A fundraiser set up in memory of Luke Howe, a local teen from Trafford whose body was tragically found dead in a nearby river over the weekend, has already raised well over £40,000 for his school.
Luke, 14, went missing after school on Thursday, 18 January, with Greater Manchester Police issuing a massive appeal to help find him. However, his body was sadly recovered from the River Bollin in Hale the following day and despite the best efforts of the emergency services, he was deceased at the scene.
There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death and GMP issued their deepest condolences to “Luke’s loved ones, his friends and family in what is a truly awful time”, stressing the importance they be given privacy at this time.
A Luke Howe memorial fundraiser was set up in the immediate aftermath by his aunt, Jessica Howe, with the family agreeing that all donations would go directly to his school, Brentwood Community College in Sale, known for its excellent standard of special education.
Writing in the description of the fundraiser, Jessica said: “As I’m sure so many of you are aware now, our beloved nephew/son/brother/grandson/friend Luke Howe was tragically found dead today.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Speaking with his sister, Lydia, we want to focus now on doing something positive in Luke’s name and we have decided we would love to fundraise for his school, Brentwood College…
“Brentwood is an outstanding school for SEND [special educational needs and disabilities] pupils with additional needs and we are hoping to fundraise for new soft play for the school for anyone who would like to contribute as, in his sister’s words, there was nothing he loved more.
ADVERTISEMENT
“If there is anything you can spare to help this school that did so much for Luke, we’d be forever grateful”. Since the GoFundMe went live over the weekend, more than £40k in donations has been raised for the school, with the funds going towards a new soft play area which he loved so much and deeply missed during lockdown.
The teen was described as the ‘biggest character’.Luke and his sister Lydia growing up.Credit: Family handouts
Posting an update and a link to the page following the overwhelming reaction of love, support and people paying their respects, Jessica wrote on Facebook, “Lydia and I had a moment last night when we looked at each other and couldn’t believe what you have all helped us achieve in 24 hours.
“Words will never express it. Please, please, please keep the efforts going… In the meantime though, I’m off to go focus on the family. Only love xxxxx”
ADVERTISEMENT
Speaking to the BBC, she went on to describe him as an “incredible young man” and “the greatest people person” who simply “loved happiness and joy”, adding that the response to the fundraiser has been “amazing” and that “people can be incredible in the darkest times”.
She signed off by stating, “If there’s something good that can come out of this for an incredible school that does so many amazing things for other children with similar challenges to our Luke, that will be something that will sustain us through.”
Our thoughts are with everyone near and dear to Luke and if you would like to donate to the Luke Howe fundraiser, you can do so HERE. Rest in peace.
Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025, but it’s now up to £500m and is scheduled to complete it 2029.
It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.
Featured Image – Supplied
News
All students in England to be offered the chance to do a new Ukrainian GCSE
Emily Sergeant
All students in England are soon to be offered the chance to do a new Ukrainian GCSE.
Said to be part of the UK’s ‘enduring support’ for the Ukrainian community and continued commitment to stand with Ukraine and its people, young people in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will now have the opportunity to study for a new Ukrainian GCSE, the Government has announced.
While the qualification will be open to all students, it marks a ‘particularly significant’ milestone for Ukrainian children and young people living in the UK.
It’s hoped that the introduction of the new GCSE will help Ukrainians to preserve a vital connection to their language, culture, and identity.
It’s also hoped that it’ll open pathways to future education and employment for all pupils.
In line with the other modern foreign language GCSEs that are currently on offer, the qualification will assess listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, while also recognising the cultural and historical contexts that shape the Ukrainian language.
Examination board AQA will now begin the next phase of development, bringing together language and subject experts to design what will be a ‘high-quality’ qualification reflecting the richness of Ukrainian language and culture.
Education Secretary, Lucy Powell, commented: “As they build their lives here in the UK, it is right that Ukrainians and their children should have every opportunity to maintain that connection to their heritage and to be proud of who they are.
“This new qualification is available to all pupils and will give them the chance to develop their language skills and celebrate Ukraine’s rich culture and history, while also opening pathways to future study and employment and strengthening our partnership with Ukraine.
“Through that enduring partnership, we are building the lasting ties between our countries that will see the young minds of the future move forward together, and foster connections that transcend borders.”
The Ukrainian GCSE is expected to be available for first teaching from September 2028 – with first assessments taking place in 2029.
Danny Jones -
22nd January 2024 
