News
Vernon Kay receives hero’s welcome as 115-mile ultramarathon enters Manchester
Keep going Vernon!
Vernon Kay became emotional as he was given a hero’s welcome on entering Manchester, as he completed the third leg of his ultramarathon for Children in Need.
The Radio 2 presenter walked his weary legs into Manchester where fans cheered and gave him a hero’s welcome yesterday (November 16th).
He’s taken on the challenge to raise money for Children in Need, starting the 115-mile journey on Tuesday November 14th, in Leicester, and has so far raised close to £4 million.
Thursday proved to be the toughest day as he tackled Kinder Scout in the Peak District before heading down through Stockport and into Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground – where a sea of supporters awaited to welcome him to Manchester.
The 49-year-old started the fourth and final sector of his 115-mile journey at 7am today (November 17th) as he left Emirates Old Trafford to make his way through Salford, Linnyshaw, Little Hulton and into his hometown of Bolton at Middlebrook.
He will cross the finish line at the Toughsheet Stadium, home to Bolton Wanderers, where Zoe Ball will be presenting live with a huge crowd of welcoming supporters.
On Thursday, his long journey took him through the Hope Valley in Derbyshire, over Kinder Scout and into Stockport at Mellor and Marple Bridge. Crowds cheered as the weary marathoner took a much needed rest and enjoyed a chip butty during a pub pit stop.
As the presenter tackled Kinder Scout he looked tired and emotional as the group had to navigate a slightly different route due to weather and conditions, which added an extra mile to the journey.
As he finally conquered the toughest part so far, Kay said he was ‘done’ and had ‘no energy left’ as he struggled to lift his arm and high-five waiting fans.
As he recovered from the mammoth trek, he continued: “I know people were saying Kinder’s a brave thing to do on any normal day, but we’ve done that which was nearly 14 miles and now we’ve got another 16 to go.
“The difference is, it seems to be, that everything we’ve done so far – the 60-odd mile we’ve done so far has been all at the back of the legs with the running, and now that was just a big heavy push up and then a stride over the top, the plateau, and then down was just horrific because you’ve got to watch your feet.
“So, everyone’s saying ‘the beautiful views’, I haven’t seen anything, I’m just staring at my feet – It’s the worst thing.
“That’s worse than yesterday’s 40 miles…. That is the worst thing ever. If you were to say to me we’re gonna do 40 miles and we’re gonna run it I’d say never in a million years, and we did that yesterday and then I thought that Kinder would have been a relatively easier day.
“Kinder the killer… I’m done, I’ve got no energy left. I’ve got to take my boots off, my toes are killing me. I need to refuel because people were giving me a high-five but I couldn’t even lift my arm up.”
Family and fans called in to send messages of support over the radio including Kay’s wife Tess Daly, who said: “Oh my goodness, it’s been emotional hasn’t it today?”
“My nerves are shredded because I, literally I can’t do anything else I’m just listening to the radio and just waiting for news. And waiting to hear from you.”
Telling him how proud she and his daughters are of him she added: “Honestly we are so so proud of you at home Vern. I meant it’s all we talk about honestly, it’s all we talk about. And it’s hard to impress teenagers but you’ve done it yeah safe to say.”
On Friday (November 17th), well wishers can spur him on throughout his route and wait to welcome him as he completes the 11-miles as he crosses the finish line in Bolton and finds out how much his efforts have raised for Children in Need.
All the proceeds raised from the challenge will go towards supporting children and young people across the UK who are facing a range of issues.
At the time of writing he’s managed to raise a massive £3,750,475.
If you would like to watch or keep up-to-date with Vernon Kay’s Children in Need challenge, you can do so by clicking HERE.
News
Oasis announce huge reunion tour as Liam and Noel Gallagher ‘make peace’
The news we’ve all been waiting for!
After years of will-they-won’t-they speculation, Oasis are officially BACK together for a reunion tour.
The Gallagher brothers have put aside their differences in the name of music, making thousands of fans extremely happy in the process.
The band teased the news on their socials over the weekend, posting a video on Sunday morning with today’s date (Tuesday, August 27th) and the time 8am.
