The whole community is being invited to get involved with a Tameside first this weekend.

On Sunday, Manchester Pig Save are staging their very first Manchester Vegan Run - with well over 100 runners already anticipated.

The 5K canal run is being held to increase awareness about the group and raise money for animal charities.

But as Manchester Pig Save organiser Arun Patel explains, it will also be an opportunity for the whole community to come together.

“Everyone is welcome - vegans, non-vegans, runners, walkers and spectators - to join in what we are calling a ‘festival of fun’.

“There will be the running event itself, but also we will have lots of food and live music - and you don’t have to run, you can enjoy the walk too along the canal.

“Everyone is invited to come along - these are tough times for everyone so we are looking forward to bringing everyone together,” he said.

The day will begin at 9am at Ashton’s Tulip Meats, Bow Street, Dukinfield, SK16 4HY.

There will be a run briefing at 9.45am, and the run will start shortly after.

All participants will also receive a bespoke medal for taking part, made from wood.

The route for the run itself will take participants along the canal to Lockgates Sundial, Stalybridge, before returning back at Tulip Meats.

Tickets for the event are £10 for adults and £5 for under- 18s. 

They can be purchased on the event page at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/manchester-vegan-run-2022-tickets-322311701977 

However, Arun stressed that for those who would still like to run, but cannot afford the fees, then entrance costs will be waived.

All money raised through ticket sales or donated on the day will go to Whitegate Animal Sanctuary and to Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary.

There will be free refreshments along the route and vegan hotdogs and drinks at the finish, as well as a chance to meet and socialise with other like-minded people.

Manchester Pig Save has held vigils at Ashton-under-Lyne slaughterhouse Tulip Meats since 2016, the group describing itself as a peaceful, love-based and inclusive social justice movement who stand against the oppression of animals.

It is committed to helping people make the connection between the food on their plate and the living, feeling animal it once was.

Manchester has a long tradition for standing up for social justice causes and the group is proud to carry on with this tradition by welcoming all to this special event.

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