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Nine-Year-Old Boy Walks 12 Hours Across London to Raise Funds for Children’s Hospital

Nine-Year-Old Boy Walks 12 Hours Across London to Raise Funds for Children’s Hospital

Barney Thomas completes his fourth fundraising march to support the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.

A 9-year-old boy has walked through the night across London to raise money for a children’s hospital that saved his life. Barney Thomas, from Bristol, and his father Darren Thomas, 36, along with his godfather Bradley Hackett, 36, completed a 12-hour “midnight march” from 6 pm on Friday evening until 6 am on Saturday morning, covering key landmarks in central London.

The trio began their journey from Paddington Station, walking past Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, and Tower Bridge, before catching the first train back home. Barney said the toughest part was dealing with sore feet, but he felt “joyous” and proud of his fundraising effort, which has raised over £1,700 so far for the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.

This march was the fourth fundraising effort for the hospital, following a challenging start to Barney’s life. Born with two holes in his heart, Barney had surgery at 11 months old to repair the condition and has since dedicated himself to giving back through various charity events.

Reflecting on the march, Barney said, “I feel tired but proud that we’ve done it – I feel joyous. My feet hurt, and it was a little bit tiring, but it was OK.”

His father, Darren, said the event was emotionally overwhelming, particularly after seeing how close they were to meeting their £1,500 fundraising target. “When we got back to Bristol we had hit it, and I had a bit of a tear in my eye,” Darren said. “I was really elated by the whole thing, I felt chuffed.”

Both father and son suffered blisters during the march, but the sight of how much they had raised motivated them to keep going. Darren added, “It was so motivating to see how many people had donated. We didn’t expect to raise that much.”

To support Barney’s fundraising efforts, visit his JustGiving page at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/barneysmidnightmarch.

Cameron Warns of ‘Destructive’ Impact of Small Boats Crisis on Trust in Politics

Cameron Warns of ‘Destructive’ Impact of Small Boats Crisis on Trust in Politics

Former Prime Minister stresses the importance of addressing illegal migration to safeguard the UK’s immigration system and public faith in government action.

Lord David Cameron has warned that failure to address the issue of small boat crossings would be “destructive” to the UK’s political system, undermining public trust in government action. Speaking in an interview with The Telegraph, the former Prime Minister emphasised that tackling illegal migration, particularly through dangerous Channel crossings, was crucial to maintaining the integrity of the UK’s immigration policies and ensuring that people continue to trust politicians to act in their interests.

Cameron, now serving as Foreign Secretary, described the Government’s controversial Rwanda policy as “the best Bill to get the job done” and urged rebellious Tory MPs to support the initiative. He called on the Foreign Office to play a greater role in supporting Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s pledge to “stop the boats” by fostering migration dialogues with countries whose citizens are making dangerous crossings to Britain.

According to Lord Cameron, visible illegal immigration, such as the small boat crossings, can severely damage a country’s legal migration framework and erode the public’s confidence in political leaders. “Having very visible illegal migration is incredibly destructive to a country’s legal migration and immigration system, and it’s also destructive to people’s view of the ability of politicians and governments to act on their behalf,” he said.

Looking ahead, Cameron noted that the Rwanda Bill would return to the House of Commons in the new year, where it is expected to face opposition from both the right-wing of the Conservative Party, who want tougher measures to bypass international courts, and more centrist members who are concerned about the UK’s international reputation. However, he insisted that the bill was designed to achieve the policy’s goal of reducing illegal migration.

Cameron further argued that the European Convention on Human Rights was not the obstacle preventing deportation flights to Rwanda, despite ongoing concerns about legal challenges. Reflecting on his time as Prime Minister, Cameron recalled his own battle with the ECHR over prisoner voting rights, where he famously resisted the European court’s demands and won the dispute.

Parents of Brianna Ghey Reflect on Their Daughter’s Legacy of Strength and Confidence

Parents of Brianna Ghey Reflect on Their Daughter’s Legacy of Strength and Confidence

Murdered transgender teenager remembered as talented, witty, and courageous by her grieving family and school community.

The parents of Brianna Ghey, a 16-year-old transgender girl tragically murdered in February, have shared emotional tributes to their daughter, describing her as a “fearless” and “witty” individual who was filled with talent. Brianna, who was fatally stabbed in Linear Park, Culcheth, Cheshire, on February 11, was the victim of a brutal attack for which two young individuals were found guilty.

Outside Manchester Crown Court on Wednesday, Brianna’s mother, Esther Ghey, tearfully spoke about the profound loss of her daughter. “Brianna was larger than life. She was funny, witty, and fearless. Our house feels empty without her laughter,” she said, struggling to come to terms with her loss.

