In a wholesome bit of news that has left us both moved and inspired, a 68-year-old Brit has raised nearly £14,000 for The Christie Hospital in Manchester by completing a truly epic coastal journey.
Peter Walker, originally from Birmingham, was set to embark on the famous Land’s End to John O’Groats challenge last year with his friend Nick Slevin, but sadly his walking partner’s wife Carrie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and admitted to The Christie last year.
As a result, the journey had to be postponed but Walker still wanted to do his bit to try and raise some money in the meantime and so decided to take on a different challenge: the well-trodden but mammoth Pembrokeshire Coastal Path.
For context, this designated National Trail runs for a whopping 186 meals and Pete managed to finish the whole thing alongside some special company earlier this month.
Peter starting at Amroth in the north.The Witches’ Cauldron near Ceibwr BayCredit: Peter Walker/GoFundMe
As if the distance wasn’t enough – we’re talking nearly 300km – the challenge was even more gruelling as the Pembrokeshire local had to train pretty intensely to be fit enough for the voyage and carry a 20kg backpack every step of the way, losing over a stone in weight during his preparation.
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Climbing more than 10,000 metres in total (that’s more than Everest by the way) ‘r Pete lost lover 3kg during the walk itself, which started at Amroth towards the north of the routeon 3 June.
So, why take this on? Well, his mate Nick, who recently retired from The Christie after 30 years of service, was a Professor of Oncology specialising in head and neck cancer and is still the Chair of The Christie Charity.
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The pair met way back in 1973 whilst Nick was at medical school and have been firm friends ever since. They both sadly lost their fathers to cancer more than four decades ago and his partner Carrie is a well-known teacher in the Didsbury area and similarly experienced fell-walker.
To make things even more heartwarming, Pete, his wife Helen, Nick and Carrie were all able to reunite for the last leg and the finish line at St Dogmaels just under a fortnight later.
Peter followed the Cicerone guide and camped at designated campsites or stayed with friends along the route, even noting how he “met a current Christie patient who was extremely complimentary of the care and expert treatment she’s received” on the very first day of the incredibly charitable undertaking.
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Speaking on the achievement, he said: “It was a challenging but wonderful experience taking on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, and I learned a lot about backpacking after years of running and cycling… I’m extremely pleased to have been able to support The Christie, especially as they’re looking after Carrie.”
For many years Pete also organised and took part in the Tour of Pembrokeshire cycling event, so he’s no slouch but to still be doing these kinds of challenges at 68 and all for a good cause right here in Greater Manchester, he has our utmost admiration.
If you can still donate to his fundraising page HERE if you want to help do your bit for a medical institution that does so much for our area.
Salford Red Devils granted another adjournment over unpaid debts
Danny Jones
Salford Red Devils have been given one more adjournment and yet another stay of execution, being given another two weeks to find the money to cover their unpaid debts.
The local rugby league side, which has been wrapped in all manner of struggles both on and off-pitch over the past year or so, reportedly needs to pay around £700,000 to HMRC alone and still owes roughly £5 million in total to various creditors.
To no surprise, regular matchgoers, neutrals and even rivals alike have expressed their continued disappointment with the club, mainly at the lack of transparency and clarity from the organisation throughout this long, drawn-out process.
This is coming from a wire fan but no club deserves to be left in the dark even longer than they already have done it’s nothing but a disgrace to the sport of rugby those owners and the court should be ashamed of themselves.
Updating fans on social media, this is all the information they have communicated at this time: “Salford Red Devils can confirm that HMRC have granted the club a two-week adjournment, providing additional time in which to secure the necessary funds.
“We would like to reassure supporters that we are working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure a positive resolution. Further updates will be shared as soon as possible.”
It’s worth noting that the current owners have reiterated that they inheited around £3m in existing debt before they took over the club, but assurances over their own investments have still come to nothing; meanwhile, with many still waiting on wages, players and staff alike have now left.
Having been propped up by loan players and emergency loans, the team is now closer to a skeleton crew than it is an outfit capable of competing in the premier division.
Either way, the outrage remains and is only growing stronger. One user wrote on X: “A good approach by them if they was legit would be to engage and bring in The 1873 to bridge the communication black hole (they created).
“The problem with that is if they did it would expose them for what they are… Extortionists using the club as a vehicle.”
More alarm bells were raised recently when assistant coach and Krisnan Inu – who was also director of the company set up to take over the business – withdrew himself from a key position behind the scenes.
Speaking of The 1873, the outspoken supporters trust took no time at all in issuing a response of their own, adding: “The judge presiding over today’s case has adjourned by 14 days. This adjournment has dragged the uncertainty on even longer.
“Every delay makes planning for 2026 harder and keeps the club stuck in limbo when it desperately needs clarity and direction.
“The fans, the players and the future all deserve better — The 1873.”
You can see the rest of their statement in full down below, but for now, what do you make of this seemingly neverending saga, Salfordians?
‘Christmas chaos’ on the cards as Manchester tram drivers vote on staging strike action next month
Emily Sergeant
There could be major disruption to festive travel in Greater Manchester next month, as hundreds of tram drivers are currently voting on whether to strike.
Almost 320 tram drivers are being balloted over working conditions and fears around fatigue.
The drivers – who are members of the union, Unite – all work for KeolisAmey Metrolink Limited at the Warwick Road South and Queens Road depots in Manchester – and they operate trams on all routes in Greater Manchester.
As it stands, the drivers’ shift patterns currently mean they have to work 450 hours over a 12-week period, which results in some having to work 50 hours on, followed by just two days off, then back into another 50-hour work pattern.
Drivers also have fewer rest days compared to all other operational departments, and this is said to be causing safety concerns around fatigue.
‘Christmas chaos’ is on the cards as Manchester tram drivers are currently voting on staging strike action next month / Credit: TfGM
Drivers say they concerned about operating heavy vehicles while exhausted and unable to have proper breaks, but after raising the issue with management, Unite has been told there is ‘no funding available’ to support any ‘meaningful’ improvements to working patterns.
Instead, management has asked drivers to start work earlier – which Unite says is only ‘adding insult to injury’.
The ballot is set to close on 11 November, and if drivers vote in favour of industrial action, strikes could then begin in late November, causing widespread cancellations and delays throughout the region during the busy festive shopping period – particularly coinciding with Manchester’s world-famous Christmas Markets, known for attracting millions of visitors to the city each year.
“Any strike action will cause a great deal of disruption but it is entirely the fault of Metrolink, which is not taking the issue of driver fatigue seriously,” commented Unite Regional Officer, Colin Hayden.
Danny Jones -
25th June 2024 
