A 10-year-old schoolboy from Denton has hit his target of raising over £2,000 for a local foodbank after completing a fitness endurance challenge.
After being inspired to take on the challenge thanks to seeing social media star and TV fitness guru, Joe Wicks, complete a 24-hour PE marathon last November, Theo Dunphy hatched a plan to “raise vital money” for the St Mary’s Haughton Green Foodbank in Denton.
“This is something we try to support regularly as a family.”
So, in order to raise “as much money as possible”, the 10-year-old Denton West End Primary School pupil decided to do 12 Joe Wicks’ HIIT fitness sessions back-to-back in a day, which would total almost four hours of exercise.
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And on Saturday, he achieved just that.
Ahead of undertaking the fitness challenge, Theo said he trained for 10 weeks to prepare for the big day and admits there were a few nerves as the preparation was “quite hard”, but halfway through his challenge, he was given a boost by a video message from his hero after his dad reached out on Twitter.
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Theo you are a legend mate. What a kind and inspiring young man you are. Let’s all get behind him today on his challenge to do 12 body coach HIIT sessions in a day ❤️😀 pic.twitter.com/QNfug8B5ju
As well as completing the 12 fitness sessions, and receiving the motivational message from Joe Wicks himself, Theo has also smashed his fundraising target by almost 10 times the £250 he was first looking to raise.
His JustGiving fundraiser now clocks in at over £2,440 and counting.
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That’s not all either, as if a shoutout by Joe Wicks wasn’t brilliant enough as it is, he was also cheered on by Wythenshawe-born Manchester United and England star, Marcus Rashford – who’s own mission to end child food poverty has helped thousands of children throughout the UK over the last year, and won him widespread praise in the process.
Even though the 10-year-old admits his loyalties actually lie with the blue side of the city – being both a Manchester City and Everton supporter – having an iconic local footballer name him a “superstar” is still an amazing achievement.
Theo was said to be “overjoyed” by Rashford’s message of support.
Theo’s parents, James and Kathryn Dunphy, said the youngster’s achievements have “brought a bit of positivity to the world at a time we all need it”.
Well done, Theo.
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You can donate to Theo’s mission of raising “as much money as possible” for St Mary’s Haughton Green Foodbank via his JustGiving page here.
‘Hairy men’ needed to play soldiers in returning major fantasy TV series
Thomas Melia
A huge TV series has issued an urgent casting call for, very specifically, ‘hairy men’ to play soldiers.
The exact show hasn’t been named in the casting call, but it’s definitely a major returning fantasy, and is reportedly House of the Dragon, the hit Game of Thrones spin-off.
This big on demand show is set to start filming in just two months’ time, meaning anyone considering shouldn’t wait to apply.
There are a list of key characteristics candidates should have if hoping for this role, including a great work ethic and a professional attitude, something all Mancs like to think we have.
The job description states that no prior acting experience is required, one of the only other things you need to be good at is waking up early (well that’s me out).
Most importantly, headhunters are looking for individuals to take on that have one big factor in common… lots of hair.
On the official website where you can submit your headshots and photos, you will find a mood board filled with ranging hairstyles that fit the desired look the show is going for.
Just one example of a long-haired man who fits the criteria for the returning series.Another similar hair style choice to the guide from the casting call.Credit via Unsplash
Most of the pictures on the site range from long curly locks to big bushy beards – it’s a shame Santa will be back in the North Pole by now.
All candidates must have grown-out hair, ‘overgrown scruff to longer beards’, this means no short, back and sides, or any ‘modern fades’ as stated by the casting team.
If the rumours are true and this turns out to be a shoot for House Of The Dragon, it would be great to see even more Northern talent feature in this show.
It wasn’t too long ago that fans and Mancs alike realised that actor Olivia Cooke, who plays Lady Alicent Hightower, was a local lass herself, born not too far away in Oldham.
One final and important note is that anyone who is likely to apply must make sure they’re 18+ and have a right to work in the UK.
Filming will take place across North Wales and the South East from March onwards, with rate of pay roughly £140-£300+ per day (depending on hours worked).
To apply for a chance to feature in the returning major fantasy series, you can do so by visiting the site HERE.
Greater Manchester set to be battered by ‘impactful’ heavy rain and wind this week
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester is set to be battered by some heavy rain and wind this week, according to the Met Office.
While things have seemed surprisingly more settled for the time of year over the last week or so, with clearer skies and chilly winter mornings being fairly commonplace, all that will change very soon, as the Met Office has forecasted that the UK is set to be battered by some ‘impactful’ heavy rain and strong winds as the week goes on.
Low pressure systems will bring a more ‘unsettled’ spell of weather, with a severe weather warning for wind issued for certain parts of the UK.
Today is expected to be filled with grey skies and light rain here in Greater Manchester, with cloud covering much of the rest of the country, and other outbreaks of rain elsewhere, whereas on Wednesday, the focus of rain will shift to southern England instead.
The weather looks set to turn more unsettled during the forthcoming week 🌧️ 🌬️
Thursday is where it’s set to take the biggest downturn though, as a front bringing heavy rain moves eastwards through the day, and it’s us here in North West England that are expected to see the highest accumulations too, with 20-30mm could falling over the hills, and some hill snow even possible over the Scottish mountains too.
A deep area of low pressure will also have ‘deepened rapidly’ by Thursday, bringing ‘strengthening winds’ to western parts of the UK along with it overnight, followed by more heavy rainfall.
Greater Manchester is set to be battered by ‘impactful’ heavy rain and wind this week / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“A very deep area of low pressure will bring a very unsettled, potentially disruptive, spell of weather to the UK through Friday and into Saturday,” explained Chris Almond, who is the Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist.
“Winds will begin to strengthen on Thursday night, with the peak gusts forecast through Friday in Northern Ireland and western Scotland. The wind will also be accompanied by heavy rain bringing some unpleasant conditions to end the week.
“We have issued a Yellow weather warning for wind, and with several days before the impactful weather, the forecast details are likely to be fine-tuned during the week, so stay tuned to your local forecast and keep up to date with Met Office warnings.”
Emily Sergeant -
29th March 2021 