And now shows have been announced for multiple dates in the UK and Ireland, with tickets going live this Saturday, August 31st.
The legendary Mancunian rockers will take to the stage next summer, with gigs in Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and, of course, Manchester.
15 years after splitting, the band confirmed they would be back for 14 shows, saying: “The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised”.
The gigs will be Oasis’s ‘only shows in Europe next year’, with tickets on sale this Saturday at 8am in Ireland and 9am in the UK.
The Oasis 2025 tour dates in full:
July
4th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
5th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
11th – Manchester, Heaton Park
12th – Manchester, Heaton Park
19th – Manchester, Heaton Park
20th – Manchester, Heaton Park
25th – London, Wembley Stadium
26th – London, Wembley Stadium
August
2nd – London, Wembley Stadium
3rd – London, Wembley Stadium
8th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
9th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
16th – Dublin, Croke Park
17th – Dublin, Croke Park
You can grab your tickets HERE.
News
Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries
Fancy a career change?
Stagecoach Manchester is hiring over 100 new bus drivers to work from its Oldham depot, following the second phase of the Bee Network launch in March.
You can apply for a range of roles, from positions with no experience required to fully qualified bus drivers.
Successful applicants will receive full training as part of the job, and trainees will get paid to train. Then after only 12 months’ service at Stagecoach, drivers can expect to earn up to £16 per hour, which equates to £31.6K per year, before overtime.
As well as that, drivers that already hold a PCV licence may be eligible to receive a £1,200 joining bonus.
Stagecoach
There’s also a host of other benefits available to all Stagecoach employees, like 28 days paid holiday, generous pension and free Stagecoach bus travel for successful applicants and a companion.
Rob Jones, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester said: “Expanding our offering in Oldham means we’ll be investing more in the economy and supporting our local community, as well as strengthening our workforce.
“Whether you’re looking for a career change or you’re a fully qualified, experienced bus driver, there’s a role for everyone here in Oldham.
“We’re looking for personable and dedicated drivers who are ready to help us build on the success of the Bee Network and connect the people of Oldham and Greater Manchester with the places and people that are important to them.”
Stagecoach
Phil Cornwall, bus driver at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “I’ve been a driver at Stagecoach for 25 years and I couldn’t recommend it more.
“From the perks to the people to the passengers, it really is a great place to work.”
To apply, head to the Stagecoach website HERE.
Two men have now been charged with murder, following the discovery of a human torso in Kersal Dale.
As well as that, more suspected human remains were also discovered this morning, Monday April 29th, in an alleyway close to the railway lines off Worsley Road, Eccles.
This follows earlier discoveries of human remains over the past three weeks, at Kersal Dale, Blackleach Reservoir and Colliery Wood, all in Salford.
Greater Manchester Police
Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski (25/04/1956) and Marcin Majerkiewicz (10/04/1982) both of Worsley Road, Eccles, have been charged with murder.
They are set to appear at Tameside Magistrates Court this afternoon.
While formal identification is still ongoing, the remains found at Kersal Dale are believed to be of a local man in his 60s. The remains found at the other three locations are still to be tested, but police are confident they belong to the same victim.
ACC Sarah Jackson said: “We have had large numbers of officers, staff and specialists working diligently on this investigation over the last three weeks. It has been very much a large, collective effort, with the victim and family at the heart of it from the outset.
“We have specially trained officers deployed to support the family as they come to terms with this tragic news. They are aware of this morning’s further discovery and will continue to be kept up to date with how we are progressing.
“Despite the charges brought today, our work is far from over.
“The scenes we already have established in Bury and Salford will remain in place for much of this week whilst our searches and enquiries continue. Local officers will continue to patrol the impacted areas to provide reassurance.
“We will continue following every line of enquiry to recover and reunite the victim with his family, bringing a dignified end to this terrible scenario.
“I’d like to thank the communities of Salford and beyond for their cooperation throughout this investigation. I know this incident has come as a shock, and the support we’ve had from those in the area is very much appreciated.”
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