Peter Spooner, Brianna’s father, expressed the intense pain he felt every day, knowing he would never see his daughter again. “It breaks me every day,” he told reporters. “I remember the faces she would make to make me laugh, her cheeky giggle, and funny dances – these memories are etched in my mind.”

Reflecting on his daughter’s bright future, he shared how proud he was of Brianna’s achievements, particularly the support she received from her growing TikTok following. “I knew she was going to be a star,” he said. “The amount of love she got from her followers proves just how talented and special she was.”

The grieving parents condemned the lack of remorse shown by Brianna’s killers, with Esther stating that their actions had taken away their sympathy for them. “They’ve shown no remorse,” she said. “But I do feel empathy for their families. They’ve also lost a child, and they must live with the knowledge of what their child has done.”

Peter Spooner described the pain of his daughter’s murder as “heartbreaking” and expressed his anger over the cruelty of the act. “I hate that her life was taken so brutally,” he said. “She was deprived of the future she deserved. I can’t comprehend how someone could do something so vile.”

Brianna’s mother also described her as a young woman who was unafraid to be herself. “She was fearless about being who she wanted to be,” she said. “She didn’t see her gender identity as a hurdle; it was just who she was.”

Emma Mills, Brianna’s headteacher, also praised her for being “loud, proud, and confident” in her identity. Mills told the BBC, “There was never any evidence that Brianna was bullied. She was able to hold her own in any situation.” Mills expressed frustration at how Brianna had been portrayed as a victim in the media, stressing that Brianna had always lived proudly and confidently.

Brianna’s tragic death has left a deep void in the hearts of her family and school community, but her parents are committed to keeping her legacy alive by remembering her strength, talent, and courage.

Carabao Cup Semi-Final Draw Revealed: Chelsea, Liverpool, Fulham and Middlesbrough Set for Showdown

Carabao Cup Semi-Final Draw Revealed: Chelsea, Liverpool, Fulham and Middlesbrough Set for Showdown

Big Matches Await After Exciting Quarter-Final Action

The Carabao Cup 2023/24 semi-final lineup has been confirmed after an action-packed quarter-final night. Liverpool sealed their spot in the final four with an impressive 5-1 victory over West Ham, with Curtis Jones scoring twice alongside goals from Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo, and Mohamed Salah. Despite a stunning strike from Jarrod Bowen to make it 3-1, West Ham’s hopes of a comeback were dashed in an emphatic display by the Reds.

Chelsea had already secured their place in the semi-finals, having fought back to earn a late equaliser against Newcastle before triumphing in a tense penalty shootout at Stamford Bridge. In another thrilling quarter-final, Fulham and Everton were locked in a fierce battle that also went to penalties, with Fulham emerging victorious.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough made history as the only Championship side to reach the semi-finals, dispatching League One’s Port Vale 3-0 with ease.

Here’s how the semi-finals shape up:

Chelsea vs. Middlesbrough
Liverpool vs. Fulham
The semi-finals promise to offer exciting contests as Chelsea face the surprise package Middlesbrough, while Liverpool and Fulham prepare for an all-Premier League clash.

Fans will be eagerly awaiting the upcoming ties after a thrilling round of action, with these semi-finals now set to determine the two teams who will compete for the prestigious Carabao Cup.

Irish Government Files Legal Challenge Against UK Legacy Act

Irish Government Files Legal Challenge Against UK Legacy Act

Legal Action Over Human Rights Concerns Regarding Northern Ireland’s Troubles Legislation

The Irish government has initiated legal proceedings against the UK’s Northern Ireland Legacy and Reconciliation Act, arguing that it breaches the European Convention on Human Rights. The controversial Act, which passed in September 2023, has sparked opposition from victims’ groups, political parties in Northern Ireland, and the Irish government.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar confirmed that legal advice indicated the Act violated human rights protections, particularly regarding justice for victims of the Troubles. The Irish government has taken the matter to the European Court of Human Rights, seeking a judicial review of the legislation. Varadkar stated that they had no alternative but to pursue this course of action after failing to convince the UK government to reconsider the Act.

The Act includes provisions for limited immunity from prosecution for individuals who cooperate with the newly established Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery. This aspect has raised concerns among victims’ families, who argue that it undermines accountability.

In response, Chris Heaton-Harris, the UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, expressed regret over the Irish government’s legal challenge. He described it as “unnecessary” and stated that the issues were already being reviewed in UK courts. Heaton-Harris also pointed out that, unlike the UK government, the Irish state had not pursued criminal investigations into Troubles-related cases, calling the Irish government’s actions inconsistent.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, accused the Irish government of hypocrisy, arguing that it had not done enough to address crimes committed during the Troubles within or from its jurisdiction. He claimed that Ireland’s failure to pursue justice for those crimes meant it had no standing to challenge the UK’s approach to legacy issues.

