The Greater Manchester rugby community has suffered a tragic blow as rising star Logan Holgate has sadly died at the age 18.
The talented young Cumbrian prospect had been playing for Hensingham Amateur Rugby League Football Club (ARLFC), but was on the under-18 pathway for Salford Red Devils.
He also helped guide the England Community Lions to victory in the under-19s European Championship in Italy in 2022, when the talented young team defeated France in the final.
The teen was due to join the Greater Manchester rugby league side’s reserves team this season but was sadly announced as having passed away on Wednesday, 12 January.
Everyone at Salford Red Devils are saddened to hear about the sudden passing of Logan Holgate.
Logan played for our U18s pathway alongside @hensingham_arl and was set to move up to the reserve team this season.
Dedications have been pouring in for the future Red Devil with the England Community Lions Programme paying tribute to “a brilliant young man and team mate” who always impressed with his “work ethic, infectious attitude and quick humour”.
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After breaking onto the scene in an impressive debut in the under 16s win over Wales at Colwyn Bay in 2021 – following in the footsteps of his brothers, Ellison and Fletcher, as all three siblings proudly represented their country – and it wasn’t long before he was fast-tracked for older age groups.
Even despite his tender age, many of those fortunate enough to play with him insisted he will leave “a lasting legacy”, as former teams including St Benedicts RUFC, Moor Row FC and more all paying tribute.
His former secondary school, St Benedict’s Catholic High, and even local environment and energy authority, Sellafield Ltd. (where he served as an apprentice), have issued emotional messages following the deeply saddening news.
They described him as a “popular… dedicated student who lived for his sport” and who always brought joy to his fellow classmates with his “amazing sense of humour”.
At present, the exact nature of his death is still unknown but some outlets are reporting that the suspected cause is cardiac arrest.
Writing on Facebook, his cousin Georgina Lily-anne Holgate said: “Our hearts are truely broken, and I don’t think they can ever be fixed… My childhood is one thing I’ll never forget we we’re surrounded by love and we all had the best bond”. As for his brother Fletcher, he simply wrote: “Love you bro”.
A GoFundMe page has been set to help Logan’s family during this difficult time, with nearly £20,000 already raised in contributions. You can donate HERE.
Our thoughts go out to his Logan Holgate’s family, friends and former teammates. Rest in peace.
Featured Image — GoFundMe/Salford Red Devils (via Twitter)
News
NHS says it’s battling with ‘worst case scenario’ as flu cases surge nationwide
Emily Sergeant
Flu hospitalisations have surged by more than half in just one week, plunging the NHS into the ‘worst case scenario’.
Shocking new figures have revealed that an nn average of 2,660 patients per day were in a hospital bed with flu last week, which is the highest-ever for this time of year and up 55% up on last week – which, when put into perspective, means there are enough flu patients each day to fill more than three whole hospital trusts.
NHS bosses have warned that the total has already increased sharply since the week covered by the data, and at this time, there is thought to be no ‘peak’ in sight.
These new figures come as demand for A&Es and ambulance services are already soaring.
The number of patients in hospital with flu has risen by over 50% in the last week, reaching a record number for this time of year – and numbers continue to grow.
New monthly figures showed that A&E attendances were a record for November at 2.35 million and more than 30,000 higher than November 2024, while there were 48,814 more ambulance incidents compared to last year.
The record-breaking demand also comes just ahead of thousands of resident doctors going on strike this week from 17-22 December – with ‘major disruption’ expected for patients ahead of Christmas.
The public are advised to attend any planned appointments scheduled during the strikes, unless they have been contacted to reschedule.
Primary and urgent and emergency care services will continue to be available for those who need them, during the industrial action.
NHS says it’s battling with the ‘worst case scenario’ as flu cases surge nationwide / Credit: Pxhere
The public should use 111 online as their first port of call for urgent but not life-threatening issues so that they can be directed to the best place for their needs, while patients who need emergency medical care should continue to use 999 or come forward to A&E as normal.
“With record demand for A&E and ambulances and an impending resident doctors strike, this unprecedented wave of super flu is leaving the NHS facing a worst-case scenario for this time of year – with staff being pushed to the limit to keep providing the best possible care for patients,” commented Professor Meghana Pandit, who is the NHS National Medical Director.
“Even worse, it continues to rise and the peak is not in sight yet, so the NHS faces an extremely challenging few weeks ahead.
“We have prepared earlier for winter than ever before, and stress-tested services to ensure people have a range of ways to get the help they need and avoid needing to go to A&E.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting described the flu surge as a ‘tidal wave’.
“We are working with the NHS to make sure it is able to cope with this as best as possible,” he concluded.
Featured Image – Stephen Andrews (via Unsplash)
News
Erling Haaland dresses up as Santa and hands out Christmas presents in Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
Manchester City star Erling Haaland has doubled as Father Christmas in his latest YouTube stunt, dressing up as Santa and handing out presents to local kids in the new episode.
We’re starting to think he might be one of the most likeable footballers on the planet right now.
The Norwegian footballer recently surpassed Alan Shearer’s ‘fastest to 100 goals record’ in the Premier League and has been well and truly back to his best as Man City continue to rediscover their form, but the big blonde number nine has been delighting both on and off the pitch of late.
For starters, even before any of the season’s givings began, we got the giggle just from our first glimpse of the thumbnail.
Yes, Haaland definitely has a habit of leaning into the humorous side of his celebrity status, having already dressed up as the Joker for Halloween in one of the first episodes published on his still relatively new YouTube channel.
However, the 25-year-old got up to some more heartwarming activities this time around, swapping the face paint, green wig and stripey suit for a red coat, hat, some little glasses and a big white beard.
With the video itself showing him getting into character and loading his car with a sack full of presents, he then goes on to visit multiple houses to dish out the surprise gifts.
While the title and description state that he drove around the streets of 0161, it’s hard to tell where exactly he went, but we’d guess it was more around Alderley Edge and/or the Cheshire side of the Greater Manchester borders.
One particular interaction between the disguised Blue and a young Red certainly produced a harmless little bit of comedy…
Either way, on the whole, this particular instalment was more wholesome than it was funny, and it’s always nice to see sports personalities and famous people spreading kindness.
Obviously, not everyone can afford to be as generous as a Premier League and world-famous international athlete, but it’s nevertheless a nice touch.
Danny Jones -
12th January 2023 
