News
Harry Maguire announced as an official patron for The Children’s Hospital Charity in Sheffield
Maguire is still deeply connected with his hometown.
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.
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.”
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.”
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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.
Well in, Harry.
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Featured Images — Harry Maguire/The Children’s Hospital Charity (via Instagram)
News
Man jailed following series of ‘violent’ knife attacks in Wigan town centre last summer
Emily Sergeant
A man has been sentenced this week following a series of ‘violent’ knife attacks in Wigan town centre last summer.
Charles McMurray, of Satchel Close in Wigan, appeared at Bolton Crown Court yesterday where he pleaded guilty to multiple counts of Section 18 wounding with intent, threatening a person with a bladed article, and threats to kill following a distressing incident in Wigan town centre last summer.
The court heard that McMurray arrived on Wallgate at around 6:33am on 9 August 2025 before entering a taxi office, where he stabbed two men without warning.
The victims fled, and McMurray pursued them towards the town centre.
McMurray then went on to threaten a passer‑by at Wigan bus station and held a knife to the man’s stomach. A short time later, he located the injured victims on Standishgate and assaulted one of them again. Following that assault, he chased after another member of the public with the knife shouting that he was going to kill him.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers arrived shortly after 6:50am and found McMurray in possession of the knife, before he was subsequently quickly arrested at the scene.
McMurray has now been sentenced to nine years and nine months behind bars, which police say is a ‘testament to the brave victims’ who gave their accounts.
Speaking following McMurray’s sentencing this week, Detective Constable Harris from Wigan CID, who led the investigation, said: “This was an entirely unprovoked attack which left multiple victims requiring hospital treatment. McMurray is a dangerous and violent offender who is now safely behind bars.
“Knives have no place on our streets, and we hope today’s sentence shows just how seriously we take knife crime. Our communities should feel safe where they live and work, and we are committed to tackling knife crime to ensure no family has to face their loved ones being harmed.
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“It is a testament to the brave victims who not only endured this attack but had the courage to provide detailed accounts together with the impact this has had on them, that we have been able to ensure McMurray has been brought to justice.”
Featured Image – GMP
News
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.”
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Featured image: GMP
Danny Jones -
19th January 2024 
