Council to decide if KFC branch can stay open until 4am after public objections
IMAGE: N Chadwick
Two Green Party councillors are arguing Ecclesall Road's KFC should be refused extended opening hours amid public health and residential disturbance concerns.
Sheffield City Council (SCC)'s Licensing Sub-Committee will decide tomorrow whether the fast food chain's request for an extension from its current 11.30pm closing time to 4am should be approved.
SCC's Public Health department recommended refusing the fast food chain's request for extended hours, citing the area as a "high-risk area for crime and disorder" and sharing concerns about noise, traffic disturbance and littering.
Public Health also presented evidence that the combination of takeaway shops and establishments serving alcohol contributes to disturbance, disorder and antisocial behaviour in the area.
It pointed out that the branch sits in an area of deprivation higher than the national average, and that high numbers of fast-food outlets in areas of higher deprivation can be associated with the rise in obesity.
"Extending this premises closing time to 4am risks exacerbating existing health inequalities," the recommendation read.
Green Party Councillors for Broomhill and Sharrow Vale, Angela Argenzio and Brian Holmshaw, also argued against extending KFC's opening hours.
In similarly-worded emails, the councillors asked the Licensing Committee to reject the application: "The late opening of licenced premises already affects local people, with an increase in antisocial behaviour, noise, and taxis waiting with their engines running.
"Also, extra litter has been reported, and more importantly there has been an increase in crime against women (sexual harassment), especially in the area near the botanical gardens, which are opposite the location of this business."
Gethin Spencer, 23, a student who lives on Ecclesall Road, said he would prefer for the establishment to remain closed after midnight, despite it being his favourite KFC in Sheffield.
"I don't want anyone on a drunken night out flocking past my house, loud and rowdy, and I don't want KFC to be the benefactor of why I'm losing sleep," Mr Spencer said.
However, KFC's representative rebuked these claims, calling the councillors' concerns "broad" and "area-wide", without "premises-specific evidence".
KFC also said the application was not objected to by South Yorkshire Police.
"The absence of a police objection is the strongest indicator that our extended hours will not undermine the crime and disorder objective," said the response.
It suggested that noise disturbances would be limited because of the premises' door closing mechanism, and that staff will conduct litter patrols within the precinct every 30 minutes after midnight.
"There is no evidence of safety concerns arising from this site," the representative added.
Sheffield screening of “No One Rides Alone” platforms rare disease
A veteran with a rare disease was joined by his friends to cycle the 1955 Tour de France route, making a sports documentary to raise money and awareness for his disorder.
Clive Phillips has Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN), a rare disorder where his immune system attacks his motor nerves. This makes it hard for the nerves to send electrical signals that move the body.
One of his symptoms included having the hand strength of a healthy 90-year-old, prior to treatment.
Less than 1 in 100,000 people suffer from MMN and it is often misdiagnosed as Motor Neuron Disease (MND) or other similar conditions.
Flipping the acronym, Clive is also founder of Making the Most of Now (MMN), a healthcare and patient advocacy for people with rare diseases. He worked in partnership with Silvereye Films to make the film "No One Rides Alone".
The film sets out to prove that someone with MMN can take on such a colossal challenge.
Clive is joined on the cycle by fellow veterans, Jon Ager, Frank Culvervell, Steve Shirley and Dave Walker.
Along the journey they also had Paralympians Ben Watson and Ilaria Brugnoli cycle alongside the group.
The film is currently touring in the UK, to begin the fundraising for Inflammatory Neuropathies UK and GBS/ CDIP.
It showcased in Curzon Cinema, Sheffield on Thursday 12 March which fellow cyclist Mr Walker was able to attend.
Mr Phillips said that the best part of the tour so far has been creating a sense of community especially when 'having a rare disease can be so isolating'; one screening had three people with MMN present.
A major theme of the documentary was 'giving people the pleasure of being able to help you' this was something Mr Phillips clearly found difficult during the challenge and still after.
He said: "I don't want to be the first person going actually, I am struggling. Because naturally you don't want to slow everybody down, you don't want to be the weak link.
And I had to and that’s probably my biggest lesson, that I need to be really honest about where I am at.”
