Manchester City’s Jack Grealish has continued his habit of reaching out to those in need by donating £5,000 to a student with leukaemia who has sadly been given just “weeks to live”.
20-year-old Dylan Lamb from Staffordshire was tragically diagnosed with Precursor T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in April last year after returning home from university with complaints of lower back pain and concerning test results went on to return an “extremely high white blood cell count”.
Despite being told he was in remission in July 2022 after “intense combination chemotherapy”, nine months on from his recovery and having somehow managed to endure countless treatments, a stem cell transplant and passed his uni exams, he was informed the leukaemia had returned in the last few weeks.
Now, after being given the heartbreaking news that the aggressive form of cancer means “he will not have years, we are talking weeks, his family are hoping to raise £500,000 to send Dylan to America for a clinical trial in a last-ditch attempt at potentially life-saving treatment.
Credit: Jack Grealish (via Instagram)Credit: Phoebe Cole, Dylan’s girlfriendGrealish donated £5k towards the student’s leukaemia treatment fundraiser.
Having come across the fundraiser set up by Dylan’s mum Kim and his auntie, Kelly Payne, Grealish didn’t hesitate in donating a whopping £5k to the cause to get the ball rolling even faster.
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Moreover, after sharing the GoFundMe page on his Instagram story, awareness surrounding Dylan’s battle with leukaemia has increased exponentially and more and more people are not donating to help his family raise the money for his treatment.
After the 26-year-old City and England star shared his story, Dylan’s fundraiser has now reached over £93,000 — nearly a fifth of the minimum target — with more than 5,100 people generously donating to the page. You’re all legends, every single one of you.
As for Dylan, although his family are urging people to keep donating, they said they “cannot even begin to express enough our gratitude for all the donations, shares, and messages of support (the messages really are helping us to stay positive)…
“Please, please, please keep pushing and sharing to help get Dylan the treatment he needs and deserves. He has fought so long and hard, let’s carry him the rest of the way. Much love!”
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You can do your bit by donating to Dylan’s GoFundMe HERE and, hopefully, his family will reach their target in time to give him one last fighting chance.
Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this time and we’re all behind you, Dylan — get well soon.
Featured Image — GoFundMe/Jack Grealish (via Instagram)
Sport
Tributes pour in as former Rochdale and Bury midfielder Joe Thompson dies at just 36
Danny Jones
Awful news to share with you this bank holiday, as former Rochdale and Bury FC midfielderJoe Thompson has sadly passed away. He was just 36 years old.
Born in Bath, he spent time at both Man United and Rochdale’s academies before representing the first team, as well as representing fellow Greater Manchester club Bury and other teams in the North West – a region where he built a life with his partner and his two kids.
The ex-pro ultimately had to retire from football following a long battle with cancer, having been given the all clear from stage four lymphoma (a type of blood cancer) twice before during his playing days, before tragically receiving a heartbreaking third diagnosis last April.
News of his death broke on Good Friday, 18 April, having “passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning”. His wife Chantelle and eldest daughter Thailula shared a lengthy and heartbreaking statement on social media.
Confirming that he passed surrounded by his family, they wrote: “Joe has made such an impact on so many people and we are all forever grateful for him blessing us with his presence and for being so strong and staying with us as long as he did against all the odds.
“He was the most Incredible husband, son, brother, friend and father to our beautiful daughters, who will now carry his light and legacy on, and I will continue to keep filling them up with Joe’s love every single day […] I know he will be deeply missed by everyone and the world will not be the same without his contagious energy.”
Addressing their followers directly, who have been unwavering in their support for Joe and his family over recent years, The Thompsons went on to add: “Long may his legacy and impact live on! Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey with us… We are all forever grateful.”
They also announced that his funeral will be an open service to allow others inspired by his story, charity work, from his Dale days saving the club from relegation and more to pay their respects, with more details to follow soon.
Countless figures from around the footballing world have joined the likes of the Red Devils and his other former clubs in paying touching tributes to the inspiring individual.
A man who epitomised our club's values ❤️
We are saddened to share that Joe Thompson has passed away.
A warm personality who had a deep connection with our club from a young age, our thoughts are with Joe's family and friends at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/40ddQpyRTi
Very sad news, to battle cancer once is extremely brave but to battle it three times is not just brave but you need a strong mindset and obviously Joe had that to keep fighting. Thoughts with Joe’s family and friends.
Joe and his family were friends with our very own Amy here at The Manc, so it goes without saying that we offer our deepest condolences to his family, friends and everyone whose lives he touched – our thoughts are with all of them at this difficult time.
She said: “To one of the most incredible men I have ever met – Joe it was an unbelievable honour to have known you, you were the light in any room, and I can’t believe we have to carry on in this world without you.
“To the guy with the best laugh and best waves, you will forever be missed.”
Inside Manchester’s new padel club with a Pot Kettle Black cafe and courtside cocktail bar
Daisy Jackson
Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the world, and it’s really picking up speed in Manchester now too with another city centre club opening this month.
The Pollen Club is a little different to the others, in that it’s fully undercover and protected from Manchester’s less-than-favourable weather.
And another thing that makes it a must-visit is the cafe attached to it – a third site for the beloved Pot Kettle Black.
The Pollen Club and Pot Kettle Black have both taken over a prominent city centre spot just off Deansgate, at the foot of the recently-opened Treehouse Hotel.
There are two state-of-the-art padel courts inside, with a mezzanine terrace for enjoy Pot Kettle Black’s offerings.
In summer, there are plans to launch a bar downstairs too, where you can sip spritzes courtside from loungers and swing seats.
The exciting new Manchester padel club will host pop up events, DJ takeovers and an extended evening food offering.
Pot Kettle Black are part of the new padel clubInside Manchester’s new padel club, The Pollen ClubPot Kettle Black are part of the new padel club
And even if you’re not heading inside The Pollen Club, Pot Kettle Black has a grab-and-go hatch facing onto Blackfriars Street, making their delicious coffees, sandwiches and pastries (from their own bakery Half Dozen Other) even more accessible.
Commenting on the opening of the new site, Pot Kettle Black co-owner, Mark Flanagan said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have opened our third Pot Kettle Black site at The Padel Club. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team.
“After ten years in the city we’ve been enjoying seeing some familiar faces stopping by for a coffee and we can’t wait to get started on our programme of summer events!”
Danny Jones -
17th July 2023 
