Oldham

‘Think twice’ before travelling to Turkey for surgery, warn family whose loved one died alone

Leanne died after undergoing a gastric sleeve operation.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 17th July 2023

The family of a woman who died after travelling to Turkey for a gastric sleeve surgery have warned people to ‘think twice’ before doing the same.

Leanne Michelle Leary, 38, flew out to Istanbul to undergo the weight loss operation, which would reduce the size of her stomach.

But the mum-of-three from Oldham tragically died less than 24 hours after having the surgery on the 1 July.

A GoFundMe has now been set up to pay for Leanne’s funeral and to help her three children – 16-year-old Kyle, 14-year-old Caitlin, and nine-year-old Keavey.

Leanne’s husband Steven said that she believed the surgery was ‘absolutely safe’ after researching packages in Turkey, the Manchester Evening News reports.

She chose to undergo the operation believing it would give ‘quality of life to herself and her children’.

On the family’s fundraising page, she’s described as ‘the most caring and compassionate person you would ever wish to meet’.

It also stated: “In order to support someone you need to invest in that person, so let me tell you about Leanne Michelle. She was the first person everyone went to for support and she is well known in the community for supporting others going through a hard time and we would often see posts on Facebook asking for support for women and children who needed help to restart their life.

“Leanne had a open heart, open arms and ears and listened and supported anyone who needed to be heard. Leanne was loyal, hardworking and the most loving person you could ever wish to meet and her friends and family would echo that sentiment.

“Please can you help us to raise £10,000 to support her family to lay her to rest and for her children to start a new life without her. It’s not going to be easy for 3 children or her family and friends to move on as she has left a huge void, but we know that you will want to support a woman who supported everyone who asked for help. Thank you for reading this and we hope that we have touched your heart enough to help us.”

You can donate to the GoFundMe page here.

Featured image: GoFundMe

Oldham

Cooking classes aimed at getting students ready for university are taking place near Manchester

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

A cooking workshop has launched just in time to teach students kitchen hacks as they prepare for university, and it’s less than an hour from Manchester. 

With September just around the corner and the inevitable bedroom-packing, car-cramming, finance-faffing action already underway, there’s only one thing left to box off – cooking.

That’s where Saddleworth Cookery School steps in, with a five hour culinary experience that hopes to teach aspiring academics how to chef up some budget-friendly foodie feasts.

Located in Diggle, this cooking class will not only provide you with some essential cooking skills, but also aim to boost your confidence in the kitchen environment ahead of university. 

There's a cooking workshop aimed at University students taking place near Manchester / Credit : Brooke Cagle via Unsplash / Adbulmajeed Hassan via Pixabay
There's a cooking workshop aimed at University students taking place near Manchester / Credit : Brooke Cagle via Unsplash / Adbulmajeed Hassan via Pixabay
A cooking workshop aimed at university students is taking place near Manchester / Credit : Brooke Cagle via Unsplash / Adbulmajeed Hassan via Pixabay

Throughout the session, you will learn how to prepare meals for yourself that are healthy and cost-effective, and also tailored to students and their lifestyles.

This cooking class doesn’t just show you how to batch cook a meal or two either, they also provide reassurance for students who may be anxious about food safety, storage, and preparation.

The dishes made within the workshop can be adapted and modified to suit all dietary requirements subject to prior notice – meaning veggies and vegans, this one’s for you too.

Anyone looking to advance their kitchen knowledge or start from scratch must be 16 years or older, and you can also attend without a parent or guardian.

Each participant will leave the session with a selection of recipes, as well as a shopping list, and even a goody bag containing some starting essentials to becoming a kitchen conqueror.

Cooking for yourself may seem daunting, but this kitchen has lots of positive feedback – with one user noting: “Thank you so much Pam and her wonderful, helpful and welcoming team,” while another added: “Kate taught us tons of recipes in a super relaxed and friendly setting.”

Read more:

The ‘Get ready for University Cooking Class’ is taking place at Saddleworth Cookery School in Diggle across a range of dates, and you can find key info and get in touch with them directly HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images – Kevin McCutcheon via Unsplash

Oldham

Police appeal for witnesses after body of woman recovered from reservoir in Oldham

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

An urgent appeal for witnesses has been issued after the body of a woman was recovered from a reservoir in Oldham.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that emergency services responded to an incident at Strinesdale Reservoir, in Oldham, after receiving reports of a woman getting into difficulty in the water this past weekend. 

The incident was said to have taken place at around 4:50pm on Sunday 17 August 2025.

Sadly, despite the prompt call to emergency services, the woman lost her life and her body was subsequently recovered from the water.

Police say there are believed to be ‘no suspicious circumstances’ surrounding the woman’s death, and are instead focusing their investigations on trying to understand what happened by calling on witnesses for information. 

“We are appealing for witnesses who may have seen her as she entered the water,” GMP said in its witness appeal.

Officers are also keep to learn more about the moments prior to her entering the water, and are urging anyone with information to come forward and help with enquiries. 

Read more:

Can you help?

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting log 2357 17/08/25, or by use the LiveChat service on the GMP website at www.gmp.police.uk.  

Independent charity Crimestoppers can also be contacted, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons / Geograph

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