Manchester City and England defender John Stones has dedicated Sunday night’s win over Slovakia to Dillan Ramsey-Aksehir, who sadly died during the match.
The Three Lions managed a last-gasp victory over their round of 16 opponents to secure their place in the quarter-finals against Switzerland, but while John Stones and co. were representing their country, the family of five-year-old Dillan Ramsey-Aksehir were sadly in mourning after his tragic passing.
Unfortunately, the leukaemia returned for a fourth time this February following a bone marrow transplant and mum Amy Ramsey confirmed he passed away at 6:15pm while most eyes were fixed on the England game. Learning of the news shortly after, Stones wasted no time in dedicating the win in his name.
As you can see, the Man City centre-back wrote: “Tonight was for Dillan. A special little boy that touched mine and my family’s hearts. He’s an inspiration to us all.
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“Rest in peace little fighter, our thoughts are with his family during this unimaginably difficult time.”
The heartfelt gesture which has no doubt been felt throughout the England camp was met with warm applause back home, with people replying, “Absolute class”, “Thank you for all you and your family did to try [and] help Dilly” and one person adding: “What football is all about.” We couldn’t agree more.
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As for mum Amy, she posted the gut-wrenching news on Instagram along with a tear-jerking picture of her ever-smiling child, assuring that “he wasn’t in pain and was still talking and making us laugh until he took his last breath.”
Sharing an update on Monday, she said: “I would like to honour Dilly in the best way possible, but also in a sensible way. We would really like to take some time away, take his ashes somewhere nice and make up for lost time with the girls. Possibly pay some rent in advance for a while to relieve the stress of this…
“If you can help take some of the stress away so that we can keep things as they are and pay off the bills it would be a huge help.”
The comments are as emotional and full of love as you would expect, with countless parents offering their condolences and everyone uniting in labelling “the bravest boy” and an “inspiration.”
Our thoughts are with all of his loved ones during this unimaginable time and we sincerely hope his story can serve as added motivation for Stones and the rest of the England squad to go far in honour of Dillan and his memory.
Most importantly, the fundraiser set up by his family is still active if you want to show your support and donate to the page by helping put money towards funeral arrangements.
Sara Cox tipped to replace Scott Mills for Eurovision 2026
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester’s very own Sara Cox is reportedly set to replace Scott Mills at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest following his sacking from the BBC.
Mills was axed by the news and entertainment corporation on Monday, 1 April, for ‘misconduct’, which has now been revealed to involve a historic relationship with a boy aged under 16.
While the fallout surrounding Scott Mills is only just beginning, the task of finding his replacement in multiple roles has already begun – though it looks like one may have already been decided.
Now reported by multiple outlets, it appears as though Bolton-born Sara Cox is first in line to pick up Mills’ co-hosting duties for this year’s Eurovision show.
Having already been involved with coverage of the event on multiple ocassions in the past, it now appears that she’ll be in post for the Grand Final too.
As a long-standing radio and TV staple, it only takes a quick look at social media to see how much backing she has already received in the past, with a post from last year reading, “Great to have Sara Cox back commentating on Eurovision“, and others from over a decade ago praising her past presenting.
In fact, it might not end just here either, as many are already calling for her to replace the 53-year-old breakfast show host.
From her days as a Radio 1 favourite to becoming a BBC mainstay across the board, her popularity only seems to have grown over the last decade, especially thanks to her charity fundraising efforts.
While an official announcement is yet to be made, the feeling is that it is all but confirmed for her to take over from Mills as part of the Eurovision commentary team.
As for the now vacant early morning slot on BBC Radio 2, the likes of Claudio Winkleman, Vernon Kay, fellow Manc Nick Grimshaw, the aforementioned Rylan, and several others have all been floated as potential stand-ins/future full-time hosts.
Do you think both should be given to Sara Cox, and if not, who would you like to see replace Scott Mills?
Millions of UK workers to get pay rises from today as National Living and Minimum Wage increases
Emily Sergeant
Millions of workers across the UK are set to begin receiving substantial pay rises from today.
After the Government announced back in November that it would take the recommendations made by the Low Pay Commission, and increase both the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage, those changes have now come into force in a bid to ensure people on lower incomes are ‘properly rewarded’ for their work.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Low Pay Commission, it’s an independent body made up of employers, trade unions, and experts whose role is to advise the Government on the minimum wage.
As mentioned, the rate recommendations introduced today were agreed unanimously by the Commission.
This means that the living wage, for eligible workers who are aged 21 and over, has now risen by 4.1% from today to £12.71 an hour.
For a full-time worker, that means a pay increase of £900 a year.
Millions of workers in the UK are getting pay rises from today / Credit: John Kakuk (via Unsplash) | Pexels
The National Minimum Wage rate for workers aged 18 to 20-year-olds has also increased today by 8.5% to £10.85 an hour, and then for 16 to 17-year-olds, and those on apprenticeships, the rate has increased by 6% to £8 an hour.
“The recommendations we made last autumn sought to balance the need to protect the economy and labour market, whilst providing a real-terms increase for the lowest-paid members of society,” commented Baroness Philippa Stroud, who is Chair of the Low Pay Commission.
“A lot has changed since we gave our advice to the Government last autumn, and we are now beginning to gather evidence for recommendations later this year.
“The current economic uncertainty makes it essential that the Commission hears from those affected by the minimum wage and builds consensus for evidence-based recommendations.
Workers aged 21 and over are now legally entitled to the National Living Wage after the age threshold for the highest rate was lowered from 23 in 2024.
National Minimum Wage rates are available to workers aged 16 upwards.
Danny Jones -
1st July 2024 
