Nominate your Christmas heroes going the extra mile to help others in Greater Manchester

direct to your inboxLike this entire year, Christmas Day in 2020 is anything but normal.It's a restricted, and for some quite sad time.But Greater Mancunians did have something to smile about today...

we decided to share her story to highlight the struggle many families have faced this year.The mum, from Bolton, agreed to go by the name of Tina, as she didn't want those closest to her to know how badly she was coping.Her story resonated with so many of our readers, and we were overwhelmed by the number of people who got in touch offering to help Tina. A gofundme page was set up with the aim of raising £500 to help Tina and her husband buy Christmas presents for their children this year.

hereWhile Tania will be mostly answering emails from often desperate members of the public who need help over Christmas, Andy Smith will be answering the phone.“For me being here is in part about giving, to give back to people,” the volunteer told the M.E.N.“People need somebody to talk to, and I’m happy to listen and try and give them a sense of warmth for that short period of time we’re on the call with them.”“While most of the country enjoys the festivities of Christmas Day, it’s important

direct to your inboxIt's been another busy couple of weeks in the region's courts in the lead up to Christmas.People have been locked up for all manner of  criminal offences  with M.E.N. reporters there to cover the most serious.There was the vicious knifeman who has left three people permanently disfigured and traumatised.Then there was the troubled baker told investors she had 'turned her life around'.

Ariana Grande is proving the people of Manchester are very much in her heart this holiday season.

direct to your inboxTwo men from Greater Manchester who won £20,000 on the hit BBC show Race Across the World have donated their prize money to charity.Emon Choudhury, 36, from Stockport, beat four other teams to win the race alongside his nephew Jamiul Choudhury, 25, from Oldham.The pair beat the odds to complete an epic 54-day journey from Mexico City to the south of Argentina for the second series of the BBC2 show.On their travels, the men were visibly moved by the number of homeless children

direct to your inboxThe deputy mayor has expressed fears there could be a rise in illegal raves and house parties in Greater Manchester over the Christmas period.Beverley Hughes told a press conference led by Andy Burnham on Tuesday that there is intelligence to suggest the region 'could see a return' of the raves and parties seen over the summer.

direct to your inboxAn elderly couple were conned out of thousands of pounds at Christmas by evil fraudsters who claimed to be Greater Manchester Police officers.Police chiefs have issued a festive fraud warning as a result.Detectives are investigating after the couple handed over bundles of £50 notes.The victims - who haven't been identified - visited their banks and building societies to withdraw cash.Police haven't revealed the exact sum involved, but said it was 'thousands of pounds'.The

three bags of food containing staple fruit, vegetables and ingredients that can be used to make hearty and healthy meals. Just like every other charity and organisation, the pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on how The Bread and Butter Thing’s services are run.When lockdown measures first came into place in March this year, the charity was faced with a surge in demand.

direct to your inboxDreaming of a white Christmas?Sadly, forecasters have predicted there will be no snow on Christmas Day this year.But the Met Office has said Greater Manchester is likely to see widespread frosty conditions that will bring a 'seasonal feel' to festivities on the day.Temperatures across most of the country will stay in mid-single figures on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but no snow is expected to settle, Met Office forecasters have predicted.They said that despite a wet

direct to your inboxGreater Manchester residents can still enjoy Christmas with friends and family - but plans will need to be drastically scaled back.In London and the South East ‘Christmas bubbles’ have been cancelled.Things look a little brighter up here - but Greater Manchester residents have been issued with a stark warning that celebrations must only take place on Christmas Day.Residents across the country are also being warned to “stay local” and avoid travelling outside their areas and

straight to your inboxManchester City have given a Christmas present to every primary school kid in East Manchester and every child in in care across the whole city.Staff, players and coaches have paid for, wrapped and delivered more than 5,500 gifts.And with the coronavirus pandemic meaning the traditional Christmas visits to hospitals are off the cards, stars including Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne have been video calling patients on children's wards at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital,

Manchester Evening News readers have shared their reactions. The region will remain under the toughest restrictions until the next review after the government announced it would not be downgraded - despite a dramatic drop in coronavirus case rates.

taken control even ahead of Matt Hancock's statement and decided not to reopen at such short notice, even if the Government allowed them to.

direct to your inboxCouncils across Greater Manchester have outlined their plans for bin collections over Christmas and the New Year.With Christmas Day and New Year’s Day falling on bank holidays this year, many town halls are having to change their schedules.Bins are being collected in the days leading up to - and after both days - though the exact dates differ from borough to borough.All councils are still urging residents to keep recycling food, cardboard and paper and other recyclable items

was scrapped after the government intervened. And now the government - which last week said schools could close one day earlier than planned - has threatened legal action against Greenwich Council in London to stop its move to have pupils learning remotely this week.

direct to your inboxCoronavirus has brought heartache to thousands of families across Greater Manchester.More than 3,800 people have died in our region's hospitals alone. And tragically, this number is continuing to rise.Behind the Covid-19 death statistics that we publish each day are human beings who all had stories to tell.

direct to your inboxTwenty-six more people have died from coronavirus in Greater Manchester's hospitals.The region's hospital death toll has risen to 3,900, the latest NHS figures show.Nine more Covid-related deaths were recorded by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust in its 24 hour data.The trust runs the Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI), Wythenshawe Hospital, the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and Saint Mary's hospital.Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed five new deaths.

direct to your inboxEighteen more people have died from coronavirus in Greater Manchester's hospitals.The region's hospital death toll has now risen to 3,787, the latest NHS figures show.Thirteen new deaths were recorded at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, the organisation in charge of the Manchester Royal Infirmary, Wythenshawe Hospital, Saint Mary's and the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed four new deaths.

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