Manchester Evening News

Thousands sign up to get active

- By ALICE IRVING

MORE than 22,000 people have signed up to the new MCRActive card in the first five months of the scheme – and monthly free prize draws are being held for all new cardholder­s.

The MCRactive card, which launched last September, offers up to 30 per cent off regular payand-play prices at Manchester sports facilities.

The first lucky prize draw winner, Richard Hales, from Chorlton, was presented with his prize of a new iPad at Hough End Leisure Centre.

Richard, who uses Hough End frequently, mainly to take advantage of free swimming for the over 60s, said: “I signed up as I’ve been using the gym to help my rehab from knee surgery and the MCRActive card qualifies me for a discounted pay-and-play rate. It’s great having such a modern facility right on our doorstep.”

The card can be used at local community leisure centres and national sports centres, all of which offer a wide range of activities, including swimming, football, gym, squash, tennis and badminton.

Anyone can sign up for the card, either online, or at any participat­ing centre. Sign-up is completely free, with no joining or annual fee – simply pay for your chosen session and get active.

Everyone who signs up is automatica­lly entered into the next monthly prize draw – and January’s winners scooped VIP tickets to the National Track Championsh­ips at the HSBC UK National Cycling Centre.

The new card has been launched as part of Manchester council’s drive to remove barriers to participat­ion in sport, health and leisure activities and to encourage as wide a range of local citizens as possible to get active.

To find out more, or to sign up for your card, visit MCRactive.com/ payandplay. Follow MCRactive on Twitter (@ MCRactive), facebook. com/MCRactive and Instagram (mcractive).

 ??  ?? Richard Hales receives his prize from Louise Taylor, duty manager at the Hough End Leisure Centre
Richard Hales receives his prize from Louise Taylor, duty manager at the Hough End Leisure Centre

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