Manchester-based food poverty relief charity Humans MCR is determined to not let “COVID cancel Christmas” with the launch of its 2020 Christmas Appeal.
Humans MCR – which is based on Crossley Street in Gorton – is a registered charity and foodbank that “envisions communities in which everyone has access to sufficient, nutritious food”.
With a mission to change lives in communities across Greater Manchester by providing access to food and education to build “a healthy, hunger-free future”, it analyses and responds to the root causes of food poverty, and works to give respect, health, dignity and hope to those who need it most through a suite of short and long-term solutions that tackle food insecurity faced by residents in our region.
Over the past year since the country was placed into lockdown amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Humans MCR has been focusing on altering and increasing its response through delivering free food parcels all around Greater Manchester to anyone who needs it.
Now, it’s once again turned the focus over to the festive season.
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After a successful Christmas Appeal in 2019, the mission this year is to “raise funds to support families in Manchester” – a target of £6,000 – for the provision of festive food for Christmas dinner and a gift for everyone to enjoy after what has been a turbulent time.
But your help is needed to deliver this.
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Announcing the 2020 Christmas Appeal in a post across social media yesterday, Humans MCR said: “We are launching our appeal to raise funds to support families in Manchester with the provision of items for Christmas dinner and a small gift for everyone in the home.
“So many families and individuals in our city are experiencing severe hardship because of the crisis, but we won’t let COVID cancel Christmas
“It’s our biggest appeal to date and we are looking to raise £6,000.
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“All donations we receive via our website until 17th December will go towards the appeal. We [also] welcome donations of wrapped or unwrapped gifts [and] they can be dropped off at our Gorton hub before 22nd December.
“Fresh vegetables can be donated on one day only – 22nd December (to retain freshness) – and can [also] be dropped off at our Gorton hub.
“Cash donations are always welcome via our website.
“We know this will make a huge difference to people in our communities and we will be working with our referral partners closer to the time to make sure we reach those who need it the most.”
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Are you able to lend a helping hand this Christmas?
You can find more information about the incredible work being carried out by Humans MCR, and make any donations / contributions that you wish to the 2020 appeal via its website here.
‘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 -
28th October 2020 
