A terminally ill man from Altrincham is currently running 5k everyday for 365 days in a bid to raise as much money as he can for charity.
Keen runner Tony Collier has completed countless running events throughout his life – including 20 marathons in just 2017 alone – and was training for one of the world’s toughest ultramarathons that very same year when he noticed a pain in his groin that prompted him to go and get a check-up at the doctors.
Tony was sadly diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer at aged 60, and was given the worst case prognosis of two years.
“I was training for an ultra marathon but was being hampered by a groin strain,” Tony told ITV Granada.
“So I went for a scan and I got a call the next day saying I had cancer.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It spread into the pelvis, hips, rib, spine, neck and skull and I was given the worst case prognosis of two years and that’s four and a half years ago.
“Being told you’ve got cancer is devastating, being told they can’t cure it is indescribable and you go into the depths of despair [and] I spent 18 months feeling very sorry for myself but then I realised, you’ve got to live life to the full.”
ADVERTISEMENT
He was determined to not give up on his active lifestyle.
Tony is running 5k everyday in 2022 in a bid to raise as much money as he can for charity / Credit: Tony Collier (via Twitter – @ethansgrumps)
So, adamant that “exercise has been a vital part of coping with my diagnosis and I believe that it will extend my prognosis”, Tony decided to set himself the challenge of completing a 5k run every day throughout 2022 to help other people get active and to raise funds for a very worthy charity in the process – MOVE.
MOVE is embarking on a mission to inspire people to #MoveAgainstCancer by providing practical and online support to children and young living with and beyond cancer.
ADVERTISEMENT
Promoting the power of exercise, the charity is encouraging people to get involved with its ‘5k Your Way’ challenge – which is linked to parkrun – and Tony has become the charity’s regional champion for the North West to help develop the initiative across the region.
Having broadcast my daft idea to try to run or hike at least 5k every day in 2022 on BBC North West I guess I’ve now got to do it. As I am why not try to raise some funds for @cancer5kYourWay via @MOVEcharity along the way? Donations gratefully received https://t.co/SfkXJY0eKB
“Being diagnosed with cancer means people face an extremely tough journey,” Tony said via his JustGiving page.
“There is so much thrown at you both physically and mentally during treatment and it doesn’t just stop there… [so] I hope to raise a few quid to support MOVE’s amazing work.”
You can find more information, and donate to Tony’s JustGiving page here.
Family-run Greater Manchester business calls out customers for punching cakes
Thomas Melia
A well-known independent Greater Manchester business has taken to social media to call out customers who were caught on CCTV punching their cakes.
Known for everything from cakes and pastries to hot baked goods and custom chocolate designs, Slattery’s in Whitefield has been serving up their gorgeous cake and chocolate creations for over 50 years, all while keeping the business family-run.
Unfortunately, the reason they’re receiving lots of attention at the minute is due to two customers resorting to violence on their pre-packaged sweet-treat products.
The social media account for this Greater Manchester chocolatier has uploaded two images which show the outcome of the fatal blows which struck two of their Victoria Sponge cakes.
Although this punch may have cost them the price of two of their delicious traybakes, later on in the post, Slattery’s issues a big thanks to “All the wonderful families who’ve visited so far this summer.”
“We know cake can be exciting, but a gentle reminder that little bakers should remain under adult supervision at all times – Thank you.”
This third-generation family-run “chocolate wonderland” has brought a smile to many locals’ and tourists’ faces alike with their wide variety of unique-shaped chocolate bars, lollies, grab bags and more.
All throughout 2021, Slattery’s were serving up their moreish Slattery’s Chocolate Lockdown Platters consisting of shortbread, brownies, fudge, pretzels, marshmallows and Oreos, helping Mancs continue to get our sugary fix even during one of the country’s toughest times.
Just look at them – they do the lord’s work:
Slattery’s chocolate shop and bakery has called out customers on social media for punching their pre-packaged cakes / Credit: The Manc Group
As well as attracting visitors with its grand three-storey bakery and chocolate shop, Slattery’s also has its very own restaurant, Mason’s Dining Room, where people flock to attempt the ‘Chocolate Challenge’.
To win, two chocoholics must team up to finish an American-style chocolate fudge cake with chocolate ice cream, a portion of fresh cream and two chocolate pots filled with liquid chocolate sauce – oh and two delicious hot chocolate drinks too.
Any sweet tooth successor will bag themselves one of Slattery’s chocolate medals and a box of handmade chocolates too – in case you needed chocolate anymore.
Lastly, anyone after supporting this Greater Manchester sweet-treat provider can find the chocolatier and cake makers on 197 Bury New Road in Whitefield or via Slattery’s official website HERE.
Featured Images – The Manc Group/Slattery’s (via Instagram)
Trending
Plans to build tower next to Manchester’s historic Britons Protection pub scrapped
Danny Jones
Punters, rejoice: plans to build a large apartment tower next to Manchester’s Britons Protection pub have reportedly been scrapped after a long, drawn-out process and widespread protests.
What a relief.
One of the city’s oldest boozers, the Britons Protection was due to be dwarfed by a large development reaching 26 storeys tall, which not only would have encroached on the cultural landmark and storied watering hole, but also blocked out its popular beer garden to the rear.
We’ve seen a similar loss of outdoor drinking space with the recent St Michael’s development, which has essentially removed the equally historic Sir Ralph Abercromby pub – though it is at least getting a refurb – but in truth, the ‘Protect the Protection’ fight has been going on much longer.
As per a notice published on Manchester City Council’s website this week, it now appears that the plans for 72 new flats have been cancelled, with developers Arrowsmith Management having officially withdrawn their application.
Run by Bahraini businessman Mohamed Abbas Haji, the company is now said to be reassessing its options for the ‘Apex Tower’ proposals.
Speaking to the BBC, Mark Brennan – who took over the pub back in January 2025 – said: “I’m quite happy to be honest, a lot of people say the pub might be busier with more people about, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to people coming in here.”
“It would have looked horrendous… It’s Grade II-listed, so the pub should always be here. It wouldn’t have been a good look, having a big ugly building on top of our building.”
Countless Mancunians have echoed the sentiment over the past few years, with appeals dating back to post-pandemic and a big awareness push in 2021.
Standing for more than two centuries and holding countless awards, it was never going to go quietly.
It also happens to be quite comfortably on our list of the cosiest pubs in Manchester and has been since day dot.
Anyone who’s been in will know the sense of a warm welcome the place always puts out, and we’re overjoyed to hear that years of petitions and campaigning to save it have paid off.
These stories don’t always end with the right outcome (not often enough, anyway), so we’ll definitely be raising a glass to the Britons Protected this weekend.
Unfortunately, we do still have some other sad news from the hospitality sector, as our oldest Manc publican has passed away at a fellow favourite pub.
Emily Sergeant -
21st January 2022 
