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.
Remarkable Lake District rescue of dog missing for THREE WEEKS
Daisy Jackson
A dog who was missing for almost three WEEEKS in the Lake District has, miraculously, been rescued.
Little Teddy went missing on 2 August, disappearing from his owner on Helvellyn.
Volunteers from Keswick Mountain Rescue Team spent the following weeks searching for the scrappy dog, with one eventually hearing him barking from Dry Gill.
The poor dog had got stuck in the gill in a dangerous location that required a full team of seven to bring him to safety.
Remarkably, Teddy appeared to be uninjured, though he had lost quite a bit of weight after three weeks living wild on the fell.
His rescuers gave him a small amount of food before securing him in a rucksack and carrying him back to Swirls car park.
The whole rescue took around three and a half hours, when Teddy was reunited with his very relieved owner and taken to the vets.
Teddy making his way down from HelvellynTeddy the dog was part of a rescue mission in the Lake DistrictTeddy was rescued after three weeks missingCredit: Keswick Mountain Rescue
Keswick Mountain Rescue said: “The team are absolutely delighted to share this update, as the news of this missing dog had deeply affected so many people across our local community.
“A remarkable outcome after nearly three weeks on Helvellyn, and a huge well done to everyone who kept searching and never gave up on Teddy.”
The mountain rescue team is funded entirely through donations – you can use ‘Buy me a coffee’ to make a small donation HERE, or donate the normal way HERE.
Elbow get behind campaign to save Jodrell Bank from closure
Danny Jones
Manc band Elbow are among the latest to get behind the campaign to save Jodrell Bank Observatory from closing permanently.
The Greater Manchester natives famously played a sold-out gig at the important scientific and cultural landmark for a very special live album recording well over a decade ago, and know all too well the site’s national and, indeed, global heritage.
Choosing the Observatory and the rare chance to perform a show in the shadow of the world-renowned James Lovell Telescope, it probably remains one of their most significant standalone UK date ever.
With that in mind, the local lads have been left just as worried by the news of its impending closure as everyone else, and have therefore issued a fresh appeal to help keep it open.
Posting a timely statement on social media, the group wrote: “Jodrell Bank has long been close to elbow’s heart. In 2012, the band played beneath the Lovell Telescope for one of the most memorable shows in our history.
“The recent news that funding for the e-MERLIN radio telescope network is set to end in 2028 puts the future of the scientific work at Jodrell Bank under serious threat. It is a remarkable place, with an extraordinary history, and one that continues to play an important role in science, culture and education.”
In addition to reliving clips and images from the historic live set all the years later, they also pointed people towards their ‘elbow – Live at Jodrell Bank‘ album documentary, which has now been made available online for the very first time as part of wider efforts to raise awareness around the cause.
Directing people to key online resources shared by the institution and astrophysics centre itself following their unfortunate update late last month, the push to not only find the funding but sustain support for the facility continues to ramp up throughout the world of science, arts and industry.
For anyone who somehow missed the news – 2028 being the current deadline handed down as per budget cuts across the sector – concerned parties here in the North West and all over the country have since started petitioning to save Jodrell Bank Observatory from shutting down for good.
In addition to being described as a “huge blow” to the field by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), some have even gone so far as to describe the decision as a form of “vandalism” when it comes to research and British culture as a whole.
Having also served as the host venue for the annual bluedot Festival since 2016, the multi-genre science and arts celebration could soon be forced to find a new home.
The battle is far from over yet, and the community has time to rescue Jodrell Bank Observatory from its fate, but it will take lots of money and more notable public figures to make it happen.
Once again, you can do your bit by signing the petition mentioned above right HERE.
Danny Jones -
16th October 2023 
