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.
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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.
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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.”
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“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.
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You can still donate to their ever-important cause and a beloved Manchester charity HERE.
Stockport’s Aimee Lou Wood slams SNL for ‘mean and unfunny’ White Lotus sketch
Danny Jones
Stopfordian White Lotus star, Aimee Lou Wood, has fired back at Saturday Night Live (SNL) following a new skit that has been equally slammed by others on social media for mocking her.
Wood was the subject of a recent skit on SNL entitled ‘The White Potus’, in which her physical appearance and voice were heavily parodied.
The Bramhall-born actor is best known for her roles in Netflix’s Sex Education, Daddy Issues – the BBC Three comedy filmed in Stockport – and now the hit HBO show, White Lotus, becoming an increasingly household name both in Britain and in the US.
Unfortunately, it is her increasingly recognisable face that the long-running sketch comedy show seemingly targeted as one of their jokes last week, and now Aimee Lou Wood has commented on the controversy, confessing that she was left hurt by the jokes.
Replying to an Instagram post which read, “YOU ARE STUNNING. PERIOD”, a first response to what has been labelled an ‘insensitive’ sketch was coaxed out of her, with Wood writing: “Whilst in honest mode – I did find the SNL thing mean and unfunny.”
The 31-year-old has since gone on to continue discussing the matter in multiple IG stories, reiterating that while she is not “thin-skinned”, understands the show and has enjoyed it even of late, she would have liked something done in a “more nuanced, less cheap way.”
She went on to say: “On a positive note, everyone is agreeing with me about it, so I’m glad I said something instead of going in on myself.”
The Greater Manchester native has been hit with a wave of support online, with many pointing out that everyone else parodied was a political figure except her, as Wood also noted that the rest of the sketch was “punching up” until it came to her teeth and Mancunian accent.
Wood insisted that she didn’t take issue with the SNL cast member who played her, Sarah Sherman, but more the content of the joke, adding that the joke was about fluoride (i.e. toothpaste) and that she has “big teeth not bad teeth.” She also qualified that claims about her treatment by HBO were false.
Credit: Screenshots via IG
Wood has since revealed that SNL – which is aired by US network NBC – have now sent their apologies, though she hasn’t detailed exactly what message(s) received state.
It looks like the SK local is now hoping to draw a line under the whole thing, but she is still being met with an outpouring of love and support from her followers and fellow famous names.
One of those who came to her defence is former Channel 4 presenter and The Good Place star Jameela Jamil, who wrote: “I hate this so much. It’s the least interesting or memorable thing about this brilliant actor. Our next Olivia Coleman…
“We make fun of the assimilation of women, then mercilessly obsess over anyone with any slightly alternative features […] I also think she’s so f***ing beatiful and love her face so much and wouldn’t want her to look any different.”
BMX history made in Manchester at inaugural Red Bull event
Danny Jones
More sporting history was made in Manchester this weekend as a city centre venue saw several world firsts in the realm of BMX as Red Bull kicked off a brand new high-octane event.
The inaugural edition of Red Bull Featured here in the UK saw thousands pile into Manchester Central on Saturday, 12 April, for a day of bike-based athleticism, truly impressive tricks and, in some cases, quite literally death-defying stunts.
Not only did the new event series get off to huge success, the BMX riders taking part also pulled off some truly incredible feats, with not one, not two, but 11 different world-first tricks in the space of just three hours.
For instance, Great Britain’s Kieran Reilly from Newcastle, who finished first overall in the male category, did this frankly ridiculous thing:
What you’ve just seen is called a ‘540 Triple Tailwhip to Bar Spin’ and it’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to world-first moves pulled off at the event, with Reilly being joined by several other BMX stars in setting records and making history on the night.
For instance, not only did he pull off a 720 Triple Tailwhip as well – you can see both tricks HERE– but his colleagues managed to hit these:
Reilly, still just 23, said of his spectacular performance: “Learning a new trick is the best feeling, and doing something no one has ever done before just tops it. The last trick was one of the scariest I’ve ever done, and to even just leave here healthy is amazing, let alone achieve two world’s first tricks.”
As for American Hannah Roberts, who pulled off an equally impressive world-first with a Backflip Barspin to Tuck No Hander to win the women’s event, she added: “I came into the round and I didn’t know where I sat, and I wanted to end it well.
I’ve been doing the trick for quite some time in training and as I didn’t land my double fire, I wanted to land one world’s first at least. I’m so sore but I’m absolutely pumped. It’s been one of the coolest events as it gives us the opportunity to try all these tricks without the risk of hurting our scores.
The event was absolutely mindblowing.”
Hannah Roberts enjoying the views inside Manchester Central. The female podiumCredit: Eisa Bakos/Marcus Cole (via Red Bull Content Pool)
It was quite literally a showcase of some of the very best BMX talent in the world and yet another historic date for sport here in Greater Manchester.
With Olympic riders from all over the globe competing and getting the chance to attempt world-first tricks without their score taking an instant hit, it made for a mind-blowing display.
The new format, created by BMX legend and Red Bull athlete, Sebastian Keep, gave riders a new-found freedom on the course, entertaining the audience across the four feature format – and we’d have it back in Manchester in a heartbeat.
Well done to all those involved, and here’s to more Manc sporting history!
Logan Martin performs a 540 flair downside whip at Red Bull Featured in Manchester Central (Credit: Red Bull Content Pool)
Danny Jones -
16th October 2023 
