Cheshire Independent Issue 213

MAY 2026 4 YOUTH academy players fromMacclesfield FC and first teamers from Crewe Alexander have used their footballing skills to deliver a winning recy- cling message. They have teamed up with Cheshire East Council as part of the authority’s ‘Be the BIG Difference’ campaign. The players have taken part in a series of short, fun videos that use football challenges to show how residents can recy- cle right at home and cut down on waste. Filmed at Crewe’s training grounds, next to Reaseheath College in Nantwich, and at Macclesfield’s Leasing.com Stadium, the videos mix foot- ball skills and competitive spirit with clear messages about putting the right waste in the right bin. The videos aim to raise awareness of how small actions – like rinsing items, knowing what can and can’t be recycled, and recognising when items shouldn’t be going in any household bin – can make a big difference to the quality of recycling collected across the borough. David Jefferay, who chairs the council’s environment and communities committee, said: “We’re really grateful to have the support of both clubs for our campaign, and their energy has really helped to Some cracking Easter fun! Easter treats: The town hall event proved a hit with young and old (Photo credit: Congleton Town Council) Players’ recycling goal is a winner Message: Young players fromMaccles!eld FC who took part in the !lming (Photo credit: MFC) FAMILIES turned out in numbers to enjoy a free, fun-filled ‘Easter Treats’ event in Congleton. Originally planned for the town centre, the event was moved indoors to the town hall when bad weather was forecast. The change did little to dampen spirits, with chil- dren and families enjoying a wide range of free activities throughout the morning. Organised by the town council, the programme fea- tured a variety of interactive stalls and activities. They included Easter arts and crafts with Artspace; a plank challenge and archery with Everybody Leisure; seed planting with the In Bloom team and Rotary’s wild- life stall. Youngsters also had the chance to try out circus skills with Jayroll, and face painting by Wizard of Arts. Deputy town mayor Suzy Firkin said: “It was wonder- ful to see so many families come together and enjoy the Easter activities. “The town hall was full of energy and smiles, and it was a pleasure to see children getting involved, trying new things and having fun. A big thank you to all the organi- sations who helped make the event such a success.” bring these important mes- sages to life in a way that’s memorable and reaches people of all ages.” The football videos will be released across Cheshire East’s social media channels over the coming weeks. Bob Trafford, sponsorships director at Macclesfield FC, said: “Everyone at Maccles- field FC jumped at the chance to be involved. “We hope that the mes- sages contained within the campaign will resonate with everyone across our local area, and we will see a positive impact from their implementation.” A CHESHIRE dad took on the Manchester Marathon as a dedicated “thank you” to staff at MacclesfieldDis- trict General Hospital. Zachary Weaver-Shojaie stepped out for the run to raise cash for the hospital’s Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAU) and the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU). The staff working in those departments provided life-changing support to his family during a journey marked by both devastating loss and the eventual joyful arrival of his daughter. It was Zachary’s first-ever marathon, a challenge he set his sights on after finding his way back to running for his own wellbeing in late 2024 to turn his personal challenges into a positive force for the hos- pital units that stood by him. He said: “InMarch 2024 we suffered a silent miscarriage. We learned of it a matter of days before the 12-week scan that we had just allowed our- selves to become excited about. “The loss was crushing, but at every step of this difficult journey, the EPAU staff were so loving, kind and supportive that they carried us when we struggled to carry ourselves. Zachary’s marathon effort for hospital “We were so glad to be able to return to EPAU to share the news of our second pregnancy. Our beautiful daughter was born in May 2025. This was following a traumatic birth following which mummy and baby each needed support, extending over several weeks. “During this time, SCBU and other staff at Macclesfield helped to support our daughter so that mummy could try to focus on recovery and I could get some semblance of rest. “As I sat, physically and emotionally exhausted, in the SCBU experiencing the support that was being pro- vided to us, I committed to giving something back – and decided that I would seek to use the marathon as a chal- lenge by which to fundraise for the units.” After returning to running in 2024 to support his mental health, his training was severely interrupted by a car accident last September. Despite being unable to run for months, he has spent much of 2026 working with physi- otherapists to ensure he can cross the finish line to hon- our the staff who supported his family. Speaking before the run he said: “I remain steadfast that the pain I feel from running is physical. It cannot rival the mental anguish faced by so many who benefit from the support of EPAU and SCBU. “If all this time, effort and aching results in one preg- nancy journey being in any way less difficult, it will be worth it.” Determined: Zachary and his family (Photo credit: ECNHST)