many years on from their debut, and instantly had the crowd ready and raring for an hour of pure tunes and some very, very sweaty brows.
Earlestown’s finest certainly carried that Northern charm and energy throughout the whole night; their indie and almost nostalgic lyrical storytelling has you moshing one minute, whilst grasping your mate and ascending into live music heaven the next. There really aren’t many feelings like it.
Sobbing and swaying in the vast ocean of shoulders whilst screaming the lyrics to ‘Helen. Oh I’, I questioned how any compliment will ever compare to launching “thousand ships every time” from a kiss.
The K’s were yearning before Wuthering Heights made it vogue (again).
Musically, the band were seamless and a well-oiled machine, and so were the audience as they wholeheartedly echoed every lyric back at the lads and bounced it off the walls.
The K’s have come a long way since their first visit to Gorilla (Credit: Lucy Wagstaffe)
Every primary school assembly proudly led us to this moment, and it did not disappoint, displaying their increasingly seasoned and successful career, which I can only imagine is going to go from strength to strength this year.
I don’t think we even one more fan could have squeezed one more passionate fan into Gorilla on the night; it was heaving with people and pride; the sweat dripping down the walls indicated things are big for these local lads, and we couldn’t be prouder.
They are another prime example of shining a deserving light on Northern artists! And having the 2026 BRIT Awards up here with us is a testament to that.
Featured Images — Lucy Wagstaffe (supplied via War Child UK)
Trending
Microdot exhibit for BRITs 2026: the artwork of Oasis, Verve and more up in Manchester Piccadilly
Danny Jones
If you’ve passed through Manchester Piccadilly of late, you might have noticed two things: one, it’s really quiet, and two, there’s loads of cool Britpop merch and memorabilia on display, including original Oasis, The Verve, Inspiral Carpets art and more – all courtesy of Microdot.
Set up as part of the city’s own BRITs celebrations, along with a raft of other nationwide festivities, as the annual music award ceremony prepares to make its Manc debut at the Co-op Live this month, the showcase features special edition frames and more, all pride of place in the middle of the train station.
This collection, simply entitled ‘A Microdot Design’, is all done by the legendary Brian Cannon, the graphic designer and art director behind so much recognisable visual material within the genre.
We recently had the honour of speaking to the man himself in person ahead of Piccadilly’s temporary closure; you can see our interview with him right here:
The Wigan-born artist and visionary didn’t just make promotional materials for some of the biggest bands in the 1990s; he’s responsible for what has gone on to become some of the most familiar iconography in British music history.
With this pop-up exhibit available for a limited time only, we strongly urge you to go along and, for once, take your time rather than rushing around the station as you peruse the boards placed right near the main entrance.
Charting his work from circa 1990 up until now, it’s crazy to see just how many of Brian and Microdot’s fingerprints are all over so many different bands and artists.
From native names like Oasis, The Verve and the Inspirals, as mentioned, as well as the likes of Cast, Super Furry Animals, Suede and Ash, plus so many more, this guy has been nothing short of prolific over the past few decades.
Audio North took a little tour of the King Street South unit last year in the lead-up to Oasis Live ’25 reunion world tour, and we felt like kids in a Britpop sweetshop.
While this site has sadly since closed, shutting up shop back in July, Brian’s mini, modest, but nevertheless magic Microdot Boutique up in the Lake District is still standing.
Located in the popular North West town and tourist attraction, Kendal, it’s worth a trip there to see more of his portfolio alone.
Currently on display at Manchester Piccadilly ahead of the full 2026 BRITs Week and shindig at Co-op Live, it’s one of the best completely free things you can do in town at the moment – but the exhibition finishes on Sunday, 1 March, so make sure you don’t miss it.
Speaking of the BRIT Awards, if you’re wondering what else is on as 0161 gets ready welcome them for their two-year stint (at least), look no further…
Emily Sergeant -
24th November 2020 
