Manx firefighter takes on Parish Walk in full kit challenge
While many do complete the walk that visits all 17 island parishes, the majority of those taking part set a target to reach the halfway point of Peel.Mr Hays said: "I'm looking to ideally travel between hopefully Peel and maybe Ballaugh at the furthest, which will be about 30 to 40 miles." About 1,100 walkers are expected to take to Manx roads as part of the annual challenge.
'Mental resilience'
It follows a similar challenge last year, when two of his colleagues took on the walk wearing firefighting helmets. But this year they wanted to "elevate it" and Mr Hays said he "voted myself in to do it" for the two charities.While it would be a big physical challenge, he said it would also test him mentally. He said: "Mental resilience is something that's quite big in the firefighting profession, just being able to kind of dig into what reserves you might have and just carry on with what's in front of you."Hopefully this proves that to the nth degree," he added.
To train Mr Hays said as well as going for walks of about 15 miles at a time wearing weight belts, he had also been walking on an inclined treadmill with sand in his cylinder for added weight.Starting off at the National Sports Centre at 08:00 BST, competitors will cross the finish line in the gruelling challenge on Douglas Promenade on Saturday.
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The Sun
40 minutes ago
- The Sun
Warning over ‘contaminated' tomatoes sold across UK after surge in deadly infection that left 100 ill & 14 hospitalised
FOOD safety chiefs have issued an urgent warning over a popular salad staple. Certain tomatoes have been linked to a deadly infection that's already left a dozen people in hospital. Health officials have sounded the alarm after a deadly salmonella outbreak was linked to tomatoes — with more than 100 people falling ill and at least 14 rushed to hospital. The alert comes after the worrying outbreak sparked fears over contaminated produce, prompting health bosses to advise shoppers to check their tomatoes carefully and follow hygiene advice. Two nasty strains of the diarrhoea -inducing bug have been behind the surge in cases this year, with experts pointing the finger at contaminated tomatoes as the likely culprit. Worryingly, the infections aren't limited to one region — cases have been reported across the UK, prompting a nationwide health warning from safety chiefs. Tests revealed that every case in the outbreak was caused by two rare strains of the bug — Salmonella Blockley and Salmonella Strathcona — with health chiefs warning the latter can cause particularly severe illness. S. Blockley is usually found in East Asia and the US, and has only been recorded a handful of times across Europe, making the spike in UK cases even more alarming. It comes as new figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show salmonella infections have soared in the first three months of 2025 — up significantly compared to the same period in 2023 and 2024. What is Salmonella? Salmonella is typically linked to meat, eggs and poultry — but experts now warn contaminated tomatoes are behind a wave of stomach-churning illness sweeping the UK. The nasty bug, which infects the gut of farm animals, can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and fever — and while most people recover within days, in some cases it can prove deadly. According to 2024 data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), 81 cases of the rare S. Blockley strain were confirmed by lab tests — all linked to tomatoes. Three dead and two hospitalised after food poisoning outbreak linked to desserts in NHS hospitals At least 14 people were hospitalised. The fruit was also blamed for a separate outbreak of Salmonella Strathcona, affecting another 24 people. Officials say it's still unclear where the tomatoes came from — whether they were UK-grown or imported. Experts say the soft, porous texture of tomatoes makes them more vulnerable to salmonella — especially as they're often eaten raw, meaning bugs aren't killed off by cooking. Symptoms of Salmonella Blockley to look out for SYMPTOMS of Salmonella Blockley, a specific type of Salmonella infection, are similar to general Salmonella infection. Common symptoms include: Diarrhoea - This is often the most prominent symptom. Stomach cramps or abdominal pain -This can range from mild discomfort to severe pain. Fever - A temperature elevation is a common symptom. Nausea and vomiting - Some individuals experience nausea and may also vomit. Chills -This can be associated with fever. Headache - Some individuals may experience headaches. Blood in the stool - In some cases, blood can be present in the stool. Salmonella symptoms typically last for four to seven days, and most people recover without needing specific treatment. You should see a doctor for salmonella symptoms if your symptoms are severe, prolonged, or you are at increased risk of complications. This includes infants, young