Dozens of pubs around Cheshire, the North West and even further afield are coming together to help a terminally ill woman achieve her dream of pulling a total of 100 pints in 100 different pubs.
Caitlin Shaw has been battling with multiple health issues since birth, including life-limiting heart and lung conditions, Klippel-Feil syndrome and a disability called kyphoscoliosis which causes severe curvature of the spine.
Sadly, back in March, the family were informed there was nothing more doctors could do to fight off the deterioration of her heart and she was placed on end-of-life care after signing a DNR.
Following the tragic news, Caitlin was told to make the most of her remaining time and create as many special memories as possible and has been working through her bucket list ever since: one of which was to pull a pint in 100 different pubs and she’s been doing just that.
Credit: Sam Jane MacVicar/Caitlin’s wishes (via Facebook)
According to her mother, Sam Jane MacVicar, the 21-year-old has “always wanted to be a barmaid since she was very young” and wasted no time in getting started on her mission to get behind as many bars as she can.
Pubs and bars around the likes of Wilmslow, Disley, Knutsford; Macclesfield, Congleton and more across Cheshire have answered the call to help Caitlin, as well as various other places around the North West.
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You’re all legends, every single one of you.
There are literally dozens of pubs putting their names forward to help Caitlin cross this off her bucket list.
A private group has also been set up called ‘Caitlin’s wishes’ where more than 1,4000 different members are helping her and the same goes for her GoFundMe page, where people are doing everything from helping send her to live shows and her favourite places around the UK to doing wing-walks in her name.
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Thanks to people’s charitable efforts, the fundraiser has already reached over £17,700 and she should soon be able to live her dream of taking a cruise to Spain, among many others.
If any pubs or bars around want to get involved, you simply need to get in touch via Facebook — it would be lovely to see the Greater Manchester area helping out their neighbours down the road — and you can do your bit by donating to HERE. Let’s do it for Caitlin.
Featured Image — Sam Jane MacVicar/The Throstles Nest (via Facebook)
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Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Danny Jones -
29th June 2023 
