Thousands of people participated in Sheffield Half Marathon to raise money for various charities
Sheffield Half Marathon saw thousands of people running for charity in the city yesterday, but here's a closer look at why some people got involved.
Jayne Grayson: I ran for Cavendish Cancer Care in memory of my mum, nan and sister
Jayne Grayson, 52, ran with the Valley Hill Runners to raise over £300 for Cavendish Cancer Care, an organisation providing support, counselling, and specialist services for thousands of people affected by cancer in Sheffield.
She said: "My nan, mum and sister all died from breast cancer and I have the genetic gene so it's a constant worry, but I keep on going to earn a little bit for this great cause.
"I know times are tough but I wanted to raise a bit of money for Cavendish Cancer Care as they are a vital charity."
Callum Penn: I raised money for Daring to Dream in memory of my sister Amy
Daring to Dream is a charity devoted to helping young patients with chronic illnesses live normal lives.
Callum Penn, a student at the University of Sheffield, said: "I decided to run for this charity as my sister worked very closely with them towards the end of her life, organising a ball that raised just short of £15,000 for them.
"Completing this challenge in her memory helped me process emotions, brought me closer to her and allowed me to contribute to a cause she believed so much in."
Callum took part in the race alongside his close friend Euan Escott and Euan's father Mark, who also raised money for Daring to Dream.
Euan Escott said he was initially unsure if he would take part in the marathon due to an injury in his foot.
He said: "On race day I felt pain in my injured foot around 9km into the race but was determined to push through, reminding myself of how small this setback was compared to the challenges Amy faced throughout her life, and the extraordinary bravery she showed."
Their combined total sits at almost £3000, a contribution they are all extremely proud of.
You can donate to Callum's cause here.
Theo Letts: I raised £186 for Teenage Cancer Trust
Theo Letts, 21, a student at the University of Sheffield, said: "I decided to challenge myself by running the half marathon - the first competitive half I've ever done, and by doing so I raised money for Teenage Cancer Trust.
"They do some incredible work supporting young people and, having friends who have experience the amazing support they provide, I'm so glad I could help them in their mission."
Charlie Lutz: I ran for Alzheimer's Society
Charlie Lutz, 21, a student at Sheffield Hallam University, said: "I raised £300 for Alzheimer's Society because dementia runs in my family and I wanted to get into a new hobby.
"I also quit smoking around a year ago and wanted healthier lungs."
Barnsley travel to Exeter City with automatic promotion hopes still on
Barnsley travel to Exeter City tomorrow night with faint automatic promotion hopes still intact, with The Tykes winning their last four matches convincingly in League One action.
Their last victory was the most impressive, unsettling Darren Moore's Sheffield Wednesday throughout the 90 minutes at Oakwell. This resulted in a 4-2 victory, Max Watters and Liam Kitching netting late on to end The Owls' astounding 23 match unbeaten run.
Now, Michael Duff's men have Exeter City in their sights.
The Barnsley manager isn't however getting carried away by his side's recent blistering form, calling for calm ahead of what could be an unpredictable few game weeks.
He hasn't even looked at the current league standings, The Tykes six points off that coveted 2nd spot.
He said: "I've genuinely not thought about it. One thing the weekend does show you, you can't take anything for granted.
"No matter how much you think 'that's a banker' - you look at some of the results from the weekend. It has a funny habit, football, of kicking you in the nether regions. We just need to keep focussed on ourselves."
Gary Caldwell's Exeter City do come into this contest off the back of a barnstorming 5-0 victory over Accrington Stanley, Grecians new boy Demetri Mitchell scoring the pick of the bunch in a resounding win.
Another new face in the building at Exeter also scored against John Coleman's Stanley, ex Hull City striker James Scott netting Exeter's fourth of the contest.
He spoke to Exeter City's website about the almighty challenge of Barnsley at St James Park on Tuesday evening.
He said: "Barnsley are on fire right now, 12 unbeaten but we've just won 5-0 and if we take that into the game I feel we can beat them.
