Pat Hibbert, 70, from Oldham, completed a 350-mile fundraising challenge by walking five miles daily for 70 days, finishing on her 70th birthday. She raised £1,500 for charity after her son-in-law Mike survived a life-threatening crash near his children's school in Dukinfield in October 2024. Mike suffered multiple broken bones, collapsed lungs, and other injuries, but was saved by North West Air Ambulance paramedics who provided critical care at the scene before he was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary. The funds were split between the North West Air Ambulance Charity (£1,000) and Manchester Royal Infirmary (£500). On her final walk, 15 family members joined her from across the UK. Inspired by his mother-in-law's challenge, Mike is now training to run the Manchester Marathon to raise further funds for the air ambulance charity.
Rebecca Shaw, 36, from Royton, died of stage four cervical cancer in October 2025, leaving husband Graham and four children. Her friends and family are raising £10,000 through a 24-hour running and workout challenge on April 4, 2026, at HyFit HQ gym in Diggle, to send the family on her dream holiday to Tenerife and cover living costs. Organiser Matthew Lees runs the annual 'Leg it for Leesy' campaign in memory of his brother. Over £1,000 has been raised via JustGiving. Around 30 people, including close friend Vikkilee Henson, will participate in hourly 5k runs or workouts from 9am. QR codes will be available for on-site donations.
Oldham Athletic Community Trust will host its second annual sleep out event at Boundary Park in 2026, following the success of the 2025 event. Participants will sleep outdoors on cardboard to experience street homelessness and raise funds for local charities tackling homelessness, food poverty, and hardship. The event costs £15 to register with a £50 minimum sponsorship target, and top fundraisers will receive prizes. Funds will support partners including NorthCare Charity. The trust aims to surpass last year's fundraising total while promoting its 'A Better Oldham' strategy to address borough inequalities.
A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to create a mural honouring The Stone Roses bassist Mani in Failsworth, where he grew up. Mani, whose real name was Gary Mounfield, died in November 2025 aged 63 from respiratory issues. The campaign by GRIT Studios aims to raise £10,000, with over £7,000 already donated by nearly 200 people. The mural will be created by Pic.One.Art, known for the Gallagher brothers mural in Burnage. All profits will go to Maggie's Manchester, a charity close to Mani and his wife Imelda's hearts during her cancer treatment.