For many of us, the prospect of making it to our 100th birthday really does seem like a lifetime away, but for one Mancunian, this landmark age is only around corner.
Marjorie Burke is a resident at Newton Heath-based Averill House – a purpose-built care home that offers residential memory and nursing memory care for those living with dementia – and she is getting ready to celebrate her 100th birthday on 4th April.
She is described by those who work at the home as being “a big character”.
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Having lived most of her 99 years in and around the East Manchester area, Marjorie had proudly worked at both Martin’s Bakers & Sandwich Makers in Failsworth, and at Supported Living Facility, Malcom House in Newton Heath, before retiring and arriving at the Averill Street care home in July 2018.
As well as being a “much-loved” resident at Averill House, Marjorie also has two sons and a “very loving family” outside of the home.
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And it’s this love that has inspired her carers to mark Marjorie’s 100th year in a way she will never forget.
Averill House Care Home
To accompany the card she is set to receive from Queen Elizabeth II as she becomes a centurion, the home’s team of Wellbeing Coordinators – who are assisted by suggestions from the residents in organising a varied year-round programme of things to do – have asked the Greater Manchester public to help them surprise Marjorie by also sending her a birthday card.
They are hoping to collect 100 cards for her to open on her 100th birthday.
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Speaking on why the card appeal is so important to the team and why they are so keen to get everyone involved, Jodie Yates – Wellbeing Coordinator at Averill House – said: “All of our staff really want to make this a special occasion for Marjorie, as it’s not every day you turn 100.
“This is why we’re asking for 100 birthday cards – one for every year of her life in celebration of this milestone.
“She is amazing”.
Marjorie Burke / Averill House Care Home
With just over four weeks to go until the big day is finally here, Averill House is asking that all members of the public who wish to send a card, do so by 2nd April, so that they arrive in time for Marjorie to open on her birthday morning.
The cards can be addressed and sent to:
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Jodie Yates, Averill House Care Home, Averill Street, Newton Heath, Manchester, M40 1PF.
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You can find more information about Averill House Care Home here.
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You can win two VIP tickets to a Co-op Live show as part of a heartwarming Manc charity raffle
Danny Jones
Fancy bagging yourself the posh treatment at the biggest indoor gig and live entertainment venue in the city? Well, you can do just that by entering the latest Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity raffle, which is offering a pair of VIP tickets to a Co-op Live show.
All you have to do is simply do your bit for a crucial local cause.
It’s one that we’ve worked closely with in the past on many occasions: the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, which helps house rough sleepers across the region.
Teaming up with The 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness – which was created specifically to generate funds for this ongoing crisis – as well as an upcoming community social, all you have to do to be in with a chance is put your name down for a cheap raffle ticket.
Writing in the caption of the post, the Mayor’s Charity has revealed that “Cross Club Social and The Manchester 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness are teaming up to raffle off 2x VIP Co-op Live tickets to a show of your choosing.”
That’s right, not just any random show – you get to pick which one you fancy going along to in style.
With the 2026 edition of the annual fundraising relay event, on behalf of Greater Manchester’s homeless community, taking place this November (find out more on the GMMC website and keep up to date with us here at The Manc for the latest) they’re hoping to get the donations going nice and early.
For anyone unaware, the Cross Club Social, or ‘XCS’, has been going for a few years now; it brings together runners from all over the 10 boroughs for a big post-race party, all whilst raising money for charitable organisations.
DJs, karaoke, quizzing, three full rooms, an entire beer garden to themselves, and MUCH more. 👀
The next edition will be taking place this Friday, 19 June, over at the award-winning Fairfield Social Club, where an all-day party will run, pardon the pun, well into the night.
Better still, entrants into the raffle don’t have to wait long to find out if they’re a winner, as the lucky recipient is set to be announced the following Saturday (20 Jun) after the big shindig over on the XCS Instagram page.
The Mayor’s Charity team signed off by adding, “Good luck and together, we will end homelessness” – a mission that many Manc groups, especially, have been working so hard to make possible in recent times.
For instance, last year alone, the aforementioned 24 Hour Run, whose team will be in attendance and taking donations for at XCS 2026, generated a whopping £70k, and the total tally has now reached truly life-changing sums.
As for the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity raffle, you can grab a ticket HERE for just a fiver to secure your chance to go along to a VIP night at Co-op Live. Fingers crossed!
‘Powerful’ firearms found in Stockport suburb as police search for answers
Danny Jones
Concerning news coming out of Stockport after two “incredibly powerful and dangerous” firearms were found in the Brinnington area of the town.
The weapons have been secured by Greater Manchester Police (GMP), but the nature of their discovery has drummed up plenty of questions among local authorities.
Stumbled upon this past Friday, 12 June, officers in Stockport found both a handgun and, even more shockingly, a submachine gun in simple rubbish bags.
The high calibre and fire rate of the respective weapons, specifically, have understandably added to the level of worry among police and residents alike.
As per an official GMP release, an MP5 model SMG and a ‘Grand Power’ handgun were uncovered, although the exact location of the ordnance has not yet been disclosed.
Troubling stuff, to say the least.
However, at present, they believe the attempt to conceal and/or dispose of the weapons is likely a reaction to their ongoing efforts to disrupt criminal activity and remove dangerous weapons from the streets across the region.
Stopfordian sectors of the city-region are among many across the surrounding 10 boroughs, with Brinnington in particular seeing a more ramped-up level of searches.
Detective Inspector Mark Graham, leader of the SK Challenger Team, said: “We have done some fantastic work in recovering firearms in Greater Manchester – between April 2024 and April 2026 – GMP took 150 firearms off our streets.”
#Brinnington neighbourhood intensification operation sees multiple arrests and seizures
In the 2 weeks since our work began, we have secured 15 arrests for offences including possession with intent to supply, failing to appear at court, dangerous driving, & weapons offences. pic.twitter.com/zJS9QIYJTD
Nevertheless, he goes on to say that “Friday’s discovery has prevented potentially serious harm to those who work and live in the area”, adding in the full statement: “These types of weapons have no place on our streets and are incredibly powerful and dangerous.
“Our investigation is progressing, and we are following numerous lines of enquiry in relation to who these belong to and how they ended up where they did.”
As always, they are urging anyone with information about illegal firearms or suspicious activity in and around the Stockport region to contact police ASAP, either over the usual 101 number or by dialling 999 immediately in emergency situations.
If you would rather get in touch online, you can report potentially useful info via the live chat function on the GMP website, or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Emily Sergeant -
1st March 2021 