"We will recover, eat well and drink well on Sunday, then come back in on Monday and go over everything and go again on Tuesday.
"I'm knocking on Gary's door every day for a start! But seriously the team is doing so well and I'm happy and when I come on I try and do my best and give my all."
Exeter City v Barnsley will kick-off at St James Park on Tuesday evening at 7:45pm. YouTube highlights will be available on both Exeter and Barnsley's channels after.
Local charity fights against the demolition of historic Sheffield building
The demolition of Mappin's Coffee House, which was bought by KMS Estates, is being challenged by a charity and protesters.
Leading the campaign against the demolition is Hallamshire Historic Buildings (HHBS), a volunteer-run charity which aims to protect the architectural heritage of Sheffield and surrounding areas.
They claim the commercial development business KMS Estates Ltd are attempting to fast-track the building's demolition.
The charity said on their main site: "Mappin’s Coffee House complements the Victorian shop fronts alongside it. The proposed replacement building would be a disproportionate and overbearing blight on London Road."
HHBS have put forward the hashtag #savemappinscoffeehouse in an effort to get the preservation of the building trending.
They claim that unless Sheffield City Council intervene with an Article 4 direction to protect the building, then the Steel City could face losing the landmark as early as 5 April.
HHBS stated they found this decision "by accident" with no prior notification from the city council planning department. As of this week, the charity found over 110 people objecting to these development plans.
"This is a socially important and locally innovative building designed by one of Sheffield’s most prominent
architectural practices for an outstanding philanthropist, social reformer and metal trades entrepreneur.
"It makes a strong contribution to the streetscape both in its architecture and its illustration of historical development. Its loss
would be both very regrettable and unnecessary."
For those seeking to help the charity, the organisation has asked to contact a local councillor and help create the Article 4 direction.
The planning application can be found here.
“Excessive” fines mean South Yorkshire Animal Rescue will close after 40 years in business
South Yorkshire Animal Rescue, a local business in Walkley, announced their closure this week after 40 years due to online shopping and "excessive amounts of parking fines."
The charity and pet rescue shop was established in 1983, and rehomed and rehabilitated thousands of animals, such as hedgehogs and cats.
The owners displayed a sign that claimed their closure was due to passing trade in the area "falling dramatically over the past couple of years."
A local resident said: "There used to be all sorts of shops in Walkley. Butchers, paper shops, wool shops.
"I think parking is a problem — we don't like the fact that the council has blocked off access to Crookes, and I think more and more people shop online nowadays."
The company also stated that the quality of charity shop donations has decreased, with many people selling their things on second hand sites such as eBay and Vinted.
Another local said: "It's very sad, but Walkley is a transient place There's a lot of young people who move on so we tend to get a lot of new changes with businesses moving on.
"People haven't got money to keep the stores going and I have to go to the cheapest unfortunately."
New radical film festival will provide platform for discussion on International Workers’ Day
A Sheffield-based cinema group has organised a radical film festival to provide a platform for discussion about industrial action.
The Radical Film Festival, hosted by Community Kino, will allow people taking part in International Workers' Day to discuss social and political issues in a conversation guided by the films they are watching.
The festival will take place on 1 May at Sheffield Quaker Meeting House on Saint James Street, and is priced at £4.50 per film ticket.
Community Kino founder Jordan Blake, 32, said: “We want to show that it’s not just in cinema that these struggles are happening - it’s in your hometown, in Sheffield. Workers are striking, workers are winning, and here is how you can do it as well.
“The choice of films that we have and the choice of people that will be involved in the discussions are designed to celebrate but also offer an insight into what is going on in Sheffield.”
Two Ken Loach movies, Bread and Roses and The Spirit of '45, will be shown in the festival and a further date will be added to highlight films by other directors.
Notice boards, which Mr Blake has dubbed ‘coordinates of struggle’, will be set up in the venue to inform attendees of what events and strikes are taking place and how they can get involved.