After the screenings, Q&A sessions were held giving the audience a chance to ask questions both about the rare disease and process of filming the documentary.
When asked about his initial reaction to Clive asking him to partake in the challenge, Mr Walker, said: "It sounds like an interesting adventure and what a great opportunity to support a mate.
Clive needed my help, so it wasn’t something I can say no to.”
The UK tour of "No One Rides Alone" comes to an end Wednesday 18 March, before the film begins screening in Australia and New Zealand and then the USA.
To watch a trailer of the film click here.
Starmer outlines key steps to protect Brits’ energy prices
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has offered reassurances to those most exposed to rising heating oil prices, by pledging £53m to "vulnerable families".
The PM outlined a five-point plan at a briefing this morning where he has promised greater government control of the oil market by capping and cutting energy bills and regulating the UK oil market.
The plan will fast track the government's clean energy plan of £90bn in investment for clean British energy, especially nuclear energy.
Sir Keir has also promised a swift resolution to the war in Iran and was damning of those who would follow the US into war with Iran.
"That is not leading, that is following," he said.
The conflict in Iran and the subsequent blocking of the Straits of Hormuz has meant the price of oil has sky rocketed, reaching highs of $120 (£90) a barrel last week which is a 66% increase from before the American bombing of Iran.
Consequently, the government has released emergency oil stocks at an unprecedented level, along with providing the £53m will helpfully curb these effects for those whose houses are primarily heated by oil.
The PM shared his own experiences of hardship growing up in a working class family in the 1970s, and said: "This government will always support working people."
In the long-term however, the governments plans to fast track green energy are crucial in combatting growing instability in the Middle East.
The PM was also keen to stress that the government were working with their allies to reopen the Straits of Hormuz and generally improve the stability of the region.
He said: "We cannot allow the war in the gulf to turn into a windfall for Putin."
Sir Keir has met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday morning, with plans in place to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the afternoon.
Sheffield charity provides safe space and support for young asylum seekers
A Sheffield charity group is supporting young refugees and asylum seekers to settle into the city and make friends through a youth project.
The Happy Group, run by Chilypep, provides a safe space where young people can socialise, take part in creative activities and access support to help them adjust to life in Sheffield.
Chilypep is labelled to be a young people's empowerment project, with locations in Sheffield, Barnsley, South Yorkshire and beyond, with the aim to raise the voices of young people and aid them in staying connected.
The Happy Group runs regular sessions for those who have recently arrived in the UK, including activities such as arts and crafts, cooking and social trips.
The aim of the Happy Group is to give young people a sense of belonging and help them integrate into the local community in Sheffield.
The group also works in collaboration on various campaigns to promote the rights of young migrant people in Sheffield and across the UK.
If you wish to support the charity through donation, you can do so through visiting Chilypep's website here.
Sheffield protesters rally over Iran crisis
Iranians took to Sheffield city centre on Sunday to protest against the Islamic Regime in Iran.
Protesters gathered at Sheffield City Hall with flags and placards, singing national songs and chants to show patriotism while calling for political change in Iran.
One protester said: “We want freedom, we don’t want this government who has destroyed this country (Iran)”.
The demonstration was part of a wider wave of protests around the world as tensions surrounding Iran have grown.
In January, the largest ever protest took place in Iran calling for the removal of the current government, which led to thousands of protestors being killed.
On February 28, President Trump and Prime Minister of Israel, Netanyahu, launched surprise missile airstrikes leading to the death of Iran's former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iranians in Sheffield took to the streets to celebrate his death.
However, as he has now been replaced with his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, they are calling for a complete dismantling of the government in support of a “free Iran”.
At the protest they thanked and celebrated the actions of President Trump and the Prime Minister of Israel, Netanyahu, for their involvement in the war and the removal of the former Ayatollah Khamenei.
Another protestor called for countries, including the UK, to remove their support of the Mullah, clerics who hold power in Iran, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who are loyal to the supreme leader and have an enormous amount of influential influence beyond the military.
The protester said: “They are outsiders of Iran. We’re asking the UK government to not support the Mullah, please.”
