Two local firefighters blew bystanders away at the Manchester Half Marathon this weekend after turning up to run the annual race not only in full gear but by dragging a dummy with them all the way around the 13.1 miles of the route.
A truly ridiculous achievement.
Firemen Daniel Jackson and Chris Prodromis, who serve at the New Mills and Chapel-en-le-Frith fire stations, respectively, set themselves the frankly ridiculous challenge of running the city’s second half marathon of the year in full firefighter gear and breathing apparatus.
But, in typically heroic fashion for our emergency responders, the pair didn’t just settle for wearing the already heavy and no doubt sweaty kit for the 21-km course, they also decided to carry a 50kg dummy in tow, leaving people standing roadside — ourselves included — utterly speechless.
Firefighters Dan and Chris were cheered on non-stop throughout this year’s Manchester half marathon. (Credit: The Manc Group)
This heartfelt endeavour was carried out as a tribute to their dear friend, Charlotte Jones, who was diagnosed in February this year with stage four bowel cancer, which ultimately spread to her lungs and liver.
ADVERTISEMENT
Charlotte lived nearby in Glossop with her lifelong partner Colin and their baby son Maximus, who is only a year old. Charlotte married Colin in June but sadly passed away the following week aged just 32.
Charlotte grew up in New Mills with her best friend Stella Bennett; Stella’s partner is firefighter Dan, 38, who asked his good friend and colleague Chris (37), who lives not far in Dove Holes, to take part in their latest charitable effort.
ADVERTISEMENT
The impressive pair have been completing all manner of inspirational fundraising feats over the last few years, taking on both the New York and Paris marathons, as well as climbing Everest and completing the Three Peaks challenge. Thankfully, they weren’t alone this time either.
Fellow firemen Tommy and Chris joined them on their way around.
After Charlotte passed away, Dan and Chris decided to start fundraising for Manchester-based charity, The Christie, where they’d witnessed the incredible support given to Charlotte and her family during her treatment.
Speaking in a statement on behalf of The Christie, Chris’ partner Ella said that despite being the shortest distance they’ve run together, it was going to be “the most emotional fundraiser that they have ever done.”
ADVERTISEMENT
“Charlotte was the best mummy to Max”, said Stella, “all she ever dreamed about was being a mum. We all miss her so much and have been left with such a huge void that will never be filled. A massive thank you to Christie’s for all the love and support that we and Charlotte received during this terrible time.”
Despite setting themselves an initial goal of just £500, Dan and Chris managed to raise more than five times that amount, with more and more people learning of their cause and plenty of those spectating on the day adding their donations via the QR codes printed on the back of their oxygen tanks.
Totalling out at £2,540 as of Monday morning, 16 October, the two incredible fundraisers should be immensely proud of themselves.
Josh from The Christie said, “We’re so grateful to them both for their fundraising for the Charity… Dan and Chris sincerely appreciate every donation, no matter how big or small, as it goes a long way in helping those in need and honouring the memory of their dear friend Charlotte.”
We are in awe of you, lads, not only for your charity work and this unreal effort on its own, but for the life-saving work you do day in and day out.
ADVERTISEMENT
You can still donate to their ever-important cause and a beloved Manchester charity HERE.
Manchester councillor Bev Craig has been awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours List
Danny Jones
The leader of Manchester City Council and representative for Burnage, Bev Craig, has officially been awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year Honours List for 2026.
Councillor Craig, who has held her leadership position since October 2021, received the OBE for her services to local government.
She joins several other regional councillors to be named by King Charles III.
First elected by Burnage residents back in 2011, she has spent more than a decade and a half devoting her professional life to the community, as well as nearly a whole five years of that time at the highest level within the Council.
The University of Manchester graduate has played several key roles throughout her career, including giving back to higher education, helping trade unions, as well as serving as an executive member for adult social care and health during the pandemic, before serving as Deputy and eventually Leader.
Speaking in an official statement, Craig said: “To receive an OBE is a huge privilege, and to get awarded it for what I’ve been able to give back to our city is all the more special.
“Manchester is an incredible city, made special by its people and a place I’m proud to call home.
“Leading our city is a privilege I don’t take for granted, so to get awarded an OBE for what we’ve been doing to make Manchester an even better place to live and improve the lives of Manchester people, while creating a city that is fairer and more inclusive for generations to come, is the real honour.”
With the Council having also confirmed two special NYE events on either side of the Town Hall this year, it feels like a fitting celebration.
Congratulations to Bev Craig on the well-deserved accolade and title; we have no doubt she’ll continue to excel in her post.
You can find the King’s 2026 New Year Honours List HERE.
As for the discussion around knighthoods, many Brits are currently calling for a change in the rules in hopes of making OBE, CBE and MBE, Kevin Sinfield a Sir.
Featured Images — Publicity picture (via Manchester City Council)
UK News
Netflix drops the first trailer for upcoming Peaky Blinders film
Danny Jones
It looks like Christmas has come early for TV drama fans and cinephiles, because Netflix has officially dropped the first trailer for the upcoming Peaky Blinders movie.
Popcorn at the ready – even the teaser alone has got us fired up.
ln just 70 seconds, they’ve managed to pull us right back in, and we cannot wait to see Cillian Murphy back in full-on Tommy Shelby mode.
Not exaggerating when we say we have LITERAL chills.
As you can see, they certainly haven’t scrimped on the budget with the first-ever feature-length Peaky Blinders film, neither in terms of production value nor the cast.
Then again, having already hosted the likes of Sam Neill, Tom Hardy, Adrien Brody, Anya Taylor-Joy and others in the series itself, as well as going on to become one of the most successful BBC shows of all time, they were never going to.
We’re sure you spotted plenty of them for yourselves, but the debut trailer for The Immortal Man gives us not only our first glimpses of now Oscar-winning Murphy, 49, back in the saddle (both figuratively and literally) but also fellow blockbuster Irish actor, Barry Keoghan.
Other big names set to appear in the movie – set for a limited release in theatres before launching exclusively on Netflix – include Rebecca Ferguson and Tim Roth. It still remains unclear, however, as to how any of these characters will knit into the new season.
It’s also worth noting that the trailer shares a little snippet of the historical context, this continuation of the Shelby story is playing into, as we see what looks to be Nazi figures meeting on screen.
Creator Steven Knight has already confirmed that the plot will fast-forward some years to meet back up with Tommy at the outset of WWII and his ancestral home of Birmingham during the Blitz.
Having already confirmed 6 March as the theatrical release date ahead of it going live on Netflix a fortnight later, the anticipation was seriously starting to ramp; this latest look has only added to the tinderbox of excitement.
What do you make of the Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man trailer, and will you be watching it?
Danny Jones -
16th October 2023 