Groups such as Sheffield TUC, Chile Solidarity Network, The World Transformed, Green New Deal Rising, and independent bookstores and publishers have shown their support and are collaborating with the event.
Mr Blake said: “There seems to be a lot of excitement about it. We’ve had a lot of people get in touch who want to be involved.
“People are excited that there’s something cultural that's political. It’s not just a demonstration or a protest or a talk, they can actually have fun while discussing things like this.”
Community Kino was set up in January 2023 as a community cinema that offers more than just film viewings.
The meetings, which take place on the second Wednesday of every month, offer meals, a film and a platform for guided discussion on social and political issues.
Budget for childcare – an important step forward or one big misunderstanding?
The plans to expand childcare provision for pre-school children has been met with a mixed response from nursery providers and parents.
Jeremy Hunt announced in the Spring Budget last week he wanted to ease the burden of juggling early years childcare and working, but a think tank has voiced its concerns around a funding gap in the Chancellor's plans.
The government has allocated £204 million in 2023-4 to help solve the problem, reduced the staff-to child ratios from 1:4 to 1:5 to match Scotland and announced start-up grants for childminders.
It was also announced by 2027, children aged between nine months and three years will be entitled to 30 hours of free childcare.
But The Women’s Budget Group (WBG), who have praised these initial steps, said: "Anything less [than a £9.4bn total] risks worsening the sustainability crisis of the early years sector, which has been underfunded for far too long."
The network of organisations, academics and policy experts which focus on the impact of governmental policy on women have identified a funding gap a £5.2 billion, needed to cover the cost of ensuring that the correct staff training and resources are in place for the free childcare hours proposed.
They said: "It is even more important now that the funding for the free hours of childcare covers the true costs of delivering them."
Research by the Office for Budget and Responsibility forecasting state the new plans could see an employment increase by 60,000 by the financial year of 2027/28.
But with more and more women being encouraged back into the workforce, nurseries will inevitably face pressure to accommodate an increasing number of children. This could present issues surrounding quality care, staffing, and overcrowding.
A Sheffield nursery manager, who wishes to remain anonymous, said childcare settings have been chronically and knowingly underfunded by the government. She claims the new plans are insufficient and likely to result in loss of quality care.
She explained how those paying for childcare are charged at the higher rates to make the setting sustainable, but if all childcare is funded then the system won't be able to cope.
The nursery manager also criticised the government for focusing largely on offering parents a lifeline, rather than the impact this will have on children's lives, stating: "Never once did anyone talk about the children".
"Never once did anyone talk about the children."
The nursery manager also explained staff are leaving the industry to work in supermarkets, including Aldi, for more money.
However, Jeremy Hunt's announcement was welcomed by parents from across Yorkshire.
Charlotte Thompson, 30, a midwife and mum from Leeds, felt a great sense of financial relief when she heard the budget announcement, explaining how the change will allow her the freedom to return to work and maintain a social life.
She said: "With childcare costs as high as they are, it seemed as though I was having to sacrifice [my son's] time at nursery to maintain financial stability at home."
Ms Thompson feels her limited budget meant having no choice but to limit his interaction with other children.
Mother-of-two and midwife, Sophie Taylor, 30, from West Yorkshire, echoed this point. She praised the plan's ability to reduce the financial burden of childcare costs, but remains sceptical about where the increased money and infrastructure will come from during the current economic crisis.
It was declared the plans will come into effect in April 2024, meaning parents and legal guardians will have to bear the financial burden for another year.
Holly Essex, 37, a midwife from West Yorkshire, is expecting her first baby in the next couple of weeks.
She said: "Childcare is extremely expensive in the UK, so even though my husband and I are both in well-paid jobs, how we pay for childcare is still a big concern."
While the plans may be welcomed by some parents, others have expressed frustration at the government for pressuring mums to send their children into childcare.
Twitter user, @DrSpock_PhD, highlighted studies promoting the importance of children spending time with their parents in their earliest years.
