A young boy from Bolton has taken to social media to make an emotional plea asking others to stop abusing his Dad’s disability.
10-year-old Lucca Warwick and his father Dean Warwick often spend time riding their specially-adapted hand cycle bike together, but now Lucca has posted an emotional video urging people to leave them both alone after his Dad has experienced a recent rise in disability-related abuse.
Dean has limited mobility due to his conditions – which include Spina Bifida and Snapping Hip Syndrome – and often relies on sticks to walk short distances, wheelchairs, and his hand cycle bike.
The father-of-two has seen the abuse directed toward his disability increase since the start of lockdown.
A recent incident involving a van swerving straight towards him has left Dean without the confidence to ride alongside his son and has brought him to the decision to sell his bike.
After finding out his Dad’s intention to sell his hand cycle bike, Lucca posted a video of him addressing the situation to video-sharing platform TikTok in an effort to end the abuse, show support and raise awareness for spinal disabilities.
The short video was also re-posted by Lucca’s mother onto Facebook last week.
She stated that Dean is receiving disability-related abuse “on a daily basis at the moment” and crucially emphasised that “the pain isn’t just on the person you’re abusing because they’re disabled, but their children feel it as well when they witness it happening”.
When you find this on your sons TikTok ? the pain isn’t just on the person your abusing because they’re disabled but their children feel it as well when they witness it happening on a daily basis at the moment.
Speaking to the Bolton News about Lucca’s plea, Dean Warwick said: “He did it off his own back and you could see the pain in his eyes. I was out riding with him through Little Lever when this guy in a van just decided to swerve towards me, before driving away laughing.”
“It was really scary for him, he was behind me so for him it looked like someone was trying to run his dad over. He can’t understand why people would be like that, I’m not his disabled dad, I’m his dad, it hurts him to see things like this and it’s going to affect him in a big way.”
“For him to take to his own TikTok it must be playing on his mind.”
On the topic of the rise in abusive comments, Dean added that: “It’s the first time I’ve ever experienced discrimination like that, I see it every day but not from a place of hatred like this.”
“Since we’ve been in lockdown, people have been more vindictive.”
“I’ve had two lads who walked past me whilst I was on my bike who said ‘can you not use a normal bike you effing mong’, and when I was coming out of a shop the other day a guy asked me if I was alright, which I thought was a genuine question, before he started swearing and told me I didn’t look it.”
“Once I’m in that bike I’m defenceless, and sometimes it’s not worth speaking up against the comments in case it makes things worse.”
“There’s a massive ignorance, and it’s really bad at the moment, it’s coming from all different walks of life, not just teens but fully grown adults, you’d think they’d know better. I probably won’t sell the bike now, but I’ve got to find the confidence to get back out there.”
“I don’t think the abuse will ever go away, but it’s just about making sure people are more educated.”
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Viral beauty retailer Sephora announces Manchester Arndale opening day plans
Thomas Melia
Viral beauty stockist Sephora has announced the schedule ahead of new Manchester Arndale site’s opening day.
Known for stocking some of the world’s biggest beauty brands, including Sol De Janeiro Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez, Fenty, Huda Beauty, and more, Sephora is making its Manchester Arndale debut this week, and opening day plans have been confirmed.
After opening its first Manchester site inside the Trafford Centre last year, the cosmetics retailer is now really making its mark on Manchester city centre.
Ahead of its new launch inside one of Manchester’s biggest shopping centres, with a almost 5,000 sq ft site inside the Arndale, Sephora is expected to attract huge queues, so the retailer has issued a statement detailing its plans ahead of the opening day.
Sephora has announced plans ahead of its big Manchester Arndale launch event / Credit: The Manc Group
The opening day is this Friday (1 August) from 10am, and from this date, you’ll be able to get your hands on all their glorious goodies and brands.
If you’re eager to be one of the first people to browse this beauty shop and its massive product range, you’ll be able to queue beforehand – with entertainment on the day from 8am, and the opening ceremony from 9:30am.
Similarly to the brand’s Trafford Centre launch, there will be a range of activities, including an appearance from Drag King Don One, DJ sets, Spin the Wheel, and Sephora’s iconic viral gift bags.
These gift bags have become highly-sought-after due to the sheer amount of big names and top quality products you can find inside, and there’ll be 800 of these prized possessions given away throughout the weekend.
This time, however, the cosmetics retailer is trialling a new approach, with anyone who makes an in-store purchase receiving a ‘Sephora Beauty Bonus Card’ which gives you access to goodies and offers without queuing.
You’ll be in with the chance of winning a goodie bag, a mystery lucky dip for a full-sized product, Benefit Wax and Tint Brow Service, 30-minute makeover opportunity, exclusive merchandise, and a 10% off code for the Manchester Arndale Sephora shop.
The viral beauty brand Sephora will be giving away 800 goodie bag at its big Manchester Arndale launch event / Credit: The Manc Group
Sephora will be stocking more than 135 brands, as well as a curation of products that are exclusive to its UK locations.
Sarah Boyd, Managing Director of Sephora UK, commented: “We’ve been blown away by the energy and support from our community at every store opening since our first in 2023.
“This new approach means even more customers can enjoy the fun and walk away with a surprise without needing to arrive hours before doors open. It’s about putting customer wellbeing first, while still celebrating in true Sephora style”.
Sephora is opening at Manchester Arndale on Friday 1 August, with entertainment starting from 8am, the official opening ceremony commencing from 9:30am, and the store opening at 10am.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is offering FREE returns if it’s raining when you visit
Emily Sergeant
Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach Resort has introduced a new ‘rainy day return’ policy.
If there’s one thing we can all be certain of, here in the North West, rain will fall, even if it’s summer, and despite the fact us northerners are used to it, it does tend to dampen the fun a bit – pun intended – which is why Blackpool Pleasure Beach has introduced a new policy aimed at ensuring guests are getting the best out of their visit throughout August.
If you’re visiting Blackpool Pleasure Beach this summer, and it rains for more than three hours on the day of your trip, then you’ll be entitled to return for free within seven days of your original visit.
This means you’ll get a second go at experiencing the Pleasure Beach’s lineup of rides and attractions, like the 235ft Big One, the award-winning Valhalla, and the UK’s only Nickelodeon Land, all when they sun is shining… or just when it’s not chucking it down, at the very least.
“It’s important to us that guests have the best time when visiting,” commented Amanda Thompson OBE, who is the CEO of the Pleasure Beach Resort.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is offering free returns if it’s raining when you visit / Credit: Supplied
“While, technically speaking, the rain doesn’t affect our rides, we wouldn’t want the wet weather to dampen anyone’s day.
“We truly believe that you can have a great time at Pleasure Beach come rain or shine, but we know that everything is extra special when the weather is on side.”
To use the rainy day return scheme, guests should arrive at the ticket centre on the day of their return visit, and display their eTickets, paper tickets, or confirmation email to staff.
The new return option can be used any day of the week, within seven days of the original visit.
The launch of the Pleasure Beach’s ‘rainy day returns’ policy comes just days after the resort last week unveiled a first glimpse of what its new £8.72 million ride, Aviktas – that’s set to be the ‘tallest of its kind’ in the UK – will look like once it’s finished.
Aviktas will spin riders 120 degrees, facing outwards with legs dangling as you soar along the coastline.
The Manc -
23rd July 2020 
