A local mum is planning to buy a new home that will “transform the life” of her disabled daughter after winning the lottery.
Trawling through Rightmove with no luck had become a daily occurrence for Nichola Galley.
The 43-year-old, from Dukinfield in Tameside, had been checking the property website every day for over four years after local Council bosses refused planning permission to adapt their family home to suit the needs of her severely disabled daughter Ava.
Ava has a genetic condition that has continually perplexed medical professionals, and is considered to be so rare that it doesn’t even have a name.
The 13-year-old was born with the condition, and it has left her non-verbal, unable to walk without the assistance of others, and needing to be tube fed – but despite all in her way, the miracle teen has defied all the odds.
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Dukinfield mum wins the lottery and ‘a new life’ for disabled daughter / Credit: Supplied
“Ava’s condition is so rare it doesn’t have a name,” Nichola explained.
“Most pregnancies either miscarry or are stillborn, and doctors didn’t expect her to still be with us at this age, but she likes to keep us all on our toes.”
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Nichola – who works at a local supermarket cafe, and is also Ava’s full-time carer after giving up her career in design when her daughter was born – and her Creative Director husband Paul, 47, had to turn part of their downstairs dining room into a bedroom for Ava as she got older, as their current home is no longer suitable for her needs.
She's full-time carer to her daughter Ava, who has a disability, so this money means her family can now move to a more accessible house that will transform Ava's life ❤️👏 pic.twitter.com/8IxbMC6vDo
“Ava is getting older and bigger so we need a downstairs bedroom, a wet room, and open plan living so she can move around safely,” Nichola continued, “Hopefully it won’t come to it, but we might need hoists to lift her and everything that comes with that too.
“We don’t actually want to move.
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“We did apply for planning permission to have a downstairs wet room bathroom for Ava, but it was denied.”
Nichola Galley has won £55,555 on the People’s Postcode Lottery / Credit: People’s Postcode Lottery
But now, Nichola has won a life-changing £55,555 as part of the People’s Postcode Lottery’s ‘Millionaire Street’, along with a handful of her neighbours, and it means the family can move from their unsuitable semi to a new home that will “transform the life” of Ava.
“I can’t believe we’ve won that amount of money. It’s going to be so useful that it’s hard not to get emotional”.
Featured Image – People’s Postcode Lottery
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The smash-hit daytime rave where you can still be in bed early is returning to Manchester
Clementine Hall
That’s right: Day Fever, the daytime rave designed to still get you tucked in at a reasonable hour, is coming back to Manchester city centre this year.
Following their biggest raft of shows across the UK and Ireland in 2025, the smash-hit night out that is very much aimed at those of us 30 and over – but fellow sleepy heads are obviously more than welcome – Day Fever are targeting big things in 2026.
Launched in early 2024 by actress Vicky McClure and Reverend & The Makers frontman, Jon McClure, Day Fever has become a cultural sensation.
From its debut in Sheffield to a tour that sees thousands of ravers hitting the dance floor each month, the message is clear: people want to dance and let loose, but still be in bed before 9pm – and let’s be honest, who can blame them?
The founders (L-R): Jon McClure, James O’Hara, Jonny Owen, Vicky and Chris McClure. (supplied)
Running from 3-8pm, Day Fever provides a proper night out that doesn’t completely write you off for the entire weekend.
“It started as a WhatsApp idea”, says Jon McClure. “Jonny just said, ‘A daytime disco, how good would that be?’ We’re all a bit nuts, so we just said, ‘Come on then!’”
“It feels like a massive house party at your nan’s,” laughs Vicky. “No drama, no egos, just people acting daft, getting dressed up, and having the best time.”
From here in 0161 and our mates over in Leeds, to Newcastle, Glasgow and many more, each Day Fever event has its own unique flavour.
There’ll be local DJs who know their crowds keep the energy high with a nostalgic mix of Northern Soul, disco, indie, and 90s classics. “Manchester goes mad for Oasis,” says Jon, “and if Vicky’s there, we have to play Whitney, it’s non-negotiable!”
For starters, just look at the turnout they got over Christmas:
Salford RLFC finally confirm new head and assistant coaches
Danny Jones
Salford RLFC have finally announced their new head and assistant coach picks as the new rugby league season fast approaches.
The Salfordian phoenix club had already confirmed they’d reached provisional pre-contract agreements with a new boss and several players following the news of the consortium bid that kept the sporting institution alive, but now they officially have a new leadership team to get behind.
Following Salford Red Devils’ resurrection by the aforementioned investment group – though it still remains unclear whether this will eventually include a full rebranding – familiar face Mike Grady and his assistant Dave Hewitt are now in place.
They replace ex-boss Paul Rowley, now at St Helens, and his assistant, Kurt Haggerty, who both left in October and September of last year, respectively.
Sharing the news in an official statement on their new Instagram account amid a major overhaul of their online presence, the local side wrote: “We are proud to announce Mike as the new Head Coach of Salford RLFC, joined by Dave Hewitt as Assistant Coach.
“Mike brings over 12 years of coaching experience across club and international rugby, most recently leading the Salford Women’s team and previously coaching at Widnes.
“His appointment marks another big step forward in our rebuild, combining experience, passion and a deep understanding of what Salford rugby league stands for: hard work, resilience and exciting rugby.
“Joining him, Dave Hewitt, former St Helens and England Academy player, will focus on developing our attacking play and nurturing new talent.”
Hewitt also played for Oldham RLFC across three spells, as well as Rochdale Hornets.
As for the board, they sign off by adding: “Together, Mike and Dave represent the energy and belief driving this new era for Salford RLFC.”
With several ‘key announcements’ soon to be made, we can expect a better idea of what the new and hopefully improved Salford will look like in time for their opener against the Roughyeds in the Championship on Friday, 16 January.
It is worth noting that the club have yet to reveal any actual squad signings.
As for co-owner Caton-Brown, who knows all about the club and the community from his several years playing in the area, we have the pleasure of chatting with him first-hand about the vision for their future.
Emily Sergeant -
26th June 2023 
