Stockport Independent Issue 209

NOVEMBER 2026 4 A BIG-HEARTED seven-year-old from Denton has raised over £1,100 for char- ity after conquering Wales’ highest peak. Freddie and his family completed their sponsored walk up Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon last month. The young fundraiser decided to take on the challenge to support peo- ple affected by homeless- ness in his community. Prior to the trek, Fred- die visited Emmaus Mossley to learn more about how the charity helps people build con- fidence and gain skills. “It makes me sad to see homeless people and I wanted to help in any way I could,” said Fred- die. “I really enjoyed doing Snowdon, espe- cially all the climbing. It was easy and I want to do another big mountain next year.” His mum, Kirsty, cheered on his determi- nation and enthusiasm throughout the journey. She said: “The weather was awful but we did it and it was all for a great cause.” “Freddie was amazing – he was in front help- ing everyone along and he can’t wait to do the next one.” Emmaus Mossley provides a home and tailored support for up to 26 people at its resi- dential community. The money raised by Freddie will directly suppor t plans to upgrade the charity’s community building and facilities. “We’re all enormously grateful to Freddie and his family, not only for the money they’ve raised, but for the kindness and deter- mination behind it,” said Ant Hopkinson, from Emmaus Mossley. A NEW defibrillator has been installed in Marple. Kinderview Day Nursery Mar- ple, of Edwards Road, now has a defibrillator. The piece of kit which could save someone’s life following car- diac arrest, is located outside in a 24/7 accessible location for the people of Marple. The equipment and its installa- tion was paid for by a local online prize draw operator High Peak Comps, after the nursery won a free-to-enter competition to have a defibrillator sorted at their site. Charles Edwards is owner of High Peak Comps, and his com- pany has paid for 23 defibrillators to be installed across Stockport, Derbyshire and Tameside. “We want this defibrillator to never be used at KinderView Day Nursery,” said Charles. “But we sure are glad to know it is here, and I’m sure the Kinder- View family and the good people of Marple will be too. “This is the second defibrillator we have paid for in Stockport, and the third overall.” As well as hosting online prize draws every single day, with prizes such as cars, cash and tech- nology, High Peak Comps hosts contests for good causes through proceeds from their online prize draws such as the High Peak Comps Defibrillator Wheel. “If you know of a location in Marple or beyond that may ben- efit from having a 24/7, outdoor defibrillator please contact spon- sorship@highpeakcomps.co.uk to nominate a location. STROKE survivor Andy Shaw has officially announced that his inspiring 3km “Shawsy’s Stroke Strides” fundrais- ing walk will take place on 17th April 2027 at the indoor track at Manchester Regional Arena, Etihad Campus. Andy’s challenge marks an extraordinary milestone after a life-threatening stroke on Christ- mas Day 2022 left him unable to move his left side. Following emergency brain sur- gery at Salford Royal Hospital, he arrived at Stepping Hill Hospital’s Stroke Unit E1 unable to walk and barely able to speak. Four months of specialist care, rehabilitation and remarkable determination helped him make progress once thought impossible. Now enjoy- ing a good quality of life with his wife, Bernadette, and their family, Andy is training with a walking group and specialist personal trainer. Each hard-won step will raise funds for Stockport NHS Charity and bring hope to future patients. “The ward staff were so good to me that I wanted to give some- thing back,” Andy said. “I’mnerv- ous, I’ll be tired and I don’t know how long it will take me, but I’m working hard, and I’m confident I can do it.” To date, Andy has raised an incredible £2,300, more than four times his original £500 target, and is now aiming to reach £5,000. Andy is calling on anyone who shares his passion for making a meaningful difference to the hos- pital’s Stroke Unit to get behind him and show their support. Whether they walk beside him, cheer him on or donate to his campaign, every show of support will help Andy turn his extraor- dinary courage into hope, comfort and better experiences for future stroke patients and their families. Kate Leadbeater, Stockport NHS Charity Manager, said: “Andy’s courage and determi- nation are truly inspirational. Shawsy’s Stroke Strides celebrates his recovery and our exceptional staff who support stroke patients and families every day. We will proudly support him every step of the way.” A LOCAL business has made a monu- ment to posterity to celebrate its 200- year anniversary. Shepherds Friendly, a local mutual society based in Haw Bank House oppo- site Cheadle Green, buried a time capsule and planted an English hornbeam tree to celebrate 200 years since they were founded. The time capsule offers a pastiche of what life is like in Cheadle village today, and also featured letters and drawings from the schoolchildren of Cheadle Village Primary School, who helped bury the capsule. The tree, meanwhile, will be the first of its kind to be introduced on Chea- dle Green. It comes with a plaque to commemorate the day. Cheadle Civic Society were also there on the day. Andrew Frazer, chair of the Cheadle Civic Soci- ety, said: “Cheadle has an incredibly rich history, and Shepherds Friendly has played its own part in it. “Having the schoolchil- dren capture what life is like in the village was a fantastic exercise and everyone had an enjoyable time on the green planting a beautiful tree for future generations to enjoy.” Jonathan Sandell, Chief Executive at Shepherds Friendly, said: “This was a truly special way to mark 200 years as a mutual soci- ety and it was made even more so being joined by the civic society and children of Cheadle Village Pri- mary School. “Cheadle is and has been Shepherds Friendly’s home, and it was great to give back to the village in this small way. The tree also received a lot of com- pliments on the day.” Shepherds Friendly was founded in Ashton-un- der-Lyne on Christmas Day in 1826. It started as a sickness and ben- efits society, and now offers insurance, ISAs and investments. Stroke survivor sets date for 3km fundraising walk Andy and wife Bernadette with stroke unit colleagues and supporters in the unit’s therapy garden. (Image: Stockport NHS) Time capsule buried and tree planted to mark anniversary Local business Shepherds Friendly buried a time capsule and planted an English hornbeam to celebrate its 200-year anniversary. (Image: Supplied) The young fundraiser wants to take on ‘another big mountain’ next year. (Image: Supplied) Mountain hike raises £1,100 Nursery’s new defibrillator Becky from KinderView Day Nursery Marple nominated the nursery for the competition. (Image: High Peak Comps) NEWSINBRIEF COUNTERFEIT toys have been removed from Stockport stores following safety concerns. Copies of popular toys, including Squishy Dumplings and NeeDoh, have been removed from shops across the country following the discovery that they may contain potentially harmful chemicals. AMAN died in Stockport town centre after falling from a bridge. The death is not being treated as suspicious. BURGLARIES around Stockport have reduced by almost a half in the last five years. Residential burglaries across Greater Manchester have dropped from 15,519 in May 2021 to 8,261 in August 2026, with Stockport seeing a decrease of 43 percent in this time frame. POLICE have issued an appeal for information following a spate of anti-social behaviour at a park in Stockport. Officers said have responded to reports of ‘ongoing issues’ at Brinnington Park. In one incident, a trampoline was set on fire in the park. The repair of the trampoline will cost around £3,000, Greater Manchester Police said.