A Manchester mum who lost her young son in a tragic accident has been “overwhelmed” by the outpouring of support by the local community in her bid to create a lasting legacy for him.
When Max Rimmer-Chambers sadly died in May 2017 at aged four after a fireplace surround fell on him, his passing completely ripped through the whole local Openshaw community and saw hundreds of people attend his funeral and donate money to his grieving family.
And it was these kind donations that inspired his family to give back.
Now, his mum Kerrie Rimmer, 44, has launched a campaign where she is aiming to raise more than £200,000 to build an ambitious community bike track in his memory.
As the young boy was “full of fun and adventure”, had a “cheeky charm”, and was known to have an “obsession of all things with wheels”, the campaign for the cycle track – which is called Max Trax – will commemorate Kerry’s “outgoing and bubbly” son, who she said was her “absolute world”.
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“He loved nothing more than riding bikes, scooters, and anything that zoomed around Delamere Park beside his house,” Max’s family said.
Max Trax will create a lasting legacy for the four-year-old who had “an obsession of all things wheels” / Credit: Max Trax
Built in the heart of the Openshaw community at that very same park beside his house, Max Trax will be a place for young people and families to come to have fun and be active, learn something new, and explore the outdoors.
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The campaign may started small but, but after support from Manchester City Council and the charity Step Up MCR, the family decided to expand it.
The plans for the proposed project will feature a new cycle track for all ages, educational programmes, and even a community centre, while a disused building within the park could also be transformed into a “community hub” that will run workshops to teach new skills and provide meals for struggling families.
A ‘repair shop’ will offer to recycle old bikes to donate to children from low-income families, alongside educational workshops to teach children new skills to further their hobbies or even future careers.
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The plans for the proposed project will feature a new cycle track for all ages, educational programmes, and more / Credit: Max Trax
Ms Rimmer said her son would “absolutely love” the campaign.
Cllr Donna Ludford – councillor for Clayton and Openshaw – told ITV Granada that the bike track will have a “massive impact on the community”, adding: “For young people, it’s somewhere to go, an activity [and] if this didn’t happen, I’d be really upset as I think it’s something that everybody can get involved in it.”
A Crowdfunder set up for the campaign has already seen donations reach the £71,000 and counting, and you can contribute here.
You can also support and find out more about the Max Trax campaign here.
Classic FM will be back playing calming music for anxious pets this Bonfire Night
Emily Sergeant
Classic FM will be back playing calming music for anxious pets during this year’s fireworks season.
Bonfire Night may be loved by us humans for the spectacular firework displays and all the festive-themed activities that come along with it… but sadly, the November holiday isn’t quite so fun for our four-legged friends.
Loud bangs, flashing lights, and unpleasant strong smell of spent explosives are just some of the reasons why fireworks are frightening to pets.
Not only that, but with multiple bangs occurring from numerous displays across this time of year, pets are rarely able to pinpoint when and where the booming explosions are coming from, therefore creating even more anxiety around this time of year.
Classic FM will play calming music for anxious pets during this year’s fireworks / Credit: DESIGNECOLOGIST (via Unsplash)
Which is why, for the ninth year running now, Classic FM is once again teaming up with the RSPCA for two Pet Classics programmes packed with ‘the most soothing and comforting classical music’.
The music has been handpicked to help calm and settle any anxious pets.
A survey by the RSPCA revealed that almost two-thirds (63%) of animal owners reported their pet was distressed during fireworks season, and that playing relaxing music was the most common way (36%) to help calm or prepare their animal.
Presenters Dan Walker, Aled Jones, and Dawn O’Porter will each host a night of the specially created programme to help keep the nation’s pets calm through the whizzes and bangs.
Dan will present the first programme on Bonfire Night itself (Thursday 5 November), and then as celebrations continue throughout the weekend, Aled will be on hand to bring some peace to Friday 6 November, and Dawn picks up the baton on Saturday 7 November.
All three Pet Classics programmes will be broadcast from 5pm to 10pm, and you can listen on Classic FM or Global Player available across the UK.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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What is the UK’s national dish? New survey reveals Brits’ pick in landslide victory
Emily Sergeant
If you’ve ever thought to Google the question ‘what is Britain’s national dish?’, then you probably came away thinking it’s chicken tikka masala.
But is that actually the truth? A new survey has disproved the claim, massively.
There’s no denying that chicken tikka masala – an Indian curry that’s actually widely thought to have been created in Britain – is a popular dish that’s loved by many, but despite what many headlines have claimed over the years, a new YouGov survey has revealed it’s not what Brits consider to be the country’s ‘national dish’.
YouGov conducted two online surveys earlier this month, made up of 2,079 and 2,104 adults aged 18+ living in Great Britain.
And, in their own words, Brits chose fish and chips as the country’s national dish, making it the ‘resounding’ winner with 49% of the vote.
What is the UK’s national dish? A new survey has revealed Brits’ pick in a landslide victory / Credit: The Manc Group
With nearly half of the overall vote, this puts fish and chips far ahead of the roast dinner in second place, which only 24% of people picked – including the 6% who made sure to specify a beef roast.
In fact, only 3% of Brits actually name chicken tikka masala as the UK’s national dish, although 52% in the survey did confess that they eat some form of curry at least once a month, so it is still a popular pick regardless.
Fish and chips is by far the most common answer across all generations too, according to the survey (45-50%), with the biggest difference between age groups being that 18-24 year olds are less likely to have nominated roast dinner and more likely to have chosen chicken tikka masala instead.
What do Brits say is the UK’s national dish?
Fish and chips – 49%
Roast dinner – 24%
Chicken tikka masala – 3%
Curry (non-specific) – 2%
Full English breakfast – 2%
Bangers and mash – 1%
Cottage or shepherd’s pie – 1%
Other – 3%
Don’t know – 15%
The survey also showed that, of the three top contenders for the UK’s national dish, roast dinners are the most frequently eaten, as 52% of people said they eat them on a monthly basis – including 16% who do so every week.
Aside from the frequently mentioned dishes, some survey respondents also gave shoutouts to the full English breakfast (2%), bangers and mash (1%), and cottage or shepherd’s pie (1%).
Emily Sergeant -
24th January 2022 
