Vandals targeted the iconic Marcus Rashford mural in Withington over the weekend – daubing the work of art in offensive graffiti.
The mural was painted on the side of Coffee House Café by street artist Akse P19 in November to honour Rashford’s services to the city.
The Manchester United striker’s food campaign has conjured widespread praise and seen numerous accolades sent his way – including an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester, an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for 2020, and special recognition at the Pride of Britain Awards.
The mural went up last month as part of community street art project Withington Walls in tribute to Rashford’s work – but it was found defaced over the past weekend.
Rashford had previously expressed his pride at being painted by Akse P19 – sharing the completed mural (based on a photo shot by Daniel Cheetham) with his millions of followers on Twitter.
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“Ok I usually get embarrassed sharing these things because this journey was never really about me,” wrote the footballer.
“But I know this took a lot of time and effort [Aske P19] and I wanted to say thank you.”
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Rashford’s image is accompanied by a quote provided by his mother, which reads: “Take pride in knowing that your struggle will play the biggest role in your purpose.”
A separate mural dedicated to the footballer has also recently gone up in the city centre as part of a Burberry campaign.
Rashford teamed up with the fashion line last month as part of a youth charity project aimed at supporting young people around the world.
The new mural has been painted on the corner of Thomas Street and High Street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.
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Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic
Emily Sergeant
A new survey has revealed that seven in 10 NHS workers believe the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic if one should arise.
After the recent meningitis B outbreak in Kent last month raised the conversation of mass contagion once again, of course following the COVID-19 pandemic, a new YouGov survey of more than 1,000 NHS workers has now uncovered how well prepared staff in the health service think it is for another global pandemic.
The results show that 69% of staff surveyed think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic, and to make matters worse, 26% of those even say it’s ‘very poorly’ prepared.
Only one in five (22%) think the NHS is could properly handle another pandemic, but statistically, YouGov claims none of those surveyed said it’s ‘very well’ prepared.
Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic / Credit: Pxhere | Rawpixel
When workers were asked how the NHS’s level of preparedness now compares to prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 41% did concede that they think it is better prepared now than 2020, however 37% admitted they think it’s no better prepared.
16% actively think it’s less well-prepared now than it was prior to 2020.
This marked a new era of ‘transparency’ and ‘accountability’ in the NHS, with the league tables delivering on the Government’s promise to drive up standards, tackle variation in care, and ensure people get the high-quality service they rightly expect.
Every trust in England – from urgent and emergency care, through to elective operations and mental health services – will now be ranked quarterly against ‘clear and consistent’ standards.
Featured Image – Stephen Andrews (via Unsplash)
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Seven people arrested in Salford over plans to conduct coordinated mass shoplifting campaign
Emily Sergeant
Seven people have been arrested in Salford over plans to be part of a coordinated mass shoplifting campaign of ‘high end’ retailers and supermarkets across the country.
According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), it is believed the group had been training for ‘non‑violent direct action’ in Salford as part of a coordinated mass shoplifting campaign, where they were intending to steal goods from high‑value stores and major supermarkets across the country, and then redistribute them to places such as food banks.
Working in collaboration with the Metropolitan Police Service, officers arrested one male and six females in Salford yesterday afternoon (Sunday 19 April) on suspicion of conspiracy to steal.
They all remain in police custody for questioning.
It has been reported in multiple sources, such as the BBC and the MEN, that the individuals arrested are believed to be part of the Take Back Power Action Group.
Take Back Power Action Group describes itself on its website as a ‘nonviolent civil resistance group’ that is aiming to ‘put the 99% in charge’ through citizen’s assemblies.
“We are ordinary people from all walks of life who believe that in order to fix Britain, taxing the rich is an essential first step, and we want ordinary people to decide how,” a statement on the group’s website declares.
Speaking following the arrests over the weekend, Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said: “This joint operation with the Metropolitan Police has resulted in the arrests of seven individuals who we believe were planning to take part in coordinated national activity targeting high‑value retail stores.
“We are taking robust action to disrupt this type of organised criminality, and it will not be tolerated in Greater Manchester.
The Manc -
14th December 2020 
