The 88-year-old had been diagnosed with bone cancer after breaking his arm, but had managed to beat the disease.
At the time of his diagnosis, Ron’s wife Gwen was dealing with a secondary tumour from a previous breast cancer, which had spread to her rib, spine and bowel. She died in April 2022.
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In a new JustGiving page set up to raise money for a memorial bench, their son Paul wrote: “Gwen and Ron Roose were two of the kindest, generous, caring people, they touched the lives of so many in so many different ways.”
He added: “On the 28th November Dad vanished and after a huge police response a body was recovered in the river six weeks later on the 7th January
“The support of friends family and neighbours has been amazing. Mum and Dad didn’t want funerals or a fuss but i would LOVE to be able to put a bench in [Fletcher Moss] in their memory so their friends and family all have a little place where they can remember Gwen and Ron.”
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Detective Superintendent Neil Jones said: “Our condolences are with Mr Roose’s family and we would also like to thank the members of the public who helped with the search or shared our appeal.”
In a further statement issued to the Manchester Evening News, Paul added that the couple were ‘pillars of the community’.
He told the paper: “For the last couple of years we’ve been dealing with cancer with both of them. Mum’s cancer spread to her bowel and she passed away in April last year.
“She had chemo and she died on end-of-life meds with dad holding her hand for 19 hours. They had been married 53 years.”
Paul also said that he wasn’t sure if his father Ron had just gone for a walk and slipped into the river, but that even before he was found the family knew he ‘wouldn’t be coming home’.
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You can donate to the family’s Just Giving page here.
Featured image: GMP
News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Daisy Jackson -
16th January 2023 