Mother-of-two, Michelle Rossi, 41, from West Sussex, agrees. She believes the Budget should have reduced essential living costs so mums can afford to work part-time, or not at all during the first five years of their child's life. For her, this Budget is a short-term solution to have more people in work paying tax.
"We must invest in our young. And that's not putting them in full-time, underfunded babysitting services with inexperienced childcare," she said.
"We must invest in our young. And that's not putting them in full-time, underfunded babysitting services with inexperienced childcare."
Another critic of the government’s proposed free childcare scheme has called the income qualifier for receiving the childcare “illogical”. If two parents earn £95,000 each they are entitled to free childcare under the chancellor’s rules, but if one parent is on £100,000 and another on £20,000, they would lose the free entitlement altogether.
Dan Neidle, founder of Tax Policy Associates, argued parents earning over £100k will see a significant drop in their disposable income. For him, high salary earners should have the choice to work the hours they want to, despite their level of income.
He said on Twitter: "You may say we shouldn't care about people earning £100k. You're wrong. Doctors, IT consultants, air traffic controllers... If we are deterring them from working additional hours then I think that's a big problem."
This leaves the question - does Mr Hunt's childcare reforms advance gender equality in work, or does it fail to recognise the nuances of parenthood and the requirements of women across the UK?
Sheffield Wednesday fans react to stuttering form following second loss in a week
Wednesdays 1-0 loss to rock bottom Forest Green Rovers on Sunday has increased the pressure on the promotion chasing Owls.
Jordon Garrick scored for Rovers in the 35th minute as Wednesday fell to a shock fifth defeat of the season.
Before last weeks 4-2 defeat at rivals Barnsley, Wednesday had been on a club record 23 game unbeaten run.
One Wednesday fan claimed the hard work had been undone by the last two defeats.
Another user, Krisswfc69, described it as 'One of the worst displays I've ever seen'.
Some fans have been slightly more optimistic about the teams current situation.
Kelly Robinson said: "the result yesterday was a hard one to take but we can't forget the fact that this team have been amazing."
The Owls are currently second in League One, two points behind leaders Plymouth Argyle, but with a game in hand on the team above.
Wednesday fan Mark Reid said: "If somebody had in August that by the end of March you were going to be three points in front of third with a game in hand to go top you'd have snatched their hand off."
The S6 side travel to Cheltenham Town on Wednesday as they try to get their season back on track and achieve promotion back to the Championship at the second time of asking.
"I'm confident that we will still got top two, but I was more confident we'd win the league prior to yesterday" said Mr Reid.
Sheffield celebrates Women’s Football Weekend at The Home of Football
Sheffield celebrated Women's Football Weekend at The Home of Football on Sunday, with Sheffield FC Women's and Peterborough United Ladies playing out a 1-1 draw.
Women's Football Weekend aims to encourage anyone to come down to their local women's side and take in what there is to offer, with the tagline being 'Pick a Pride, Back A Side.'
Support for the women's game is vital, especially as the football calendar begins to run down for those specific sides.
Sheffield FC Women's only have five games left to play in Division One Midlands this campaign, John Bennett's team currently occupying 9th position.
The Sheffield FC Women's manager even had family supporting in the stands, his Dad - also called John - is a keen regular at Sheffield FC and advocate for the women's game.
He said: "I think the effort the girls put into football is fantastic to the tune where I'd rather watch a girl's match than a Premier Division match to be honest!"
Peterborough United Ladies came into this contest in more positive spirits, travelling up to the North after a convincing 3-0 win over Leafield Athletic.
Increased attendances at the Posh Ladies have added to the feel good factor at the club, with a number of away supporters from Peterborough present for this Women's Football Weekend encounter.
Dan Lawlor, who manages Peterborough United Ladies, spoke of the changing attitudes towards the women's game pre-match.
He said: "Women's football has gotten so much more coverage over the years, especially since the Lionesses (England Womens winning the Euros)
With that in mind, anyone who comes to watch it will always have a different opinion on it. When you actually come and watch what these girls have to offer and what they can do, they're such good footballers."
