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Altrincham grandma beats personal best at Trafford 10k on her 85th birthday

A reminder you're only ever as old as you feel. Turns out, Barbara is legend-years-old.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 8th March 2023

In news you simply love to see, an Altrincham grandma not only completed her second Trafford 10k in two years this past weekend, she also managed to beat her personal best — all on her birthday!

Running for Greater Manchester charity St Ann’s Hospice along with 20 members of her family, Alty nan Barbara Thackray managed to complete the popular 10k running challenge in 85 minutes, nearly a whole two minutes quicker than she did last year at her hometown Altrincham 10k.

To make the occasion even more wonderful, Barbara just so happened to be running on her 85th birthday and was met at the finish line with plenty of cheers and a cake at the ready.

Have to say, the fact it was everyone’s favourite Colin the Caterpillar makes this story even better.

Barbara only started running when she turned 77 and has steadily been smashing PBs left right and centre ever since. Go on, Barbs!

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She now runs around 12 miles every week and is a big proponent of ‘you’re only as old as you feel’. Speaking to BBC’s North West Tonight in 2022, she said that running for a cause “enables us to keep our body going” and has only increased her mileage since lockdown.

The 85-year-old raised a whopping £1,325 with her latest feat on Sunday, 5 March and has raised well over £20,000 with her runs over the past few years. She has been raising money for the organisation for over a decade now, doing so after her late sister Audrey became a patient at the hospice.

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She told Altrincham Today: “This race is always special to me as my family come from across the country to run with me and some crossed the finish line with me too!”

The Altrincham grandma has been inspiring others, senior or otherwise, to keep moving and do their bit.

Although she has kept fit all her life, whether it be walking or otherwise, she says that running has changed her life by giving her a new purpose and spreading plenty of happiness along the way.

She went on to reinforce just how important the charity has been for her family. “My sister’s death was much better due to St Ann’s Hospice, they’ll do whatever they can for their patient to have the best quality death they possibly can have – and that’s worth supporting,” said Barbara.

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As for her message to anyone of a similar age who might be considering taking up running, she simply advises to “begin gently and listen to your body.”

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You can still donate to Barbara’s fundraiser or help St Ann’s Hospice in their mission to support those who are 18 and above and affected by life-limiting illnesses, as well as their loved ones and carers HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — St Ann’s Hospice (via Twitter)

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Manchester locals appealing for more information over a month after from finding family member’s body

Danny Jones Danny Jones GMP appeal after body of Chorlton man found dead in bedroom

A Greater Manchester family are still calling for more information now over a month on from the discovery of a man’s body at his Chorlton home.

William Riddell, 49, was found dead in the bedroom of a property on Astbury Avenue at approximately 11:35pm on Sunday, 10 November after being found by his stepdaughter, Sarah Hayden.

Details surrounding his passing are still scarce but a 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder but has since been released on bail “pending further enquiries”, leaving Sarah and the rest of her family still none the wiser as to the exact nature of his death.

Preparing to spend their first Christmas without him, they have issued a desperate appeal for more information, urging anyone who might have information to come forward.

Riddell, more commonly known as Billy by those close to him, was described as a “good, caring man with a big heart” and a popular figure in the local area.

Speaking via Greater Manchester Police, Sarah, said: “I want to be Billy’s voice and get answers for him. Billy was a nice and lovely man and all the community knew who he was. He was well-liked and we gave him a good send-off at his funeral.

“I would just ask anyone who knew him or has any information to come forward and tell police. Even if you think it’s a little or small thing – please come forward. We just want to get to the bottom of what has happened.”

Detective Inspector Alex Wilkinson, who serves on GMP‘s Major Incident Team, added in an official statement: “The family of Billy deserve answers following his death and we are working hard to ensure they get exactly that.

“We have closely supported Sarah and the wider family over the last month, and we will continue to provide assistance wherever we can as they face their first Christmas without him.

“While a suspect has been bailed, we are still working flat-out to understand more about Billy’s life, the people he was close to, and events leading up to his death just over a month ago.”

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With that in mind, both GMP and Riddell’s family are asking anyone who might know anything or have information regarding people associated with Billy to come forward, reiterating that “even if you consider something to be small – your help could greatly benefit our investigation.”

You can contact police via 101 or by using the live chat function HERE, quoting log 3227 of 10/11/24.

Alternatively, you can contact the UK’s independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Greater Manchester Police

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Government aims to ‘turn the tide’ on homelessness with £1 billion funding boost

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Nearly £1 billion of funding is being pumped into Council budgets to help “break the cycle of spiralling homelessness” in 2025.

As part of the Government‘s wider ‘Plan For Change’, and in a bid to help tackle, reduce, and prevent homelessness next year, it’s been announced that more resources will be be made available for workers on the frontline who provide essential services to get rough sleepers off the street and into secure housing.

This significant investment means Councils will now be “better equipped” to step in early and stop households from becoming homeless in the first place.

According to the Government’s plans, these funded measures will include mediation with landlords or families to prevent evictions, helping homeless people find new homes, and providing deposits to access private renting. 

The funding will also be used to address the growing use of B&Bs and nightly-let accommodation, and the streamlining of funding structures to make it easier for Councils to spend their cash.  

Areas across the UK can also choose to channel resources into services such as Housing First.

Housing First has been massively successful in Greater Manchester, and has helped house hundreds of our region’s rough sleepers since it was first piloted, being described as “life-changing” along the way.

More than £633 million of the funding will be allocated for the Homelessness Prevention Grant – which is a £192 million increase from this year – while £185.6 million will go to the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant, more than £37 million to the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme, and £5 million will be for the Emergency Accommodation Reduction Pilots.

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This new £1 billion funding boost comes after it was announced back in September that Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions will be abolished in England next year as part of the landmark Renters’ Rights Bill.

It will also look to support the Government’s ambition to deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housing in a generation – with an extra £500 million ploughed into the Affordable Homes Programme to build tens of thousands of affordable homes across the country.  

Featured Image – Gary Knight (via Flickr)

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