A local community has come together to raise thousands of pounds for the family of a restaurant owner who sadly died after a carjacking in Stockport this past weekend.
Haji Mohammed Heydayatul Islam – a 53-year-old father known as Nowab Miah from Hyde, Tameside – was delivering a meal on Friday 8th January in Romiley was run over whilst trying to stop his car being taken at around 9pm on Hazel Avenue.
A murder inquiry has begun and a 14-year-old boy – who was arrested on suspicion of robbery – remains in police custody.
Police are also searching for a silver Mercedes which was stolen.
The family of Mr Miah asked that the community on social media to “keep us in your prayers and allow [us] to come to terms with this loss”.
Following news of the tragic event which shocked the region, tributes have been pouring in for Mr Miah – who owned popular Indian restaurant and takeaway Marple Spice in Marple – after it was revealed he had died in hospital on Sunday.
In a touching tribute posted to Facebook on Sunday, Mr Miah’s son Shaf Nowab said: “I am saddened to announce that my father, my mentor, my role model Haji Mohammed Hedayatul Islam known as Nowab Miah to his friends has sadly left this world surrounded by close family.
“Many of you will be aware of the recent incident that occurred in Romiley.
“My father is the person that it occurred with [and] he was just doing his last delivery for our restaurant before he went home [so] I would like to thank everyone in the community for their prayers and regards, and me and my family genuinely appreciate everything you have said.”
Local residents have also since launched a GoFundMe page in the hopes of raising money and showing their support for Mr Miah’s family and for charity causes close to his heart.
The description of the GoFundMe page reads: “As a community we are all saddened to hear that a precious life has been lost. Donations will be used towards fulfilling the wishes of the gentleman, who especially wanted to help the Children of Bangladesh.”
More than 450 people have donated to the fundraiser, which has already reached over £6,000 and counting.
Google Maps
Police are appealing to the public to come forward with any information.
Chief Inspector Liam Boden – of Greater Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team – said: “This is an extremely tragic case which has rocked the community and left a family utterly devastated. We believe there may have been others involved in the incident and a number of lines of enquiry are continuing to be carried out in order for us to find those responsible.
“We’re still asking the public to come forward with any information that may assist us – even the smallest bit of information can prove vital.
“Anyone who may have seen a silver Mercedes in the area at the time or may have seen it in suspicious circumstances since is asked to get in touch – this vehicle could prove vital in our investigation.
“We’re also keen for anyone with any CCTV or dash-cam footage to get in touch.”
Anyone with information should call 0161 856 9821 or 0161 856 9790 quoting log number 2499 of 08/01/2021, or alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
You can also donate to the GoFundMe page for Mr Miah’s family here.
News
Kalvin Phillips is reportedly set to be reintegrated into the Manchester City squad
Danny Jones
Long-exiled Manchester City player Kalvin Phillips is reportedly on the verge of being reintegrated into Pep Guardiola’s squad this season.
The ex-Leeds United star, who signed for the Blues back in 2022, has still only made just 16 appearances for the club, but could now be eyeing up a potential renaissance.
Man City have made plenty of signings this year, but with a number of outgoings and several injuries in key positions, it looks like there could be an avenue for the one-time England international to fight his way back into the team.
As per Telegraph Sport‘s Mike McGrath, Kalvin Phillips is set to be reintroduced to City’s 25-man Premier League selection; the question is, can he make it into a first-team XI?
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Kalvin Phillips has chance to resurrect career at the Etihad Stadium after failed loan spells with Ipswich and West Ham
According to McGrath, Phillips will be “given a chance to resurrect his career at the Etihad Stadium” with the meat and potatoes of the 2025/26 campaign still yet to get properly underway.
Now 29, the Yorkshireman is well and truly within the crucial ‘prime’ years as an athlete, and after such an extended period on the sidelines, he’ll be more motivated than anyone to get his career back on track.
The central defensive midfielder – who was formerly considered a key cog in the middle of the park for Leeds – has spent two loan spells away from the Etihad, but neither really worked out for the undeniably talented footballer.
Having joined West Ham for the latter portion of the 23/24 term and spending the last 12 months on loan at struggling Ipswich Town, his time at both clubs was pretty forgettable, punctuated by little more than a couple of unfortunate red cards and more time on the bench.
Speaking to Sky Sports fairly recently, he confessed that the last couple of years have been very difficult and was visibly emotional discussing his struggles since moving to Man City.
It’s also worth noting that Guardiola himself has admitted to feeling “so bad” for Kalvin Phillips’ situation – perhaps why he now looks like he could be given a second chance.
CDM-wise, Rodri and Nico González are considered the go-to options, but Stockport-born Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovačić have also been used in the role.
Once again, although Man City face somewhat of an injury crisis ahead of the Manchester derby this weekend, any prolonged absences could at least see an opportunity arise for the forgotten man.
What do you make of Kalvin Phillips’ chances of being restored to the Manchester City squad and maybe even putting himself back into national team contention ahead of the World Cup?
Featured Images — Sky Sports (screenshot via YouTube)/pantkiewicz (via Flickr)
News
Brand new venue confirmed as the host of The Manchester 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness
Danny Jones
The magnificent Manchester 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness is back this year, and with the 2025 event fast approaching, they have announced arguably their biggest host venue yet, setting up in camp in a brand new food and drink hall.
Having housed the incredible charity gathering from Freight Island last year, it was always going to take some beating this time around, but somehow they’ve managed to.
The annual relay run in aid of Greater Manchester’s homeless community will be taking place at none other than the city centre’s recently unveiled House of Social, with the building’s wider student living quarters serving as the perfect fit for the initiative first thought up by university friends back in 2018.
Announced this week, House of Social will be teaming up with the wider First Street neighbourhood to look after the hordes of incredible runners this year.
Jamie Hills, Development Director at Ask Real Estate – who operate the ever-growing First St complex – said of volunteering as this year’s hosts: “First Street is thrilled to welcome and fuel the incredible runners of The Manchester 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness.
“As the city’s hotspot for community events and culture, we’re proud to be a place where community thrives, so we’re incredibly excited to support this important initiative. With our fantastic on-site amenities like House of Social, we’re ready to keep those participating powered up and going strong!”
As for co-founder Tom Lewis, speaking to The Manc, he said: “We’re excited to return for our 7th edition, with Manchester being our flagship event.
“Through being hosted at House of Social in First Street, we’re hoping to make this year’s edition the best and biggest yet, aiming to raise £50,000 for the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity Scheme, ‘A Bed Every Night’.
“We’d love to see you all at the event, plus bring your friends and workplace to. There are paces for everyone, including walking laps.”
In November 2024, not only did the fundraising phenomenon mark its first-ever expansion with an inaugural event in Birmingham, but it also surpassed £50,000 here in Manchester alone, and is now set to make debuts in a trio of new cities.
Tom went on to add: “I couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve managed to accomplish as a team with starting up three more events across the country this year and expanding Manchester to a scale we couldn’t have dreamed of when we started out seven years ago.”
We here at The Manc Group have been helping The MCR 24 Run Against Homelessness for several years now, and have put in plenty of those 5k laps between ourselves, so you can bank on us being there to put in some more hard yards this November.
Even better still, we’ve already roped in our friends over at The Hoot to help out with the maiden 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness in Leeds, and we hope to see lots more of you chipping in across the North and beyond.
Here’s to helping rough sleepers find beds and get back on their feet all over the country.
The @mcr24hourrun is expanding in 2025 and is heading to Leeds for the first time. 🏃♂️
And they're not the only city making their debut this year either… 👊