An “inspirational” young woman with terminal brain cancer has achieved another one of the dreams on her bucket list by getting to become a Manchester firefighter for the day.
22-year-old Laura Nuttall, from Barrowford in Lancashire, was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme – an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer – following a routine eye test back in 2018, and was told she only had around 12 months to live after she was found to have eight tumours.
Since her diagnosis, Laura has bravely endured a craniotomy to remove the largest tumour, been through a gruelling programme of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and has regularly travelled to Germany for innovative new immunotherapy treatment.
Laura’s shock diagnosis initially led to her leaving university in London to concentrate on treatment and ticking items off her bucket list.
After responding so well to the immunotherapy treatment, Laura was able to restart her studies, this time a little closer to home at the University of Manchester, and grabbed headlines when she graduated back in July and was able to celebrate with her mum Nicola, dad Mark, and sister Grace proudly watching on.
Meeting former First Lady Michelle Obama, commanding a Royal Navy ship, presenting a live BBC weather forecast, and accompanying legendary Bolton comedian Peter Kay to a Michelin-starred pub lunch, are some of the things Laura has been able to tick off her bucket list over the last few years – but despite all these achievements, she wasn’t done just yet.
Her sights were set on the fire service.
22-year-old terminal cancer patient Laura Nuttall got to become a Manchester firefighter for the day / Credit: GMFRS
After seeing and being inspired by her story in the news, firefighter Aaron Lee invited Laura and her parents to pay a visit to Oldham Fire Station – where he is based – for the day.
Laura says she has long had an interest in the fire service, and was thrilled to accept the invitation to head down one day a couple of weeks back.
It’s an experience Laura says she’ll never forget as she continues to “defy the odds”.
The 22-year-old was given a tour of the fire station and shown around a working fire engine, with a demonstration on how all of the hundreds of components work, before she was then able to pull on her own firefighter’s uniform and try it out for herself.
Laura was not only taken out for a ride in a working fire engine, but she was also taken up in a cherry picker, and got to hold a hose too.
Inspirational Laura Nuttall (22) was given 12 months to live in 2018 but she's defying odds as she continues to tick off bucket list goals.
— Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (@manchesterfire) December 23, 2022
“It was an absolute privilege to be joined by Laura and her mum and dad for the day,” Aaron said.
“I, and everyone else at Oldham Fire Station, have been really touched by Laura’s fight and resilience, so to be able to invite her here for the day really is the least we can do. The courage and positivity she shows is so inspiring and I’m really pleased we were able to give her an experience I hope she won’t forget.
“She’s a real hero and I wish her the very best.”
Laura said the unique day out was something she “never thought [she’d] be able to do.
“I’m really grateful to Aaron and everyone else at Oldham Fire Station for going out of their way to show me round for the day,” she added.
Walkers launches TWO new permanent crisp flavours for the first time in decades
Emily Sergeant
Walkers has launched two new crisp flavours to its permanent lineup for the first time in decades.
We all know the legendary crisp manufacturers have been no strangers to bringing out weird and wonderful concoctions and collaborations over the years – with Marmite, spicy tomato ketchup, fish and chips, steak and ale pie, and even Christmas pudding being just some of the foods turned into crisp form by the company over the years.
These limited-edition Walkers flavours usually have shoppers flocking to their nearest supermarket to stock up before they sell out.
But this time, there’s no need to dash, as these two new flavours are staying for good.
Walkers has launched two new permanent crisp flavours for the first time in decades / Credit: The Manc Group | Mustafa Bashari (via Unsplash)
It’s been a long time – decades, in fact – since Walkers announced permanent crisp flavours that would be stocked on UK shop shelves for years to come, but all that’s set to change, and we have a feeling they’re going to be pretty well-received.
Inspired by the authentic flavours of Japan and India, the two new Walkers crisp flavours are Sticky Teryaki and Chicken Masala.
These new additions come following a year of ‘rigorous’ testing of 63 different potentials, and Walkers said its research and development team finally landed on two flavours that are ‘so delicious’, they simply ‘had to be added’ to the permanent lineup.
The new Sticky Teriyaki flavour provides a balance between sweet and tangy, and it’s sure to hit your senses with an array of flavours from Japan.
The new Masala Chicken, on the other hand, packs a punch of flavour and provides the rich and spicy taste that makes Tikka Masala a firm favourite dish in the UK.
“Our development team has been on a mission for the past year to find two new flavours that meet the highest standards,” commented Wayne Newton, who is the Senior Marketing Director at Walkers, ahead of the crisps being launched.
“After thousands of crisps crunched, flavours tested, and bags rustled, we’re pleased to bring something entirely new to the table”.
Walkers’ new Sticky Teriyaki and Masala Chicken crisps are available to buy now in stores across the UK, so keep your eyes peeled.
Featured Image – Esperanza Doronila (via Unsplash)
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Britain’s top five neighbour ‘red flags’ revealed in an eye-opening new survey
Emily Sergeant
The top five ‘red flags’ of neighbours have been revealed, according to an eye-opening new survey of hundreds of Brits.
In an ideal world, we’d all be friendly with those on our street – but despite everyone’s best intentions, it doesn’t always work out that way, as the dream can begin to unravel once you find out the neighbours aren’t quite what you hoped for.
It’s no secret that who lives next door can shape your day-to-day life, regardless of whether you own or rent your home.
Unlike a dodgy paint colour or a bathroom that’s is need of some modernisation, neighbours aren’t really that easy to change.
Britain’s top five neighbour ‘red flags’ have been revealed in a hilarious new survey / Credit: James Feaver (via Unsplash)
But what exactly is it that really gets under Brits’ skin when it comes to their neighbours? In a bid to find out, Rightmove conducted a new survey and asked members of its research panel, Living Room, to share the neighbourly habits that raise the biggest ‘red flags’ in their books.
The number one neighbour red flag was discovered to be those who ask to borrow your WiFi password if theirs isn’t working or is yet to be installed, with 87% of survey respondents calling it a ‘no-go’, saying it’s not just cheeky, but can also slow down your connection too, meaning you’re left buffering when you don’t need to be.
So-called ‘bin offenders’ take the second spot. You know, those with overflowing bins spilling onto the street? Seven in 10 Brits say it’s a major red flag.
‘Parking pinchers’ take the third spot, with more than half of people (51%) said they’d be unhappy if a neighbour took their parking spot, 71% saying they are irritated by people parking outside their homes, and 70% disliking it when non-residents use their street.
70% of Brits say nosy neighbours are a ‘real issue’, meaning so-called curtain twitching is a red flag, and then 38% say knocking on or inviting round for a surprise cuppa is a ‘boundary-crossing’ move, as peace and quiet matters and unexpected visits can ‘throw off your home’s calm’.
Rightmove also found that 59% of Brits considering a moving to an area will drive by the property at different times of the day and week to check the ‘vibe’, and 43% will check local community groups for neighbour disputes that may apply.
58% say they are open to new areas if it means better neighbours.
Emily Sergeant -
26th December 2022 
