The Night of Neon family-friendly charity walk is making its return to light up Salford Quays this February to raise money for The Christienext month.
Always a popular event in the calendar, over 600 enthusiastic participants are set to take to the Quays to have fun whilst raising money for The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, supporting the thousands of patients who are treated for cancer at The Christie Hospital in Withington.
Perfect for all ages and abilities to get down and support a great cause, the only requirement (this is a big one) is you have to be glowing! That means flaunting your brightest attire, accessories, and neon costumes – from legwarmers to tutus – make them fluorescent.
This luminescent fundraiser is set to transform MediaCityUK once again on Saturday, 3 February. The event will also feature pre-walk entertainment, including a six-piece roaming band, face painting, glitter artists and more.
Credit: Lindsey Farthing (via The Christie)
The festivities kick off at 6.30pm and will be hosted by XS Manchester radio presenter, Jim Salveson.
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Those taking part will head over to The Lowry Plaza outside The Lowry Theatre and the newly revamped Quayside shopping centre and will have an hour to prepare before the walk commences at 7.30pm.
Once you cross the finish line, each walker will receive a free neon t-shirt, glow wristband, and a Night of Neon finishers medal.
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One of those taking part this year is 48-year-old Lynsey Fraser Jones from Prestwich, who is supporting a cause that has affected her and her family so greatly.
Young Lysney and Iain.Best mates.Iain holding nephew Nico.Credit: Supplied
Her husband Antony Jones and their two sons Nico (11) and Leo (14) will also be walking in aid of Lynsey’s older brother Iain Fraser who died in 2010 aged 36, following an aggressive brain tumour.
“On 4 February 2024, Iain would have been 50 years old – which is also World Cancer Day – so it seems fitting to take part in a fundraising event for the Christie Charity on that same weekend,” explained Lynsey.
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“The Night of Neon seems the right place to celebrate what he meant and continues to mean to me. I can’t tell you how much I miss him.
“A sibling sits in a completely different space in your life to anyone else, they’ve known you forever, from a totally different perspective to your parents, they are the only person who knows exactly where you’ve come from.”
Lysney, Antony and their kids will be proudly walking this year.
A little bit of help goes a long way towards the incredible work The Christie Charity continues to do, providing enhanced services over and above what the NHS can fund.
Fundraisers like The Night of Neon are vital to support existing and new projects such as a new cancer centre in Macclesfield which opened in 2021 and a new world-class transformational research facility which opened in 2023.
In the last year, The Christie helped raise £23 million through over 50,000 supporters with 88p in every pound raised going directly to the patients, ensuring the money donated is spent where patients need it most.
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You can find out how you can take part in The Night of Neon on 3 February HERE; or to simply donate directly to a cause close to all of our hearts here in Greater Manchester, you can do your bit HERE.
Various photos of The Christie charity’s night of neon event. Photographs and consent arranged by Lindsey Farthing in the charity.Various photos of The Christie charity’s night of neon event. Photographs and consent arranged by Lindsey Farthing in the charity.
An unmissable Whitney Houston tribute event is returning to Greater Manchester
Thomas Melia
A much-adored and cherished Whitney Houston tribute show is returning to Greater Manchester later this year for not one but two different shows, each channelling the charisma and energy of the pop legend.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the phenomenal theatre production, ‘Queen of the Night’, the show is visiting a multitude of stages and venues all across the UK.
0161 had to receive at least one date on this tour, partly due to being the music capital of the North and also due to the fact that this is a city many fans of the 80s diva will forever hold close to their hearts.
Houston played her final ever concert performance of her career here in this very city back in 2010, taking up residence in AO Arena for two nights of world-renowned ballads and mesmerising live vocals.
This tribute show is set to include some of the diva’s biggest and much-loved hits like ‘I Will Always Love You’, ‘How Will I Know’ and ‘The Greatest Love of All’, the audience is sure to be singing along.
Adenike Adewale is taking on the role of the American R’n’B Pop singer and is no stranger to the stage or TV, featuring on The Voice in 2021 where she sang a Whitney classic, making it to the semi-finals.
Fast forward to 1 June and the tour returns to Greater Manchester and legendary city centre space, Bridgewater Hall: an incredible room more than fit for renditions of the powerhouse vocalist.
A pair of stunning venues, two stunning shows and one incomparable voice.
It’s not only our lovely region the Queen of the Night experience will be visiting; our friends over at The Hoot have plenty of nearby opportunities to sing along too, with Yorkshire dates in Hull, Halifax, Harrogate and Bradford to name a few.
I’m definitely saving all my love for when this show visits us later this year in March, and after I buy out the front row for all my friends I’ll certainly relate to the smash 1993 single ‘I Have Nothing’.
Tickets are on sale already now – you can grab yours HERE.
Charlotte Dawson will be handing out compliments and big prizes in Manchester to brighten Blue Monday
Daisy Jackson
TV star Charlotte Dawson will be cheering up Blue Monday in Manchester, dishing out compliments to strangers and awarding some big prizes too.
The actress, who is the daughter of the legendary late Les Dawson, will be bringing her signature sunny energy to Printworks on Monday 20 January.
Otherwise known as Blue Monday, it’s believed that the third Monday in January is the most depressing day of the year – so she’s here to nip that in the bud.
Between 1pm and 3pm on the huge gaming screen inside Printworks – part of its £21m transformation that included adding a huge digital ceiling – Charlotte Dawson will be spreading joy and laughter.
She’ll be live streaming straight to passers-by, spreading smiles and dishing out compliments.
Charlotte will also be treating visitors to some amazing prizes from Printworks’ collection of bars, restaurants and leisure venues.
These prizes will include free brunch for four at Walkabout, gaming sessions at Bierkeller, or family cinema tickets with Ice Blasts at VUE. Other prizes include Nando’s vouchers, a drink and activity for two at the new Trax Social, and much more.
And the top prize will be a luxury overnight stay for two at Hotel Indigo, just across the road in the very heart of Manchester.
Charlotte Dawson will take part in Blue Monday at Printworks, Manchester
There’ll even be free coffee vouchers for Todd St Cafe on offer to brighten your Blue Monday.
Kristian Brennan, Marketing Manager at Printworks, said: “We couldn’t be more excited to have Charlotte at Printworks this Blue Monday.
“As a true Mancunian icon, her vibrant personality is exactly what we need to brighten up the most depressing day of the year and we know she’ll bring plenty of laughs and smiles to everyone who stops by.
“What makes this event truly unique is the opportunity for the public to chat with Charlotte under Europe’s largest digital ceiling, which will showcase new mood-boosting content.
“It’s an innovative and exciting way for people to connect, and we can’t wait to see families and friends come together to create joyful memories in this truly unique setting!”
Harry Quick -
17th January 2024 