The war in the Middle East has been ongoing for just over 2 weeks.
This protest is one of many and Iranians in Sheffield have stated they will continue to protest until they witness a ‘free Iran’.
Crookes councillor pushes for private landlords to improve housing standards across Sheffield
A local councillor has called for a licensing scheme, which holds landlords accountable for housing repairs, to be made city wide.
Two previous pilot schemes saw a total of £1.45m improvements of housing repairs. They forced landlords to fix £250,000 repairs on a small scale in Chesterfield Road, London Road, Abbeydale Road and Page Hall.
The Crookes and Crosspool councillor, Minesh Parekh, said the council has a tendency to deprioritise "student heavy areas" such as Crookesmoor and Broomhill.
Mr Parekh said: "I don't think anyone's housing quality should be left to chance, left to a lottery system."
The scheme in Page Hall saw the largest improvements of £1.2m which shows the potential of a landlord licensing in Sheffield.
Sheffield resident Abi Cowley, 20, lives at home, but she often witnessed her friends struggling with student accommodation as small repairs were often dismissed.
Nationally the Renters Right Act will be enforced in May 2026. This will change fixed term tenancies for private renters to a monthly rolling contract.
Initially, this will provide more security for tenants over their landlords.
Mr Parekh said: "In student heavy areas, you've got more transit to your population and therefore you've got people who are potentially less likely to raise issues with the council than other areas with large numbers of private renters."
The Labour government in December 2024 lifted the requirement of Secretary of State approval being needed for selective licensing schemes.
The previous restrictions in 2015 meant schemes required general approval and for at least 20% of the area had to be covered in the planning for it to be reviewed by the government.
The landlord licensing scheme motion is being considered by Sheffield City Council.
The councillor urged renters to contact councillors on the housing committee and to email phs@sheffield.gov.uk to show support for a landlord licensing scheme.
Student loan inquiry opens as average graduate debt reaches £53,000
The Government is calling for evidence from those with a "lived experience" of student loans, as the Treasury Committee opens an inquiry into mounting levels of graduate debt.
According to their website, the inquiry aims to find out whether current loan repayment agreements are fair for graduates, and to tackle "widespread dissatisfaction among graduates who may not have fully understood their repayment terms and the possibility they could change."
Student loans are offered to any student enrolled on a recognised full-time higher education course, and are split into tuition loans, to be paid directly as fees to the university, and maintenance loans, which change depending on the needs of the student.
According to the House of Commons Library, there is £267bn of student loan debt in the UK, with a new £21bn given out each year between around 1.5 million students.
Estimates suggest total student loan debt will reach £500bn by 2050 based on current repayment rates.
The average debt per person for those who left university in 2024 was £53,000, with many doubtful they will ever be able fully repay them.
In the 2025 budget, the Government announced it would freeze the loan repayment threshold for those with plan 2 loans, which is most people who joined university between September 2012 and July 2023 for three years.
This means that these graduates will begin to pay their loan back on any income over £29,385, paying 9% of anything earned over this threshold.
At the same time, those with plan 2 loans will get 6.2% interest on their debt whilst studying.
The freeze means that the repayment threshold will not increase alongside inflation as it has previously, with National Union of Students (NUS) vice-president Alex Stanley saying it is now "dangerously close" to the minimum wage.
A study by the Higher Education Statistics Agency found that the average graduate salary in Yorkshire and the Humber was only £28,165, meaning that the majority of people would not even reach the threshold to start repaying their loans.
On their website, the NUS have called the freeze a "stealth tax" on graduates, and called for better terms which allow graduates to pay their debt off faster than it grows.
At the same time, very few students appear to fully understand the terms of their loans, and how much debt they will have after they graduate.
The Government inquiry will aim to look at whether the student loan repayment system is currently unfair and, if not, how it should be changed to make it more equitable.
Potential measures being considered include scrapping interest on student loans, and altering interest rates depending on income.
You can submit evidence to the inquiry here.
Sheffield’s wood burning problem: How will one of the UK’s most densely polluted cities be affected by government consultation?