children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms Symptoms usually appear 12 to 72 hours after infection, and those most at risk include the elderly, young children and anyone with a weakened immune system. Health officials are urging Brits to be on high alert for the symptoms of salmonella infection, which can last anywhere from four to seven days. The most common signs include diarrhoea — which may be watery and occasionally contain blood or mucus — stomach cramps, fever, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and chills. These symptoms can vary in intensity, but even mild cases can leave people feeling drained. In more serious instances, the illness can lead to severe dehydration, particularly in infants, older adults, or those with weakened immune systems. Some sufferers may go on to develop reactive arthritis, a painful condition that causes swelling and stiffness in the joints, or even enteric fever — a rare but dangerous form of the illness that brings on high fever, exhaustion and severe sickness requiring urgent antibiotic treatment. While most people recover without medical intervention, doctors advise seeking help if symptoms are severe or don't improve after a few days, if there's blood in the stool, or if signs of dehydration — such as dizziness or reduced urination — are present. Anyone preparing fresh produce like tomatoes is reminded to wash them thoroughly, store them properly, and follow general food hygiene guidance to reduce the risk of infection. Treatment There is no specific treatment for most cases of salmonella infection, as it usually clears up on its own within a week. The primary focus is on staying hydrated, especially if diarrhoea and vomiting are severe, to prevent dehydration. Drinking plenty of fluids such as water, oral rehydration solutions, or clear broths is essential. In some cases, doctors may recommend over-the-counter medications to relieve symptoms like fever and cramps, but antibiotics are generally not prescribed unless the infection is severe, spreads beyond the intestines, or affects high-risk groups such as infants, the elderly, or those with weakened immune systems. If complications like enteric fever or reactive arthritis develop, more intensive medical treatment, including antibiotics or specialist care, may be required. Anyone experiencing serious symptoms or prolonged illness should seek medical advice promptly to ensure proper care and avoid complications. Prevention Preventing salmonella largely comes down to good hygiene and safe food practices. Experts say there are several simple steps that can dramatically reduce your risk of infection. Always thoroughly cook meat, poultry, and seafood to the correct internal temperature, and avoid cross-contamination by using separate chopping boards and utensils for raw and cooked foods. Handwashing is crucial — especially after using the toilet, changing nappies, handling raw produce or meat, and before preparing or eating food. When travelling, stick to bottled or properly treated water, particularly in countries where sanitation may be poor. Avoid ice cubes or uncooked foods that may have been rinsed in contaminated water. While there's no vaccine for general salmonella, typhoid fever — a severe form of salmonella — can be prevented through vaccination, which is recommended for travellers heading to high-risk areas. Taking these precautions can help you avoid getting seriously ill — and stop the spread of infection to others. 2 Do I have food poisoning? Food poisoning is rarely serious and usually gets better within a week. It's hard to miss the symptoms, which include: Feeling sick (nausea) Diarrhoea Being sick (vomiting) Stomach cramps A high temperature of 38C or above Feeling generally unwell – such as feeling tired or having aches and chills The symptoms usually start within a few days of eating the food that caused the infection. Sometimes they start after a few hours or not for a few weeks How to treat food poisoning You can usually treat yourself or your child at home. The symptoms usually pass within a week. The most important thing is to have lots of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. You should also see a doctor if along with other symptoms you have high fever, blood in your stool, or feel dehydrated or unable to keep any food or liquid down. Make sure you stay off school or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days. Source: NHS
Telegraph
41 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Best boxing betting sites: Usyk vs Dubois 2 free bets