This legal dispute highlights ongoing tensions regarding how best to address the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The Irish government’s decision to take legal action underscores the significant differences between the two governments on how to achieve reconciliation for victims of the conflict.

Phil Salt Smashes Record Century in England’s Highest-Ever T20 Score to Level West Indies Series

Phil Salt Smashes Record Century in England’s Highest-Ever T20 Score to Level West Indies Series

England’s explosive batting performance levels the series at 2-2 ahead of the decider.

Phil Salt’s explosive century propelled England to their highest-ever T20 score, as they levelled the series at 2-2 against the West Indies with a dominant performance in Trinidad. Salt followed up his match-winning century in Grenada with another brilliant knock, smashing 10 sixes and seven fours to finish with 119 off 57 balls at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba.

Salt’s belligerent innings broke England’s previous record for the highest T20 score by an individual batter, surpassing Alex Hales’ 116. England posted a massive total of 267 for three, with Jos Buttler (55 off 29 balls) and Liam Livingstone (54 off 21 balls) contributing significantly in an explosive middle order, ensuring England reached the fifth highest total in T20 history.

Salt’s back-to-back centuries in the Caribbean — having scored 109 not out in Grenada — were instrumental in levelling the five-match series. England’s previous highest T20 score of 241 for three, set against New Zealand in 2019, was easily eclipsed. Buttler and Salt shared a stand of 117 in just 9.5 overs, laying a solid foundation for Livingstone to accelerate in the final overs.

The West Indies’ bowlers struggled throughout, with debutant Matthew Forde leaking 54 runs from three overs, and both Jason Holder and Gudakesh Motie conceding 55 each from four overs. Akeal Hosein was the standout bowler for the hosts, claiming one for 36, but the Windies were left with an impossible task as they set out to chase the colossal target.

In response, the West Indies managed to reach 192 before being bowled out, with Reece Topley taking three wickets for 37. The chase got off to a poor start with the dismissal of opener Brandon King on the first ball bowled by Moeen Ali. Despite some aggressive hitting from Nicholas Pooran (39 off 15 balls) and Sherfane Rutherford (36 off 15 balls), the West Indies never really threatened the target.

Andre Russell top-scored for the hosts with 51, but England’s bowlers, including Sam Curran and Rehan Ahmed, ensured that victory came swiftly, confirming a comfortable win for England with a significant margin.

The series now heads into a decisive final match, where England will aim to seal the series after a dominant all-around performance.

Ukraine Seeks 500,000 More Soldiers to Join Fight Against Russia, Says Zelensky

Ukraine Seeks 500,000 More Soldiers to Join Fight Against Russia, Says Zelensky

Ukrainian President highlights the need for increased military personnel amid ongoing war with Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that the country’s military is aiming to mobilise 500,000 more soldiers to strengthen its armed forces in the ongoing conflict with Russia. Speaking at his end-of-year news conference on Tuesday, Zelensky described the proposal as a “highly sensitive” issue that is currently under discussion by the military and government before being submitted to parliament for approval.

Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has been in a state of war, and although both sides keep casualty numbers confidential, US officials estimate that hundreds of thousands of soldiers on both sides have been killed or wounded. While Ukraine has not disclosed its exact military strength, it has previously stated that it has approximately one million people under arms.

Meanwhile, Russia has also been ramping up its military forces, with plans to expand its army to 1.5 million soldiers. In response, Ukraine’s military has proposed conscripting an additional 450,000 to 500,000 soldiers to bolster its ranks. Zelensky acknowledged the sensitivity of this decision, noting that the expansion would have significant implications, stating, “It’s a question of people, fairness, defence capability, and finances.”

As the war has progressed, Ukraine has faced growing challenges in recruiting volunteers, with the initial wave of tens of thousands of fighters now dwindling. In light of this, Ukraine is looking to implement improvements to its conscription process. Public backlash has already been sparked by videos circulating on social media, showing draft officers distributing call-up papers in gyms and resorts, leading to anger among some Ukrainians.

The decision to mobilise such a large number of soldiers is seen as a critical step in Ukraine’s effort to defend itself against Russian forces, but it remains to be seen how it will be received by both the public and parliament.

Erling Haaland Injury: Pep Guardiola Gives Worrying Update Ahead of Club World Cup Final

Erling Haaland Injury: Pep Guardiola Gives Worrying Update Ahead of Club World Cup Final

Man City will be without Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Jeremy Doku for the final against Fluminense.

Manchester City will be without their star striker Erling Haaland for Friday’s Club World Cup final against Brazilian side Fluminense, after the Norwegian forward failed to recover from a persistent foot injury. Haaland travelled with the team to Saudi Arabia for the global tournament, despite missing the last three matches, but was not included in the 23-man squad named by Pep Guardiola for Tuesday’s semi-final victory over Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds.