Wood burning stoves are a growing method of heating and Sheffield is no exception to this phenomenon, with the South-West of the city having one of the highest densities of wood burners in the north.
A two-month Government consultation ends this week, with new guidelines on wood-burning-stoves to be addressed, in an attempt to reduce emissions from homes.
Wood burning is one is the main sources of particulate pollution in the UK, and many residents have voiced their concerns over the impact. Between August 2023 and September 2024, 208 complaints were made to Sheffield City Council, who sent 135 warning letters, but issued zero fines.
One woman from Totley, who wishes to remain anonymous, feels the increase of people using wood burners has significantly affected her family. She believes that her mother developed respiratory problems due to someone's wood burner.
The occupants had installed a chimney, causing smoke to enter through her bedroom window. She said : "My mother was waking up at two in the morning with asthma symptoms.
"She had never had asthma before, but suddenly when she woke up she couldn't breathe."
Her mother was provided with a monitor to measure pollutants and particulates, but she claims the readings were inaccurate.
She feels this problem is part of a bigger issue around the need for cleaner air in Sheffield. "I can't go out running in winter because of the choking flames on my street, you're just not breathing fresh air," she said.
Sheffield City Council announced a clean air zone in the city centre in 2023, to reduce harmful emissions by drivers. Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs), vans, and taxis must pay a £10 daily fine, £50 per day for coaches, buses and lorries, if they do not meet Euro 6 diesel standards.
Despite these limitations, there is no legislation on wood burning inside the city. Our anonymous source said: "I'd like to move closer to the city, but I just don't dare, the smell (from wood-burning) is so much stronger."
"How is this in the spirit of the clean air act? It's not."
She called for stronger Government legislation and council enforcement to prohibit wood-burners. "The council have absolutely neglected this issue," she said. "They are neglecting communities."
Sheffield Wire has contacted Sheffield City Council for comment.
South-West Sheffield is one of the densest spaces for wood burner usage. Sheffield Wire travelled to Hunters Bar to discover whether people use wood burners and what their feelings on the heavily debated source of heating are.
Everyone we asked owned a wood burner, but they had differing opinions on their effects and whether legislation should be introduced.
Yannia, a local resident, said rising gas prices have made wood burning a much cheaper alternative. "It's the only way people will keep warm at this moment in time," she said.
"I'd cut down trees to keep my family warm, if it wasn't for a log burner what would young working families do?"
Matt, 32, shared concerns about potential legislation, believing it would be too controlling on individual's way of life. He was one of many residents who suggested alternate heating methods. "There are better ways to log burn ethically, if you're educated there's not much of a problem," he said.
"Burning timber is better than coal, if we can make timber readily available that's a better approach."
Matt said he was currently looking at buying a house, and due to rising energy costs, has decided to purchase a log burner. "I don't want to rely on the war in The Middle East for oil prices," he said.
Emma, 50, another resident also suggested alternate heating methods."We should move more towards a heat pump, it uses electricity generated from natural resources, it's less polluting to the atmosphere," she said.
"A cleaner air environment should be what we're aiming for, wood burners pollute the atmosphere, we should have some legislation."
"I do accept for some people it might be the cheapest option," she admitted.
Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said they ignore the environmental impact of wood burners because of their convenience. It's so expensive to heat the home, the convivence of a wood burner means she doesn't think about long term impacts, she said.
The Iran war has completely obscured oil prices with the price per litre of oil having doubled since the start of the conflict, many people may see wood burning as a much cheaper alternative.
Our first anonymous source disagreed that cost was an issue. She described wood burners as a 'middle-class phenomenon'. She said: "The vast majority of people using wood burners can afford it." She described them as a 'decoration piece', not a way of saving money.
But risks of pollution remain. Dr Maria Val Martin, a researcher at the University of Sheffield has published multiple articles on greenspace and air pollution disparities in urban Northern-England. Her research shows ethnic minorities in Sheffield face higher NO2 (nitrous oxide) levels and lower greenspace density exposure, with wood burning concentrated in colder, more deprived regions.
