What's On

You can get FREE entry fees and special perks if you run the Greater Manchester Run 2023 for this local charity

Runners just need to commit to raising at least £125 for the We Love MCR Charity.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 2nd February 2023

Looking to challenge yourself in 2023? Fancy working towards a new fitness goal? Reckon you’re up for a 10K, or even a half marathon?

While a lot of people will have already made a start at tackling their New Year’s resolutions, if you’re really up for a test this year, and have been thinking that signing up for the 2023 Great Manchester Run might be a good way to go, then one of Manchester’s most iconic charities is offering an ideal incentive to get you going.

We Love MCR Charity is giving The Manc’s readers and followers an exclusive opportunity to get their entry fees for this year’s event for FREE, alongside some incredible extra perks, if they choose to commit to raising some worthy funds in its name.

The charity wants to help ambitious Mancunians achieve their goals.

If you’ve not heard of We Love MCR Charity before, it’s one of the city’s longest-standing charitable organisations and works with some of the region’s most vulnerable people and ambitious communities to help them write Manchester’s next chapter.

You can get FREE entry fees if you do the Greater Manchester Run 2023 for this local charity / Credit: We Love MCR Charity

The charity says it knows the problems that people within our city face all too well, but is keen to address them by “spreading opportunities” and “helping communities to build themselves up” through direct financial support – yet none of this would be possible without committed individuals taking on challenges to raise money.

This is why the charity is giving places worth £44 for the 10K and £51 for the half marathon at the 2023 Great Manchester Run to The Manc’s readers and followers free of charge.

On top of that, as anyone who’s ever taken part in or been to the Great Manchester Run before will know, access to toilets, secure bag storage, and refreshments for runners can involve some pretty lengthy queues, which is why those who sign up to run for We Love MCR Charity will get an exclusive VIP package for free too.

We Love MCR Charity is also offering VIP perks to runners / Credit: We Love MCR Charity

The VIP package includes pre-race and post-race access to the Town Hall Extension on St Peter’s Square, where the charity’s volunteers will provide a secure bag and coat drop-off point and give you access to toilets, as well as a free celebratory glass of fizz or hot drink.

Runners will also get a letter from the Lord Mayor of Manchester congratulating them on their efforts and thanking them for their fundraising.

We Love MCR Charity piloted this VIP offer back 2022, and Joshua Chang, who was part of the ‘Vimto Runners Team’ has been singing its praises – “It was well organised and there was a nice, warm welcome from all the We Love MCR Charity volunteers, which really added to the experience.”

The Manc’s readers and followers just need to commit to raising at least £125 / Credit: We Love MCR Charity

Up for it then?

To sign up, you’ll just need to commit to raising at least £125 for We Love MCR Charity through a JustGiving sponsorship page.

Read more:

To join ‘The Manc x We Love MCR’ team in the biggest race of the year, then all you need to do is email Ged at the We Love MCR Charity now to request your FREE VIP place – [email protected]  

Featured Image – We Love MCR Charity

What's On

Darts returns to Manchester as Premier League dates are confirmed for 2026

Danny Jones Danny Jones

The schedule for the 2026 Premier League Darts tour has been officially announced, with the PDC’s annual championship returning to Manchester once again.

PDC Premier League fixtures continue to grow in popularity both in TV figures and live match attendance, with a whole new generation of fans getting into ‘the arrows’.

Just as it has for decades now, league darts is coming back to Manchester city centre and the legendary AO Arena once again, with our date landing right in the middle of the season.

Booking a big night right in the middle of a crucial period in the competition? It sounds like 0161 is set to welcome another blockbuster night up at the oche.

Confirmed on Thursday, 11 September, next year’s PDC Premier League Darts campaign will get underway in February, spanning the course of four months and eight countries.

Of the European cities on the circuit, the tournament will be heading to Belgium for the very first time, as the AFAS Dome in Antwerp replaces Exeter.

Elsewhere on the continent, there are two other mainland evenings in Germany and the Netherlands, along with multiple Northern dates here in the UK, such as Liverpool, Leeds and Sheffield.

As for Manchester, we’ve been selected for round nine of 17 (including the finals), with the AO Arena set to welcome multiple favoured competitors from the North West, including 18-year-old phenomenon Luke Little from down the road in Warrington, as well as Stockport’s very own Nathan Aspinall.

It was an unforgettable experience for Aspinall last time around in his local event, as he finally managed to win a PDC Premier League night on home turf for the first time in his career.

‘Darts needs more Nathan Aspinalls’ – Stockport star praised after emotional hometown win
We were arguably just as emotional as he was.

Those hoping to enjoy a night of darts in front of a Manchester crowd on April 26, 2026, still have to be patient for now, as general admission is still a little way off.

However, if you are interested, you can sign up for the AO’s newsletter to find out more information and get yourself on the waiting list early.

Better, if you go straight through the PDC, you can throw your hat in the ring for the presale window right now and be first in line to grab tickets when they go live.

You can do so HERE and, until then, get your signs and fancy dress at the ready because we’ll be heading back to the ‘boring, boring tables’ soon enough.

See the 2026 PDC Premier League Darts schedule in full down below:

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Sandro Halank (via Wikimedia Commons)/Press shot (supplied via AO Arena)

What's On

Trafford Centre’s massive student night returns next month with up to 30% off on big brands

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Shopping at the Trafford Centre

Students can get themselves up to 30% off on food, activities, and loads of big-name brands at the Trafford Centre next month.

With thousands of new and returning students set to start arriving for the new academic year at Greater Manchester‘s universities over the next couple of weeks, one of the region’s biggest student nights will be making a long-awaited comeback for one night only next month, and there’ll be lots of exclusive offers and free entertainment to make the most of across the evening.

Taking over the Trafford Centre in early October, the popular one-off student night is happening in partnership with Student Shopping UK, and gives cash-strapped students the chance to shop a variety of incredible discounts all under one roof.

Just some of the big brands offering big discounts include 20% off at Levi’s, 20% off at Tommy Hilfiger, 20% off River Island, 20% off at All Saints, 25% off at Boux Avenue, and 15% off at both Hotel Chocolat, and Monica Vinader at Selfridges.

Rituals, Flying Tiger, New Look, and Office are just a couple of the other shops you can head to for some savings.

It’s not just retail brands you’ll be able to save some pennies on either, as many of the Trafford Centre’s restaurants and cafes will also be offering discounts and freebies on the night too, with 20% off at places like Wagamama and Barburrito, 25% off The Real Greek, and £5 pizzas and exclusive discounts at the new Franco Manca.

You can also tuck into cut-price foodie feasts at Yo Sushi, KFC, and Costa, while places like Gymshark, Boots, Paradise Island Adventure Golf, and Selfridges are some of the places doing giveaways, workshops, offering freebies and prizes, and more.

And, if all of that wasn’t exciting enough as it is, you can expect live music to entertain you whilst you shop – with DJ blasting tunes all night long.

Trafford Centre’s massive student night returns next month with up to 30% off on big brands / Credit: Trafford Centre

“Our annual Student Night is always hugely popular,” commented Simon Layton, who is the Centre Director at Trafford Centre.

“This year we’ve secured some amazing deals and exclusive savings from many of our stores and restaurants.

“With frequent tram services from Manchester city centre on Metrolink’s Trafford Park line, plus regular buses from all over the region, now’s your chance to experience the unique vibe of the Trafford Centre.”

Read more:

The Trafford Centre’s Student Night is happening on Thursday 2 October from 6-10pm, and students can now reserve themselves a spot by registering online here.

Featured Image – Trafford Centre

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