The game on the day was an end-to-end, full-blooded affair.
Peterborough United Ladies scored within the first few minutes, Keir Perkins for the visitors crossing to Tara Kirk to place past Sheffield FC Women's goalkeeper Leah Kellogg.
Sheffield FC Women's instantly responded - and after spurning a few opportunities - levelled courtesy of a defensive mix-up from the Posh Ladies.
After that, the home side missed a penalty with the atmosphere at The Home of Football backing both sets of players in what was a competitive affair.
The final score would finish 1-1, a great advert for the women's game.
Speaking to volunteer Peterborough United Ladies' photographer Emma afterwards and keen supporters on the day, it's clear lots of good is being done at both these clubs.
She said: "They're amazing. The staff, the team, the supporters, everyone.
"It's made me feel like I'm really part of it all. It's fun!"
Visiting the world’s first football club on Non-League Day
Great sausage sandwiches, a cheerful atmosphere and last-minute equalisers: What other reason would you need to watch Sheffield FC?
Sheffield church to host jazz concert fundraiser for displaced Ukrainian mothers, children and pregnant women
A jazz concert fundraiser is planned for the start of April in Sheffield to raise money for displaced Ukrainian mothers, children and pregnant women.
The concert, at Heeley Parish Church, is organised by the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) Sheffield branch in collaboration with the Reading Jazz Community, and will have a band perform including singers, a drummer and a pianist.
Tanya Mykhaylyk, one organiser of the event, spoke of the 'constant desire' she feels to help those struggling from her birthplace of Ukraine.
She said: "There's a constant desire to help Ukraine in one way or another. We are constantly doing something - sending parcels, helping our friends. We are doing a lot every day.
"But, this particular idea. My best friend called me, she's a musician and from Ukraine. She called me saying they organised a fantastic sponsored concert in Reading. During that conversation, we decided to do something similar in Sheffield."
The charity of choice that funds will go to is 'Unbroken Mothers' - an organisation based in the city of Lviv in Ukraine. They aim to resettle those affected by the conflict especially if they're a new mother, a child or pregnant.
Ms Mykhalyk said she was 'touched' when she first heard about the organisation.
She said: "It's really touching. I have a young granddaughter.
"When you see these children suffering, it's one of the worst things. So, I thought - every single case is touching - but young babies and pregnant women. It's a deserving case."
Although the event will be free, donations are encouraged, with the event not only aimed towards those of the Ukrainian community but for everyone in Heeley, to 'come together' and celebrate that Ukraine is still 'standing.'
This event in Heeley will happen just a few months after the University of Sheffield announced two new Ukrainian language courses, allowing those in the UK to begin picking up Ukrainian to help overcome any language barriers.
For Ms Mykhaylyk, this is a fantastic initiative and one that will allow those displaced by war to integrate easier.
She said: "I think it's a brilliant idea, I didn't know about that.
"When the war started, we invited our relatives to Europe for a two week trip to then bring them to the UK. I could see that they had, really, a big language barrier. I actively speak with a lot of refugees from Ukraine as well, the language barrier is there. That's a fantastic idea."
Tickets for the Jazz concert fundraiser, on 1 April, can be obtained online.
Ms Mykhaylk wanted to thank the generosity of those in the UK who have donated considerable amounts to many charities helping Ukraine.
She said: "The support and generosity of this country (UK) is absolutely amazing. Every single Ukrainian, back at home, feels it.
"All my friends, they say, please tell the UK how grateful we are."
University of Sheffield professor secures major funding for the “Albert Hall of the North.”
Morecambe Winter Gardens is set for a remarkable restoration, thanks to a £2.78 million grant secured with the help of a Sheffield professor.
The seaside theatre was once one of the country’s most popular venues, drawing tourists from across the UK. The funding was awarded by the Cultural Development Fund, helping the building to return as one of the best music venues in the north of England.