Charities have published significant warnings on pollution levels in the city. Mums for Lungs state fireplace usage leads to a 70% higher risk for lung cancer with air pollution in the home causing 2,500 premature deaths. They state an open fire emits over 4,000 times more than a particulate matter pollutant (PM2.5) than a gas heater.
Another charity, Clean Air for Sheffield, has been campaigning against wood burners since 2017. They have previously run art exhibitions in the Moor, to highlight PM2.5s and clean air awareness.
This week, both charities have expressed their concerns about lobbyist threats to anti-wood burning campaigns.
The Stove Industry Association (SIA), has threatened at least eight councils with legal action over public information campaigns which claim wood burners are "careless not cosy", stating this is in breach of UK advertising laws.
Mums for Lungs said this is even more reason for people to respond to harmful wood burning.
They have expressed worries about what the Government consultation will achieve.
Labour are set to introduce health warning labels on new wood burning stoves , with a sticker providing information on energy levels of fuel made mandatory. The Government has said this will: “provide customers with the information they need to make informed choices, including information about the health impacts of domestic burning."
Mums for Lungs believe this is not enough. "This might sound promising but actually this won't reduce the current high levels of wood burning pollution at all," they said.
Our main anonymous source agreed that this was not sufficient. "There should be annual MOT's on them, like we do on cars," she said.
Journalist Sam Gregory, who has worked with Mums for Lungs, feels the issue is awareness, and believes people are unaware of the dangers of wood burning. Mr Gregory claims the proposed Government reform is not enough. He said the Government is worried about it becoming a bigger issue. Mr Gregory said wood burners should be banned within five years, with a complete ban on wood burners in homes with children necessary.
The Government's full scheme will be revealed this week, but for now Sheffield residents are left unsure whether any further action to provide a cleaner, safer environment will be taken.
Cathedral pilgrimage fundraiser for homelessness charities
Members of Sheffield Cathedral set out on a charity walk on Saturday, as part of fundraising effort to travel 100km (62.1 miles) on foot over the next week for two homelessness charities.
The mammoth journey of reflection and physical endeavour, starts from Vigo, where the group are tackling part of a section of the Camino de Santiago known as the Camino portugués, or Portuguese way.
The charities, The Archer Project and The Choir With No Name, who will benefit from the fundraising, work closely with the Cathedral, helping those affected by homelessness and marginalisation in Sheffield, and the UK.
The group said practicing for the walk with members from both charities brought "a reflection of the spirit of solidarity that runs through the challenge".
"It's about walking together as a Cathedral community, supporting each other, and raising awareness and funds for causes that matter," they said.
Sheffield Cathedral, The Archer Project, and The Choir With No Name have a close relationship; volunteers from the charities are walking the Camino with the ten members of the Cathedral community.
The group have been out with members of the charities to build up their walking fitness ahead of the Camino challenge.
The Archer Project is a Sheffield-based charity which offers a pathway of support to those at all stages of homelessness across the region.
For over thirty years, the organisation, which started as tea and toast from congregation members, has provided education, mental wellbeing, and healthcare support for thousands of people experiencing homelessness.
Lucy Wilks, the Deputy Head of Fundraising at The Archer Project, said: "The money will help us cover the costs to keep our doors open.
"From meals in the kitchen, to activities, and heating and lighting, it will make sure our doors are open whenever someone needs."
The charity aims to support people away from homelessness, and "towards living more meaningful and fulfilling lives", not simply finding accommodation.
The Choir With No Name is an independent UK-wide charity which runs choirs for people who have experienced homelessness and marginalisation.
Sheffield's Choir With No Name
The joyful, supportive communities created by these choirs, who meet once a week for a cuppa, a sing, and a hot meal, have performed across the country, including at world-class venues such as the Brighton Dome.
Their Sheffield-based choir, which is the charity's newest addition, rehearses in the Cathedral, and works in partnership with The Archer Project.
Rachel Clare, Head of Development at The Choir With No Name, said the Cathedral offers a sanctuary space for rehearsals, where members feel welcome, and safe.
"It is life-changing for our members - liberating, uplifting and life-affirming- to have the choir as a chosen family.
"It can make the difference between someone returning to homelessness or not."
