The family of a Staffordshire teen who suffers from a rare terminal muscle wasting condition have appealed to the public to send him cards for his 16th birthday.
15-year-old Luke Hesketh lives with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).
Despite being one of the most common types of Muscular Dystrophy – usually affecting boys in early childhood, with about 100 born with the condition each year and around 2,500 people living with it in the UK at any one time – it is one of the most severe forms, and people with the condition will sadly usually only live into their 20s or 30s.
Luke is currently in hospital at the moment, and his family have recently received the shattering news that his heart is failing and no further medication will help.
The hospital are therefore keeping him comfortable and pain free.
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But with it being Luke’s 16th birthday tomorrow, his mum, Tracey Hesketh, has appealed to members of the public to send him a birthday cards in an attempt to make his birthday as special as it can possibly be, and one the whole family will never forget.
After hearing the devastating news, friends of the Hesketh family have also since set up a GoFundMe page in Luke’s name that is dedicated to helping him make the most of the time he has left.
The funds raised will also go towards helping Luke tick off the activities on his bucket list.
The description on the fundraiser reads: “[Luke] has written a bucket list and his family really want to try and grant his wishes, [so] your help to do this would be greatly appreciated.
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“At a time when the future seems so uncertain and frightening for the family, let’s give them some moments to smile about [and] every single donation, no matter how big or small, will go towards giving Luke and his family the chance to make precious memories”.
Luke’s bucket list activities include a trip to Legoland Windsor, a stay on the London River boat, a visit to the lwgo shop in London, a holiday to Benidorm, a ride in a helicopter, and more.
If you would like to send Luke a card to make his 16th birthday a special one to remember, then you can send it the following address:
Luke Hesketh, 8 The Doves, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 6RB.
You can also find out more about Luke’s battle with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) via the GoFundMe page set up to help the Hesketh family here.
All donations are greatly appreciated.
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Tickets officially go on sale for rare 70mm IMAX screenings of Dune: Part Three in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Tickets have now officially gone on sale for rare 70mm IMAX screenings of Dune: Part Three in Manchester.
Arriving on screens from 18 December and gearing up to be one of the most anticipated films of the year, Dune: Part Three – which is the third and final instalment in director Denis Villeneuve’s Dune franchise – will be screening in IMAX 70mm at Vue Manchester Printworks, one of only three venues to show it in this format nationwide.
There are only 40 other venues across the globe showing the film in IMAX 70mm, and Manchester is the only city outside of London to screen the blockbuster this way too.
Based on the novels of Frank Herbert and set nearly two decades after the previous film, Dune: Part Three features an ensemble cast of all-star names led by Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya.
Alongside them will be Jason Momoa, Florence Pugh, Anya Taylor-Joy, Rebecca Ferguson, Robert Pattinson, Charlotte Rampling, Javier Bardem, and Josh Brolin.
After seats for a special early screening of the film in IMAX sold out in less than 30 minutes last month, the IMAX 70mm showings – which officially went live today (20 October) – are expected to be snapped up fast by film fans in Manchester.
“A decade in the making, Denis Villeneuve’s epic Dune trilogy is reaching its dramatic conclusion this December,” explained Dean Cross, who is the Senior Screen Content Manager at Vue.
“As the only venue outside of London to be screening Dune: Part Three in IMAX 70mm, it’s a privilege for us to offer this unique way to experience the film.”
Dune: Part Three is coming to Vue Manchester Printworks on 18 December, and you can book your tickets here.
Featured Image – Warner Bros.
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Free pints and live craft experiences coming to a Manchester pub for one night only
Daisy Jackson
A pop-up pub takeover is opening its doors in Manchester, where you can get your hands on a free pint as well as some amazing craft experiences.
The Uncommon Inn is being operated by premium Italian lager brand Poretti, who want to help us Brits break out of our daily routines.
Matt & Phreds on Tib Street will welcome The Uncommon Inn on Thursday 22 October, from 4pm to 8pm, giving visitors the chance to discover unusual creative skills and watch artisans at work, with a free pint in hand.
It comes after research commissioned by Poretti found that 61% of UK adults feel they are living on autopilot, while a quarter have not tried a new creative pursuit in five years or more.
Free pints and live craft experiences are coming to a Manchester pub for one night only / Credit: Supplied
The study also found that adults have an average of just 90 minutes of genuine personal time each day, with 58% spending that time watching television and 35% scrolling through social media.
Exhaustion and financial constraints came out as the main barriers preventing people from trying new things.
The Uncommon Inn has been designed to offer an alternative, bringing together a collective of specialist makers to showcase their skills in a familiar pub setting.
Visitors to the Manchester event can watch Giulio Miglietta embroidering personalised beer mats, using a vintage Singer sewing machine dating back to the early 1900s, alongside live hand-engraving and bespoke jewellery-style crafting using recycled silver.
The Uncommon Inn is being operated by premium Italian lager brand Poretti / Credit: Supplied
Other demonstrations include 3D body-casting by sculptor Ami of Angelcasts and personalised, hand-engraved glassware from Leigh Calligraphy. Sabira of Sken Studios will also demonstrate how recycled silver can be turned into bespoke bottle openers.
Guests will be able to enjoy complimentary pints of Poretti while watching the makers at work.
Caitlin Maley, Senior Brand Manager at Poretti, said: “Modern life moves at an overwhelming pace, and it’s all too easy to fall into autopilot mode where routine replaces curiosity.
“We believe in celebrating intentional craft, rare skills, and authentic human connection – values that are at the core of our brewing heritage.
“We created The Uncommon Inn to turn an ordinary pub visit into an inspiring journey. By bringing together our Masters of Crafts, from chainstitch embroiderers to live engravers and musicians, we’re inviting pubgoers to slow down, pick up a new skill, and enjoy a pint crafted with genuine passion.”
The Uncommon Inn is at Matt & Phreds in Manchester on Thursday 22 October, from 4pm until 8pm.
Emily Sergeant -
16th February 2021 