Professor Vanessa Toulmin, Director of City and Culture at the University of Sheffield, grew up in Morecambe. For the past three years she has been Chair of the Morecambe Winter Gardens Preservation Trust.
Professor Toulmin said: “This is a historic day for the Winter Gardens and marks the single biggest investment in the theatre for over 100 years. I am overjoyed for the residents of Morecambe who have shown such love and loyalty to the building over the many years of disappointment, thankful for the support of my Board, our Partners, our donors and funders and of course our wonderful volunteers.
"We still have a long way to go, but this funding gets us nearer to our ambition of making our building sing and be known once again as the people’s palace – the Albert Hall of the North.”
A group of dedicated volunteers formed the Preservation Trust in 2006 and have since worked tirelessly on the building's improvement. They've cleaned, restored, and fundraised to bring the building back so it can once again be at the heart of the region’s entertainment, culture and economy.
The funding, which is the largest single investment the venue has received in over a 100 years, will also be used to launch a new work experience initiative to help young creatives from Lancashire get access to and develop careers in the arts industry.
Sheffield United Women lose out to Lewes after assist of the season from Grace Palmer
Sheffield United Women lost 3-2 to Lewes on Saturday in a thrilling encounter at Bramall Lane leaving the side one place, but nine points from the foot of the table.
Ellie Mason almost gave Lewes the lead in the 5th minute, managing to pirouette around a defender after taking a heavy touch when stealing the ball from goalkeeper Stenson, but she dragged her shot just wide of the far post.
A free kick from out-wide in the 10th minute resulted in Sophie Haywood managing to head the ball on target at the back post, but the effort lacked the power to challenge the Lewes goalkeeper.
Lewes’ midfielder Amelia Hazard had a good game, carrying on her fine form from last week's FA Cup match against Manchester United, and her ball across the box in the 14th minute would’ve resulted in a certain goal if not for a fine block by United’s defence.
It was United in the end who scored first. Courtney Sweetman-Kirk bagged her fifth goal of the season from a corner midway in the first half, using movement to get free at the back post and head past Sophie Whitehouse.
Hazard continued to impose her influence on the game, and the 22-year-old battled superbly to win the ball and drive it across the box, which Kirsty Barton swept first time into the top corner only 6 minutes after United took the lead.
The game did not stay at 1-1 long after the break, with Ellie Mason capitalising on a defensive error in the 46th minute to drive down the left into the box and fire into the top corner.
United’s response was strong. It was 2-2 a few minutes later when defender Naomi Hartley cushioned a wide free kick into the far corner after a superb delivery from Bex Raynor.
It was three goals in 15-minutes - and the best moment of quality in the game shortly after. 18-year-old Lewes midfielder Grace Palmer picked the ball up just over the half-way line and played a stunning through ball with the outside of her boot to slot in Ellie Mason, who finished coolly for her second goal of the game.
The game grew into a bit of a stalemate in the final 30 minutes, but Georgia Walters was presented with a half-chance right at the death when a Hazard tried to head clear a free-kick which had been dinked into the back post.
The clearance fell to Walters, who tried to cut across the ball but sent it wide past the right of the goal.
After the game, United manager Jonathan Morgan said he was disappointed with what he saw as a self-inflicted defeat – claiming that the goals were more a gift from errors than creativity from the opposition.
Morgan said “We’re building, we’re trying to become better in possession which, in fairness to the girls, over the course of this year they haven’t had a lot of that because of the way the season’s gone.
“We want to make sure we keep focused to retain this level.”
Lewes boss Scott Booth was also disappointed with the manner of the goals his side conceded, but understandably delighted with the win.
He reserved praise for Grace Palmer, who’s pass must go down as one of the assists of the season.
He said: “Grace is doing really, really well, she’s learning all the time, she’s developing all the time, and she’s very young but she’s had a lot of game time this season.
“We’ve seen already, that she’s a player constantly developing and getting better every game.”
The match was streamed for free on The FA Player, which you can find here to watch full matches, highlights, and interviews from the women’s game.