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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
Needpix
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
“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.”
___
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
Family-run Greater Manchester business calls out customers for punching cakes
Thomas Melia
A well-known independent Greater Manchester business has taken to social media to call out customers who were caught on CCTV punching their cakes.
Known for everything from cakes and pastries to hot baked goods and custom chocolate designs, Slattery’s in Whitefield has been serving up their gorgeous cake and chocolate creations for over 50 years, all while keeping the business family-run.
Unfortunately, the reason they’re receiving lots of attention at the minute is due to two customers resorting to violence on their pre-packaged sweet-treat products.
The social media account for this Greater Manchester chocolatier has uploaded two images which show the outcome of the fatal blows which struck two of their Victoria Sponge cakes.
Although this punch may have cost them the price of two of their delicious traybakes, later on in the post, Slattery’s issues a big thanks to “All the wonderful families who’ve visited so far this summer.”
“We know cake can be exciting, but a gentle reminder that little bakers should remain under adult supervision at all times – Thank you.”
This third-generation family-run “chocolate wonderland” has brought a smile to many locals’ and tourists’ faces alike with their wide variety of unique-shaped chocolate bars, lollies, grab bags and more.
All throughout 2021, Slattery’s were serving up their moreish Slattery’s Chocolate Lockdown Platters consisting of shortbread, brownies, fudge, pretzels, marshmallows and Oreos, helping Mancs continue to get our sugary fix even during one of the country’s toughest times.
Just look at them – they do the lord’s work:
Slattery’s chocolate shop and bakery has called out customers on social media for punching their pre-packaged cakes / Credit: The Manc Group
As well as attracting visitors with its grand three-storey bakery and chocolate shop, Slattery’s also has its very own restaurant, Mason’s Dining Room, where people flock to attempt the ‘Chocolate Challenge’.
To win, two chocoholics must team up to finish an American-style chocolate fudge cake with chocolate ice cream, a portion of fresh cream and two chocolate pots filled with liquid chocolate sauce – oh and two delicious hot chocolate drinks too.
Any sweet tooth successor will bag themselves one of Slattery’s chocolate medals and a box of handmade chocolates too – in case you needed chocolate anymore.
Lastly, anyone after supporting this Greater Manchester sweet-treat provider can find the chocolatier and cake makers on 197 Bury New Road in Whitefield or via Slattery’s official website HERE.
Featured Images – The Manc Group/Slattery’s (via Instagram)
Trending
Plans to build tower next to Manchester’s historic Britons Protection pub scrapped
Danny Jones
Punters, rejoice: plans to build a large apartment tower next to Manchester’s Britons Protection pub have reportedly been scrapped after a long, drawn-out process and widespread protests.
What a relief.
One of the city’s oldest boozers, the Britons Protection was due to be dwarfed by a large development reaching 26 storeys tall, which not only would have encroached on the cultural landmark and storied watering hole, but also blocked out its popular beer garden to the rear.
We’ve seen a similar loss of outdoor drinking space with the recent St Michael’s development, which has essentially removed the equally historic Sir Ralph Abercromby pub – though it is at least getting a refurb – but in truth, the ‘Protect the Protection’ fight has been going on much longer.
As per a notice published on Manchester City Council’s website this week, it now appears that the plans for 72 new flats have been cancelled, with developers Arrowsmith Management having officially withdrawn their application.
Run by Bahraini businessman Mohamed Abbas Haji, the company is now said to be reassessing its options for the ‘Apex Tower’ proposals.
Speaking to the BBC, Mark Brennan – who took over the pub back in January 2025 – said: “I’m quite happy to be honest, a lot of people say the pub might be busier with more people about, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to people coming in here.”
“It would have looked horrendous… It’s Grade II-listed, so the pub should always be here. It wouldn’t have been a good look, having a big ugly building on top of our building.”
Countless Mancunians have echoed the sentiment over the past few years, with appeals dating back to post-pandemic and a big awareness push in 2021.
Standing for more than two centuries and holding countless awards, it was never going to go quietly.
It also happens to be quite comfortably on our list of the cosiest pubs in Manchester and has been since day dot.
Anyone who’s been in will know the sense of a warm welcome the place always puts out, and we’re overjoyed to hear that years of petitions and campaigning to save it have paid off.
These stories don’t always end with the right outcome (not often enough, anyway), so we’ll definitely be raising a glass to the Britons Protected this weekend.
Unfortunately, we do still have some other sad news from the hospitality sector, as our oldest Manc publican has passed away at a fellow favourite pub.
Emily Sergeant -
28th October 2020 