By coming together in this Camino fundraiser, the charities have been able to strengthen their relationship, which is already a strong partnership.
Ms Clare said: "Collaborating together is the name of the game, it means we can come together to deliver, for the most vulnerable people in the city."
The group walking, who are currently on the Camino fundraising trip, said: "The choir is a constant reminder of the power of singing to bring people together."
Just three days into the groups' spiritual adventure up the Galician coast, the Give as You Live page has raised £4,214, which equates to 70% of their total target of £6,000, and will be split evenly between the two charities.
A spokesperson for the Cathedral said: "Together, these charities provide both the essentials of daily life and the things that give life meaning — dignity, creativity, community, and belonging."
The pilgrim team is led by by The Very Reverend Abi Thompson, Dean of Sheffield Cathedral, Tom Dagget, Director of Music, and Richard Taylor trustee of The Archer Project and member of the Cathedral Fabric Advisory Committee, who all walked a section of the Camino last year.
They are joined by people who represent elements of the wider Cathedral family, from music and schools, to chaplaincy, governance and congregation, as well as other walkers who want to support the charities, and experience the challenge.
At the end of their second day of walking, reports from the group, who had done between 30-40,000 steps on the first day alone, were of "kind and sunny weather" in Galicia.
What is the Camino de Santiago?
The Camino de Santiago, or The Way of St James, is a network of trails and paths that have been used by pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela for over 1,000 years.
Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Camino has multiple start points and trails, which all end in the capital of Galicia at the site of the shrine of the apostle St. James.
The group will be travelling north on the Camino portugués from Vigo, to Santiago de Compostela. Credit: Google maps
The oldest route, the 322km (200-mile) Camino Primitivo, or Original Way, was first used in the ninth century, when King Alfonso II travelled to Santiago to verify the relics of St. James.
The Camino francés, or French Way, is the most popular, with the Camino portugués the second most popular among the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from across the world who travel these paths each year.
As pilgrims travel along the trails, they collect stamps to verify their journey, with walkers being required to travel 100km, and cyclists 200km, to a earn a certificate once they have arrived in Santiago,
This has developed as a custom from the early tradition of collecting a Galician scallop shell as proof of completing the journey, which is now the symbol of pilgrims.
As well as Christian pilgrims on a journey of prayer, the Camino attracts hikers who are drawn to the physical challenge of the trails, and those who wish to experience the famous camaraderie and community amongst pilgrims.
Travelling between basic albergues- simple, dormitory-style hostels- pilgrims often experience a spiritual and material retreat from modern life, no matter their religious beliefs.
If you want to donate click here .
Mayor unveils major £1.5bn transformation for South Yorkshire transport
At a packed-out Sheffield City Hall today, South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard launched a bold new transport plan.
Mayor Coppard took the stage to announce a "once in a generation opportunity," calling today the "end of failed privatisation" with a vision that he hopes will "bring together a myriad of plans and proposals under one brand."
The South Yorkshire People's Network (SYPN) will be a community-led organisation set to bring back "pride, purpose and prosperity".
He announced large-scale transport reform, starting with the reveal of the SYPN and it's logo, a tracing of the route from Sheffield to Doncaster, and an orange and grey colour scheme, inspired by South Yorkshire's industrial heritage.
The event was hosted by Tanya Arnold and featured speeches from Simon Lightwood MP, transport minister and MP for Wakefield, former Olympian and Tour de France participant Chris Boardman OBE, and Barnsley student and MiCard holder Bailey Hargate.
Key stakeholders from around South Yorkshire were also in attendance, such as Living Streets, a charity that works to make roads safer for pedestrians.
Zack Viney, the charity's campaigns and public affairs coordinator, said: "It'll be great to see fully integrated transport, all while looking out for people's choice and freedom for them to walk and wheel around."
Following the announcement, Mayor Coppard said: "People are at the heart of the people's network, and it will deliver for its people."
During the event, he laid out the SYPN's timeline, coming as early as September 2027, with a new Magna train station at Rotherham, and a £350m investment in buses to make them "calmer and clearer".
He also wants to match Barnsley's MiCard scheme, announcing the SYPN's intention to make bus travel for U18s completely free by 2027.
