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.
Manchester’s big wheel is returning to Exchange Square for the summer… sort of
Emily Sergeant
Manchester is set to reach new heights, as the big wheel that once stood proudly in the city centre is making a comeback this summer.
Well… sort of.
That’s because it’s not quite the same big wheel that many will remember from its glory days in locations like Piccadilly Gardens and Exchange Square throughout the 2000s, and more recently Albert Square during last year’s Manchester Christmas Markets – but it is a big wheel and it’s a big wheel that you’ll be able to hop on for a ride.
Celebrating the launch of its new Cloud Frappuccino blended drinks range, Starbucks’ Summer in the Clouds arrives in Exchange Square next Friday and Saturday (24 and 25 July), inviting people to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy panoramic views of the city below from a big Ferris wheel.
The two-day takeover will give customers the chance to unlock a ride on the big wheel with the purchase of any Grande or Venti iced drink from participating Manchester city centre Starbucks stores.
Both in participating stores – which in Manchester are Starbucks stores in the Arndale, City Tower Offices, on Market Street and on Fennel Street – and at the Ferris wheel itself in Exchange Square, you can expect complimentary Cloud Frappuccino-inspired candy floss, live music from DJ and presenter Ethan Porte, and a free photobooth with digital and printed photos.
Alongside the big wheel ride, there’ll also be the chance for members to win exclusive Starbucks merchandise across the two days too.
A limited number of additional ferris wheel ride tokens will also be available to win via the fairground-style Plinko game on site.
The new Starbucks Cloud Frappuccino blended drinks range includes a range of bespoke creations like the Strawberry Matcha Cloud Frappuccino, the Brown Sugar Cloud Frappuccino, and the Caramel Mocha Cloud Frappuccino.
With skyline views and summer sips, Starbucks says its Summer in the Clouds is set to be one of Manchester’s must-visit experiences this month.
Starbucks’ Summer in the Clouds arrives in Exchange Square next Friday 24 and Saturday 25 July.
Featured Image – Cédric Dhaenens (via Unsplash)
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Liam Fray says ‘yes’ to Courteeners supporting Oasis on tour amid rumoured 2027 dates
Danny Jones
Liam Fray has said that the Courteeners are ready to “answer the call” if/when it comes to supporting Oasis on their next big live tour, with rumours of dates for shows in 2027 ramping up.
The fellow Manc favourites were heavily suggested as potential support acts for the Live ’25 reunion gigs, but Cast and Richard Ashcroft were ultimately selected as the warm-ups for the world tour.
With that in mind, when asked if Courteeners would be ready to open up for Oasis on their still only hypothetical tour next year, Fray had a very quick answer:
Not to speak for the Middleton musician, but it’s a bit of a no-brainer, really.
As you can see, in a recent interview with Radio X host Johnny Vaughan promoting the indie rockers’ new single, ‘Plus One Forever’, the 41-year-old frontman made it clear that he and his bandmates would bite hands off if the other Liam and/or his brother Noel offered a slot to them.
The younger Gallagher brother definitely had plenty of fun teasing supports last time around, before making some fairly more obvious posts and then seemingly just announcing them on social media according to his own timeline.
LG does what he wants, after all.
As for the supposed ’12 nights at the Etihad Stadium’ reported recently, not to mention all the other sets across the country that would no doubt follow should they come to fruition, Fray could say little else other than simply “Yes” to the prospect.
Joking, “Well, it is from me – I don’t know if someone else has said no!”, there have been no other indications on this front, but it’s safe to say it’d be a huge booking for everyone involved and a HUGE crowd-pleaser; Liam looks to be working on one of his own, elsewhere, too…
The two lead singers have both graced the stage of the Emirates Old Trafford stadium at Lancashire County Cricket Club, as well as Heaton Park, respectively.
Liam noted that he was at Heaton Park himself for that unforgettable summer last year, and also praised Wigan’s very own Ashcroft for being “unbelievable” when he caught him at Wembley. Big shoes to fill. The question is, who would you like to see supporting Oasis on their possible tour dates in the future?
In the meantime, we’ll have to be satisfied with gearing up for the release of the highly-anticipated reunion documentary, with the title and a first trailer now revealed.
Emily Sergeant -
28th October 2020 