The injury-plagued forward, who has been struggling with a foot issue, also missed training on Monday. Guardiola confirmed that Haaland still couldn’t train and would not be available for the final clash. The same applies to Belgian winger Jeremy Doku, who is nursing a muscle injury, and captain Kevin De Bruyne, who has not featured since the opening match of the season due to hamstring surgery.

Guardiola gave an update on De Bruyne’s recovery, stating: “Kevin started training yesterday and will train with us again on Wednesday. He is improving, but it’s been four months since he last played.” However, despite the positive news about De Bruyne’s progress, none of the trio will be eligible to play in the final due to tournament rules, which state that only the 23 players chosen for the semi-final can participate in the final.

The absence of these key players is a significant blow for Manchester City as they prepare to face Fluminense for the prestigious Club World Cup trophy at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. Haaland, Doku, and De Bruyne were all present on the bench for Tuesday’s win, but were replaced in the squad by youth players Max Alleyne, Mahamadou Susoho, and Micah Hamilton.

City fans will now have to wait and see if Haaland, Doku, or De Bruyne will be fit for the team’s next Premier League match against Everton on December 27. Haaland’s injury will have seen him miss five consecutive games by then, with City’s next few fixtures against Sheffield United also uncertain for the injured trio.

Walker Scobell: Percy Jackson TV Series Delves Into ‘Every Little Detail’ from the Books

Walker Scobell: Percy Jackson TV Series Delves Into ‘Every Little Detail’ from the Books

14-year-old actor praises the new series’ ability to faithfully capture the essence of Rick Riordan’s novels.

Walker Scobell, the 14-year-old actor portraying Percy Jackson in the upcoming Disney+ TV adaptation, has praised the series for its ability to explore “every little detail” from the beloved books. Speaking at the premiere of Percy Jackson and the Olympians in London’s Leicester Square, Scobell explained how the episodic format of the show allows for deeper exploration of characters and storylines, giving fans of Rick Riordan’s novels a more complete experience.

“This series has something for everyone,” said Scobell. “Fans of the books will love it, and those who haven’t read the books yet will have a great opportunity to dive in. The format of the show really lets us flesh out each character and gives us the time to include every little detail from the books.”

Co-star Leah Jeffries, also 14, who plays Annabeth Chase, echoed Scobell’s sentiment, noting that their age aligns perfectly with the characters as written in the books. “This is a series we’re going to grow into, and we’re the right age to do it just like it is in the books, with all the detail included,” she added.

Rebecca Riordan, the show’s executive producer, also shared her thoughts on the authenticity of the adaptation. “It’s very faithful to the books, but because the series isn’t told in first-person, we’re able to expand the world beyond Percy’s point of view. We get to explore moments that weren’t seen in the books because Percy wasn’t there for them,” she explained.

The series follows a young Percy Jackson as he embarks on a perilous journey across America to return Zeus’s master bolt and prevent a catastrophic war. After the loss of his mother, Percy seeks refuge at Camp Half-Blood, a sanctuary for demigod children, where he must confront his true origins and prove himself.

The new series will be a fresh take after the 2010 and 2013 film adaptations, which featured Logan Lerman as Percy. Percy Jackson and the Olympians will premiere with two episodes on Disney+ on December 20.

Serious Delays on Catford South Circular After B&M Lorry Crashes into Railway Bridge

Serious Delays on Catford South Circular After B&M Lorry Crashes into Railway Bridge

Traffic Disrupted as Lorry Becomes Stuck Under Catford Station Bridge

The South Circular road in Catford is facing significant delays on Saturday afternoon following a collision between a B&M articulated lorry and a railway bridge. The incident occurred when the lorry, unable to clear the 4.8m clearance of the bridge, struck the structure, leaving the truck precariously lifted onto its side wheels.

Emergency services, including the London Fire Brigade and Metropolitan Police, were quickly on the scene. The Met Police confirmed they were called at 2:16pm, and road closures were implemented as authorities worked to remove the lorry. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries.

The A205 is one of the busiest roads in south London, and Transport for London confirmed at 3:30pm that serious traffic delays were being experienced in both directions, particularly at the Catford Road junction. The Transport for London ‘jam cam’ showed slow-moving traffic, with the incident blocking both lanes near the Catford and Catford Bridge stations, close to St Dunstan’s College.

Local residents and commuters took to social media to share updates. One Twitter user, Lou Thomas, commented: “That’s the South Circular – one of the busiest roads in south London…” Another, Slim, warned others to “avoid Catford bridge” and estimated the disruption could last for up to three or four hours.

Lorry strikes in this area are not uncommon, and in recent years, the South Circular has been closed twice due to similar incidents, including a case where a Lidl lorry overturned.

The London Fire Brigade has been contacted for further comment on the situation.