A kind-hearted man from Great Harwood is set to take underprivileged children and pensioners on two separate trips this December.

Ex-rugby player Mickii Edwards will use profits from his Great Harwood bar, Tipsy Cows, to take around 50 children to Winter Wonderland in Manchester.

He’s also set to treat 52 pensioners on a day trip to Blackpool.

Mickii is asking the public to submit nominations of who they think is deserving of the day trips.

Kids on the Winter Wonderland trip will be taken to the event by coach. They will be able to go on rides and see a pantomime, and will be given a big Christmas meal and a bag of toys.

Pensioners on trip to Blackpool earlier in 2024Pensioners on trip to Blackpool earlier in 2024 (Image: Mickii Edwards)

The chosen children will be surprised with a ‘golden ticket’ at the Great Harwood Christmas light switch-on.

Mickii said: “Anyone can apply and people can nominate struggling families or kids who are having a really bad time.

“It could be children with conditions, young carers, families struggling due to a crisis at home, and beyond.

“It’s nice to be able to give the kids something they might not otherwise get themselves.

“I don’t want to let these people down and a lot of kids are struggling around here. I have been in their shoes.  I also didn’t have it easy when I was younger. I didn’t have anything.”

The Blackpool trip will see pensioners take to the dance floor before enjoying a Christmas meal and an Elvis tribute act.

Mickii said: “This trip is for pensioners who don’t get out much. We will be taking a qualified team of helpers who will educate them on what’s on in the local community to get them going out again.

Mickii Edwards Mickii Edwards (Image: Mickii Edwards)

“I hope it will build their confidence and raise a few smiles. Hopefully, they will find new friends.

“We did a similar event earlier in the year and they loved it. The first time we took pensioners on a day out was when they lost a lot of partners and friends during Covid.”

Mickii, a former Oldham and Swinton winger who was diagnosed with early-onset dementia in 2021, said organising these trips brings him joy.

Some of his previous trips include when he took Ukrainian refugee children on a dream trip to Disneyland Paris and a VIP trip to Alton Towers.

He said: “We do well at the bar. Instead of us buying material goods we would prefer to do something like this. We have organised 80 trips more than 10 years now. It’s a joy and something a bit different.

“We enjoy doing this and plan on hosting similar events next year.

“It gives us a sense of purpose. I walk around Great Harwood and people seem to know me. Some pensioners give me a hug.

"It’s lovely because [ I am not a celebrity] but around here it’s nice for people and kids to know your name.”

You can submit your nominations by searching Nothing Is Impossible CIC on Facebook or calling Mickii on 07947121211.