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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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
Council announces return of FREE firework displays in Manchester parks
Emily Sergeant
The skies over Manchester will light up once again, as free firework displays are set to return to several of the city’s parks.
You may remember that major fireworks events throughout the city had been paused following the COVID-19 pandemic, due to funding challenges, with Manchester City Council choosing to invest in a range of other community-focused events across throughout the autumn season instead, rather than one-off firework celebrations.
But now, once this November rolls around, all of that is set to change.
That’s because, on Saturday 7 November, free fireworks events will return to Heaton Park, Wythenshawe Park, and Platt Fields Park.
First up, there will be a reduced-noise, low-impact display at 5pm for families and SEND audiences, and a main fireworks display then to follow a little later at 8pm.
The Council has announced the return of free firework displays in Manchester parks / Credit: Unsplash
Each of the three parks will host lantern making workshops in the weeks leading up to the events too, with family-friendly lantern parades taking place ahead of the 8pm firework shows.
The Council says that the return of the free fireworks events reflects residents’ recent feedback about what they want to see in their community and how they want funding to be distributed.
“It’s a chance, at the start of the shorter days and beginning of the dark winter months, to come together and resume a much-loved annual tradition as well as enjoying an evening of safe entertainment and spectacular fireworks displays,” Manchester City Council said in a statement.
Councillor Basat Sheikh, who is the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, added: “We are delighted to announce and welcome the return of our much-loved fireworks celebrations.
It’s the first time they’ve returned since the COVID-19 pandemic / Credit: Elisha Terada (via Unsplash)
“Our parks should be shared spaces that create opportunities for Manchester people to gather, which is why bringing back the fireworks displays was top of our agenda. And we also recognise the importance of community which is why we will also continue to invest in a wide range of activities in our parks throughout the year.
“The return of these events is a wonderful opportunity for families and communities to create lasting memories and enjoy the long-standing tradition of fireworks in our parks in a safe way.”
Clubgoers can expect £4 double and mixer drinks as well as £2 shots and not one, but three rooms of music setting totally different vibes.
The basement is raver-ready with disco-tech and house to soundtrack your evening, the middle room has R&B and slow jams covered, while the top floor takes care of ‘Everything you pretend not to like’.
Oops! also runs in further Northern cities and receives a great reception, hosting nights every Friday in Newcastle and a previous stint in Liverpool too.
This club night company couldn’t contain their excitement revealing in a social media post: “Joshua Brooks is second to none when it comes to sound, production and its deep rooted history in the scene.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd February 2023 
