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.
TikTok star turned pop star Addison Rae announces gig in Manchester
Thomas Melia
Viral TikTok star and now recording artist, Addison Rae, has announced her first-everheadline European tour, where she’ll be paying Manchester a visit, and tickets go on sale this week.
After launching into the music scene back in 2021 with pure pop single, ‘Obsessed’, Addison made her pop star intentions very clear.
Since then, Addison has gone on to work with high-profile artists such as Charli XCX, who appears as a feature on track ‘2 Die 4’ taken from her first EP, ‘AR’.
Addison also contributed to the inescapable phenomenon of last year that was ‘Brat Summer’, appearing on the aforementioned A-list artist’s Brat remix album, on a reworking of the hit ‘Von Dutch’.
With more than 88.5 million followers on TikTok alone and north of 35 million on Instagram, it goes without saying that her legions of ‘Sunraes’ (yes, a real term used by some in the community) will be lining up to get tickets to her UK tour dates.
Now the singer is ready to take the world by storm, confirming a US and European tour following the release of her debut album, simply titled Addison.
This LP, which features standouts like smash single ‘Diet Pepsi’, ‘Aquamarine’ and ‘Fame Is A Gun’, has been met with rave reviews from fans and critics alike.
The fledgling 24-year-old American-born pop star is a big fan of the UK, so much so that one of the singles from this very debut album, ‘Headphones On’, includes a music video dedicated to frozen food retailer Iceland.
See for yourself…
Addison Rae is set to bring ‘The Addison Tour’ – her first on the continent and here in Britain and Ireland – to Manchester Academy on 30 August, with general admission going on sale this Friday, 20 June.
So, if you’re a fan, get ready to grab yours HERE.
Featured Images – Pandora (screenshot via YouTube) Press shots via Dillon Matthew (supplied)
UK News
Soccer Aid raises more than £15 million for Unicef as a familiar face stars at Old Trafford
Danny Jones
This past Sunday saw not only the closing night of Parklife and Outbreak Festival here in Greater Manchester, but also Soccer Aid 2025, which raised yet another incredible amount for charity.
It was also one of the highest-scoring games Old Trafford has seen in a while.
This year’s edition of the fundraising match for UNICEF, which has now been running for more than two decades, saw a record-breaking 14th win for the World XI, who have also emerged as champions from the last five Soccer Aid games.
Nevertheless, with more than £15 million raised in charitable donations to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which helps protect children’s rights, provide humanitarian and all-around support to kids across the world in developing countries, that was the real victory.
As you can see, the exact amount generated following donations during this year’s Soccer Aid fixture is £15,280,163, essentially matching the record-breaking figure raised in 2024.
Better still, this now takes the total raised for UNICEF thanks to the charity match, which became annual back in 2018, to beyond £115m. Incredible stuff.
Top performers on the night included Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney, who got the goals underway, ex-Man City Women’s star Toni Duggan and retired England striker Jermain Defo, who managed to score a brace on the night.
However, despite taking a two-goal lead, it was the World XI’s star man who happened to be both a once-friendly face at the Theatre of Dreams and a familiar foe.
Speaking on the staggering 2025 total, pop star Robbie Williams, who founded the event back in 2006, said: “As an original founder of Soccer Aid, I couldn’t be more proud of UNICEF…
“From the volunteers, organisers and talent, to the team on the ground; everyone who buys a ticket or makes a donation. Together, over the years, we’ve raised over £121m. Here’s to many more games and even more fundraising.”
Well done to everyone involved with another fantastic year for Soccer Aid and UNICEF, including local comedian Paddy McGuinness, who celebrated a record ninth appearance playing between the sticks for England. Big likey, big lighty.
You can watch the game back in full HERE or all the big highlights from Soccer Aid 2025 down below.
Cracking scoreline that. Man United vs Lyon, eat your heart out.
Danny Jones -
16th October 2023 
