Manchester United and England defender Harry Maguire has been officially announced as the latest patron of the much-loved Children’s Hospital Charity in Sheffield.
Based in South Yorkshire where the Man United was born and raised, having worked his way up through the youth ranks at Sheffield United between 2011-2014, The Children’s Hospital Charity (CHC) unveiled Maguire as one of their newest ambassadors on Wednesday, becoming the 14th famous face to do so.
One of many athletes who have committed themselves to the cause which helps not only treat children but change their lives, the former Blade didn’t hesitate to help repay his local area, stating: “Growing up, Sheffield Children’s was always there for me and my siblings.
As a father and one of four Maguire children himself, the England international said he was “honoured to be invited to be a patron of this amazing cause” that is so close to his family’s heart.
The Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust is one of only three standalone children’s trusts in the UK — Alder Hey and Great Ormond Street being the two others — the charity is currently fundraising for a number of projects including a new major trauma unit and a helipad.
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Maguire went on to say, “Being a dad myself and speaking to the parents of patients when I visited [back in December 2023], I can’t imagine how tough it must be.
“The charity does amazing things and I’m looking forward to getting involved and making a difference.”
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As for the CHC itself, CEO John Armstrong said he was “ecstatic” to have Maguire as a patron, adding that “the charity helps Sheffield Children’s to go above and beyond the NHS provision, and having Harry on board to support us is an amazing achievement.”
Given the amount of stick the 30-year-old centre-back has received on the pitch over the past couple of years, it’s nice to see him not only having recovered some form but people be given a reminder that he is by all accounts a very sound bloke.
He’s also done countless work with the Manchester United Foundation, as well as local hospitals and charities around Greater Manchester.
Featured Images — Harry Maguire/The Children’s Hospital Charity (via Instagram)
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Family pay tribute to father-of-two killed in Rochdale plane crash
Daisy Jackson
The family of a man killed in a light aircraft crash in Rochdale have paid tribute to a ‘deeply loving father and devoted husband’.
36-year-old Arian Abbasi was one of two men killed when an aircraft crashed into farmland in Littleborough in Rochdale last week, after travelling from Birmingham.
Emergency services rushed to the scene shortly after 11am on Tuesday 3 February, but sadly pronounced both men dead at the scene.
It’s believed there was no one else on board the aircraft, and there were no reported injuries on the ground.
Now, Arian’s family have issued a moving tribute to him. He was a pilot from Harrow in Greater London.
They described him as being a ‘deeply loving’ family man, whose passion was flying.
He was about to embark on a new chapter with a commercial airline in just a few weeks’ time.
His family said: “He lived his life for his family and friends, giving them his constant love, strength, and support.
“Flying was his passion, and he was on the brink of beginning an exciting new chapter with a commercial airline on 23 February; a dream he had worked toward with immense pride and determination.”
GMP investigations are now focused on finding part of the parachute system which contains propellant and hasn’t yet been located.
Finding the device has been ‘very difficult’ due to the nature of the terrain and the wide area over which it may have travelled.
It measures approximately 10 cm in diameter and 30 cm long and has a red anodised finish. It weighs less than 2 kg. It may have a silver metal collar attached at one end.
GMP said: “Please do not handle the device if you see it. If discovered, contact the police immediately via 101 or our Live Chat at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 1056 of 03/02/26.”
Homeless children in Greater Manchester will now get free bus travel to and from school
Emily Sergeant
Children who are currently living in temporary housing in Greater Manchester are set to get extra support with school travel.
In a move that was announced by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) at the end of last week, and following years of campaigning, homeless children living in temporary accommodation are now set to get free school travel on all Bee Network buses.
TfGM says it understands that some children end up a long way from their school when placed into temporary accommodation, and this leaves parents or carers with the difficult choice of either having to move them to a closer school, which ultimately disrupts their education, or having to pay unexpected travel costs.
While the Greater Manchester Strategy – which is the plan for the city region’s next decade – commits to reducing the number of families and children in temporary accommodation, and measures are also being taken to make sure residents have the support they need to ‘access, improve, and retain’ a decent, affordable home, this doesn’t tackle the immediate issue.
Homeless children in Greater Manchester will now get free school bus travel / Credit: TfGM
So, to help those families when they ‘need it most’, free bus travel to and from school is set to be provided, as subject to approval of this year’s Combined Authority budget.
The move comes after Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham asked TfGM last year to look at options to help with the cost of travel.
“Using our locally-controlled Bee Network buses to support families when they need it most is the right thing to do,” Andy Burnham commented.
Of course, the long-term solution is no kids in TA and we’re working with our councils to achieve this in the next few years.
We can do it because GM will soon hit the point where we are building more council and social homes every year than we’re losing through right-to-buy. 👍🏻
“A move into temporary accommodation is often a massive upheaval for families and can be a worrying time. With this measure, the cost of travel to school will be one less thing for families to worry about.
“It will mean parents and carers don’t have to choose between an extra demand on their household budget and keeping their children with friends and teachers they know and trust.”
Danny Jones -
19th January 2024 
