Alocal mum who is currently recovering from breast cancer surgery is preparing to take part in this year’s Great Manchester Run.
And she’s already being hailed as absolutely “inspirational”.
32-year-old Becky Haigh from Peel Hall in Wythenshawe was sadly diagnosed with breast cancer back in November 2022 after first ignoring a lump on her breast for a number of months, but eventually heading to the doctors when her concerns grew stronger.
The single mum of two said she “knew she had to fight” after she was hit with the news of her devastating diagnosis as she had “no other option”.
“I went to the doctors with concerns about a lump I had found on my breast,” Becky explained.
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“If I’m honest, I had ignored it for a few months, but after encouragement from my mum, I finally decided to get it checked out, and after my doctor’s visit, I was officially diagnosed in November 2022.
“The only words I remember hearing was ‘it’s super treatable’, and while my journey has been extremely challenging, those words gave me hope throughout the whole experience, as being 31 and a single mum of two girls, I knew I had to fight – there was no other option, my girls needed me.
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“I started my first round of chemotherapy in December, exactly a month after diagnosis, and the rest of my three-times-a-week treatment continued, and I rang the bell on the 16 March 2023”.
After ringing the bell, Becky opted for a lumpectomy with sentinel lymph node removal followed by radiotherapy, and is currently awaiting her pathology results to see if she is officially cancer free after undergoing surgery at Wythenshawe Hospital back in April – just weeks before the race takes place on Sunday 21 May.
The brave mum is taking part in the 10k race at this year’s AJ Bell Great Manchester Run alongside her sister, Samantha, and the pair are raising funds worth funds for Manchester-based charity Prevent Breast Cancer.
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Prevent Breast Cancer is the only UK charity funding groundbreaking research solely aimed at preventing breast cancer for future generations.
As Becky has worked for the NHS for the past five years now as a Complaints Manager, she says she is “well aware” of the importance of funding for cancer research, and she hopes that her participation in the event will help make a difference.
“Despite my recent surgery, I’m so excited to complete the race, especially with my sister by my side [as] my sister’s support throughout my cancer journey, including holding my hand at many appointments, has meant everything to me.
“Looking back on what I’ve been through means completing the 10k together is even more special.
“Our initial goal was to raise £200, but we have already raised over £900 – which we are absolutely over the moon with.”
Nikki Barraclough, Executive Director at Prevent Breast Cancer, has hailed Becky’s story as not only one of “resilience and positivity” but also the power of social support.
Featured Image – Prevent Breast Cancer
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Manchester firefighter surprises partner with proposal during new recruits parade
Danny Jones
We’re a sucker for a wholesome little video as we know you are, which is exactly why we thought of you lot when we came across this video of a newly graduated Manchester firefighter surprising his partner with a heartwarming proposal.
Just the kind of heartwarming that usually sets us off after a long week at work.
The clip shared by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) on Thursday, 25 April, shows Manc fireman James popping the question to his girlfriend sat unassumingly in the audience at a recent passing out ceremony.
Pass out ceremonies are when trainees go from recruits to fully qualified firefighters after completing their intensive operational training. It’s a long-standing tradition in the emergency services where friends and family gather to celebrate their achievements – it’s almost like it’s the perfect opportunity…
Watch as a Manc firefighter turns his passing out ceremony into a surprise proposal.
As you can see, since the graduates are usually the centre of attention, James couldn’t help but size his moment and instead of walking and lining up normally like everyone else, he decided to head straight over to his wife-to-be and get down on one knee.
You already know the rest.
Welling up immediately and barely able to remove her hands from her face, Melissa nods and says yes as the crowd cheers and the pair share a smooch.
Writing on social media, the GMFRS said: “We managed to capture a VERY special moment at our new recruits pass out parade today… Congratulations to James and Melissa!”, adding, “Certainly one way to start your new career”.
If we don’t see all the groomsmen dressed as firefighters on a random viral video sometime soon we’re going to be gutted.
All the best to the happy couple and if you’ve got any more lovely clips like this to send in so we can make ourselves cry (in a good way), you know what to do.
Featured Images — Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
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The Chestergate pub in Stockport is at it again with some of the most wonderfully Manc scenes you’ll ever see
Danny Jones
The legendary Chestergate pub in Stockport is back with another belter of a video, following on from their viral belly-flashing clip of 2022.
The Mersey Square boozer has painted yet another quintessentially Northern depiction of UK pub culture with the latest Manc scenes they’ve captured around the karaoke machine.
If you’ve never had the pleasure of stumbling into The Chestergate in Stockport town centre, the long-standing boozer currently operated by publican chain Blind Tiger Inns, you’re seriously missing out.
While it might not be the flashiest of pubs, when it comes to entertainment, it always delivers.
Whether it’s stunts like renaming themselves ‘The Southgate’ whenever the Euros or World Cup rolls around, or the locals just genuinely having a whale of a time no matter what day of the week it is, it really sums up the best of pub culture.
The Chestergate went viral for some of the most British footage ever caught on film back in 2022 and the videos saw a huge wave of love and support flooding in for the pub, as well as a healthy amount of chuckles. Safe to say we were chuffed to see them pop back up on our feed again recently.
Karaoke night at The Chestergate literally never disappoints.
Forget ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ or ‘Champagne Supernova’ for karaoke songs – we’ll take a cacophony of inaudible throwback pop music, whilst another bloke and his hype man try and MC over a totally ill-fitting beat any day of the week.
And that’s handy because you’ll find those kinds of shenanigans happening at this place all the time.
It’s simultaneously one of the most no-nonsense and somehow a non-stop shenanigan-filled paradise. They also look after their own and consider their regulars part of the family. Case and point: they threw their very own ‘Dancing Queen’ Molly a big bash for her 86th birthday and it’s such wholesome viewing.
At this point, it’s worth flagging that we have nothing but envy for these folks and anyone who’s just out there having the time of their lives on any random weeknight.
Yes, it produced plenty of laughs for those watching online in recent times but this lot won’t mind one bit – not only is the pub seeing more and more new faces through the door but that’s the whole point of a pub, isn’t it? Going for a pint with your nearest and dearest and having a laugh.
Not only is it very Manchester but it’s Britain at its very best.
We hope to see you at The Chestergate pub in Stockport for a pint or two sometime soon and we’re making a bit of a prat of ourselves, don’t worry, we’re sure they’ll have the cameras ready for you.