From 2028 to 2030, the Mayor hopes to bring in a new e-bike subscription scheme with 900 e-bikes being introduced to Sheffield and the introduction of passenger flights from Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
Following this, South Yorkshire will utilise a £500m government scheme to introduce improved trams that will cater to the needs of the people, able to carry dogs and bikes while extending the tramlines to Rotherham.
Additionally, after 2030, the SYPN hopes to have hourly trains from Sheffield to Leeds and Manchester, while also improving rural and urban transport links and making all railway stations step free.
From 2040 and beyond, Mayor Coppard wants the SYPN to be the "envy of the world, because people deserve confidence when we step outside."
Radio 1 DJ heads to South Yorkshire in charity bike ride
Greg James will embark on a journey through towns like Dinnington and Doncaster in an effort to raise money for Red Nose Day, as part of his 2026 Comic Relief Longest Ride challenge.
He is travelling thousands of kilometres from Weymouth to Edinburgh across eight gruelling days before arriving in time for the Comic Relief telethon on Friday evening. The breakfast presenter has already raised over £190,000 for the charity.
Speaking on BBC Radio 1, he said: "I'm 80km into day four and the donations gave me a huge boost.
"I'm just so determined now, even though my legs are screaming at me."
The streets of South Yorkshire will be out in their masses to support Greg tomorrow, who's challenge is the longest ever for a Comic Relief fundraiser.
Facebook groups have been quick to advertise the event, urging schools and others to get onto the streets and cheer for one of Britain's most loved DJs.
Greg's route on Tuesday 17 March begins in Worksop before ending in York, totalling around 60 miles.
After being joined by Birmingham's Joe Lycett for today's leg, will a famous South Yorkshire counterpart be in attendance tomorrow?
Sheffield United Women celebrates disability inclusivity in headlining game at Bramall Lane
A special night of football under the floodlights at Bramall Lane between Sheffield United Women and Newcastle United Women celebrated inclusivity for disabled fans with the charity Level Playing Field.
Unite for Access works in collaboration with the Women's Super League to celebrate good access and inclusion at sports venues. This year's campaign took place from 28 February to 15 March.
Sheffield United Women's players wore white T-shirts with Unite for Access and Level Playing Field written on the front and back during warmups.
Players from both sides also walked out to little mascots holding the Unite for Access flag.
The club said on its website: "Sheffield United is proud to be involved in 'Unite For Access' - a celebration of access and inclusion for disabled sports fans.
"Disability can be a complex subject matter, and that is why we invite both disabled and nondisabled fans to engage with us through this important campaign and to ensure access and inclusion is at the heart of everything we do."
The special night of tribute continued with the Sheffield United and Newcastle United players, staff and fans standing for a minute of silence to pay tribute to 15-year-old goalkeeper Amelia Aplin, who passed away playing for Oxford United academy.
The match itself ended in a 1-1 draw. Both goals came late in the first half, with the home side taking the lead thanks to Simone Sherwood before Emily Murphy equalised for the visitors just less than five minutes later.
Sheffield United Women's head coach, Stephen Healy, said he was pleased with the point against a playoff contender but felt like they could have got more with the missed chances at the end of the game.
Healy said: "I'm yearning for those three [points] ultimately. [Newcastle United is] competing for that playoff spot, and it's another point on the board for us. So in terms of the work that we're doing, I'm really pleased with the girls and the performance that they put in."
This was the first game back for The Blades after the international break and their first league game since 1 February against Charlton.
Midfielder Mollie Rouse was frustrated to see chances being wasted and Connie Scofield's effort hit the post but was generally pleased with the progress: "Considering the lack of games we've had recently, it's a good result and our performance was good enough, and I think it's something to build on.
"This is actually the first time we've had the full first team bench this whole season, which is exciting, as a player starting and seeing people come on, knowing that we can keep pushing on," Rouse reflected on the squad depth, "We're having a three-game week, we need that depth."
Sheffield United Women will travel to Sunderland and Birmingham on 18 March and 22 March before returning to Bramall Lane on 28 March to host bottom-placed Portsmouth.