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.
Little Mancs can become pilots as Manchester Airport’s Flight Academy returns over half term
Emily Sergeant
Little Mancs can try their hand at becoming a pilot this half term, as the popular Flight Academy returns to Manchester Airport.
After proving to be massively popular with families during plenty of school holidays in recent years, the Flight Academy programme is back at Runway Visitor Park next week, just in time for February half term across Greater Manchester.
During 90-minute sessions, curious kids will get the chance to learn all about the different job roles that help keep Manchester‘s airport in action throughout the year.
The first part of the session takes place aboard a retired DC10 airliner, so kids can sit in the cockpit and find out about everything from the cabin crew’s role, to what the the ground operators get up to, and so much more.
Manchester’s popular Flight Academy for kids is returning over half term / Credit: Runway Visitor Park
They’ll even get to dress the part, and “take control” of the flight deck too by sitting up front in the captain’s coveted seat.
And if all of that wan’t fun enough as it is, they’ll then get to head outside to have a look at Manchester Airport‘s runways, watch the planes taking off and landing, and get to see some of the various jobs they’ve just learnt about in action.
After the session, families will then be free to make the most of all the rest of the impressive facilities on offer at Runway Visitor Park.
With stunning views over the nearby airfield, some of the unique activities on offer at the popular Greater Manchester-based tourist attraction include watching aircraft, such as the giant A380, coming and going at close quarters, taking in a tour of the Park’s retired airliners – including the iconic Concorde – and stopping off at the giant play area and on-site café.
Flight Academy at Runway Visitor Park will be running on selected weekday and weekend dates from Wednesday 19 – Saturday 22 February, with sessions split into two age groups – one for children aged four-seven years, and another for those aged eight-12.
Tickets cost just £14 for one child with an accompanying adult, and you can find out more and book your place here.
Featured Image – Manchester Airport
What's On
Chester Zoo is giving away more than 30,000 FREE tickets to children
Emily Sergeant
Chester Zoo is giving away thousands of tickets to local schools to help inspire a new generation of young conservationists.
The UK’s largest charity zoo is on a mission to help nature to “survive and thrive”.
And so, in a bid to do just that, has announced that it will once again be handing out tens of thousands of tickets to schoolchildren for completely free of charge, so that they can explore the zoo up close and learn all about the inspiring work the conservation charity does.
Chester Zoo‘s free ticket scheme has been running since 2017, and has already seen more than 175,000 children get to experience all the wonders the zoo has to offer.
We’re giving away 32,750 FREE tickets to the zoo! 🚨
Schools, nurseries, and colleges across the UK – this is your chance to inspire future conservationists and ignite a passion for helping wildlife thrive! 🌍💚
With the hopes of empowering as many youngsters as possible, and sparking their passion for saving species once again, the zoo has now opened the scheme back up for the 2025/26 season – with a whopping 33,000 tickets available for schools, nurseries, and colleges to claim.
Those who secure tickets will have the opportunity to visit the zoo between this November and February 2026.
Applications are open to any school in the UK that hasn’t already benefitted from the scheme within the last four academic years, while home educators are also eligible to apply as a group through a Home Educators’ Network.
Chester Zoo is giving away more than 30,000 free tickets to children this year / Credit: Chester Zoo
“We’re offering thousands of children the opportunity to experience the wonders of the natural world firsthand at the zoo,” commented Charlotte Smith, who is the Director of Conservation Education and Engagement at Chester Zoo.
“Young people are more concerned than ever about nature decline and climate change, and by working closely with schools across the UK, we can provide them with the skills, knowledge and inspiration to make a real positive difference.”
She added that “every child has the potential to be a future conservationist”.
Places are limited each day to ensure everyone can enjoy their zoo visit – with priority given to schools who have not benefitted from the scheme before.
You can find out more and apply for free tickets here.
Harry Quick -
17th January 2024 