Check out the latest betting offers ahead of the highly anticipated rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois on Saturday at Wembley Stadium. Usyk vs Dubois 2 betting odds Oleksandr Usyk will face Daniel Dubois for the second time at Wembley Stadium on July 19. The Ukrainian is the WBA, WBC and WBO belt-holder, while the Briton brings the IBF strap to the table, as the two fighters compete to become the undisputed world heavyweight champion. Here are the current odds from Paddy Power: Usyk @ 1/4 Draw @ 16/1 Dubois @ 3/1 The Ukrainian won the first fight between them in 2023, but that victory did not come without controversy. Usyk was dropped to the canvas by a body shot by Dubois in the fifth round. The punch was determined to be a low blow by the referee and the reigning heavyweight champion was accordingly given five minutes to recover. After three minutes and 45 seconds' rest, the Ukrainian resumed the contest and won by stoppage in round nine. Dubois supporters claimed that the fifth-round punch was legitimate and that he would have stopped Usyk had the Ukrainian not been given extra time to recover. The controversy surrounding that first fight has added to the excitement for the rematch. Additionally, Dubois has improved and picked up a version of the heavyweight crown with his victory over Anthony Joshua last year. Read on to discover the best boxing betting sites with which to bet on this title match. Top 10 best boxing betting sites ranked We have rated the top boxing betting sites, so you know which bookies to sign up with come fight night. 1. Paddy Power Paddy Power sits top of our rankings of boxing betting sites. We found that it covered the sport in great depth, with undercard and small card fights available to bet on and lots of markets, especially for big main events that capture the public imagination. For such fights, expect a range of #WhatOddsPaddy specials, with money back as a free bet if your wager loses. It also features price boosts, boxing bet builders and helpful betting tips on forthcoming fights. We think that its all-round package makes Paddy Power the pick of the boxing betting sites. Boxing betting site Trustpilot rating: 3.5 Our rating: 5/5 Author's view 'The Irish love their boxing and this comes across in Paddy Power's coverage of the sport. It is my go-to bookie for betting on fights big or small.' 2. bet365 bet365 is a top choice for betting on any sport and boxing is no exception. Like Paddy Power, it also features a bet builder function, which not every bookie has for boxing. This brand is famous for its Bet Boost feature – and for really big fights, you can expect to see a Super Boost available. We found that bet365 covers many fights in plenty of detail, though its menu system does not make it especially easy to find them. There is no such problem in its superb boxing content section, which includes interviews, insights and exclusive tips from industry bible Boxing News magazine. Boxing betting site Trustpilot rating: 1.3 Our rating: 5/5 Author's view 'bet365 has really invested in its boxing coverage with its partnership with Boxing News. This great content is matched by the top-class betting experience.' 3. William Hill One of the most well-known names in the UK betting industry is William Hill. This long-serving brand is a great choice for betting on boxing. Fights are covered with a deep range of markets based on stats such as knockdowns and punches, and consistently strong prices are available. William Hill has a number of #YourOdds specials available for major fights, which include previous winning bets in the case of rematches. Its content website also provides tips and insight for forthcoming fight nights. Boxing betting site Trustpilot rating: 1.3 Our rating: 5/5 Author's view 'William Hill is the grandaddy of the UK betting scene, but has moved with the times and continues to provide a fine service. The sheer size of this brand means that you can expect fights to be covered in-depth, with industry-beating prices available.' 4. BoyleSports BoyleSports has one of the best boxing promotions available. If you place a bet on a fighter to win in selected contests and they score a knockdown, you will get paid out early, regardless of whether they go on to victory or not. With Invent A Bet, BoyleSports also has a bet builder function available for boxing. There is good market depth, but it does not cover as many fights as some of its rivals. BoyleSports has tips and previews available on its blog, with free bet competitions for major fights. Boxing betting site Trustpilot rating: 2.7 Our rating: 4/5 Author's view 'Of the up-and-coming contenders, BoyleSports is leading the way and could be soon challenging the champions of this division. Its early payout feature on knockdowns is a major incentive to bet with this operator on boxing.' 5. Betfair Betfair gives you two products in one convenient package. You can bet on boxing using its regular sportsbook, or use its exchange, which can often provide bigger prices and also allows you to place lay bets. Its sportsbook has a bet builder facility for boxing and plenty of specials and enhanced prices for big fights. Betfair also provides tips for boxing matches, making it a fine choice for fight fans. Boxing betting site Trustpilot rating: 3.2 Our rating: 4/5 Author's view 'Whether it's boxing or any other sport, the ability to place lay bets on the betting exchange makes Betfair a must-have account for punters.' 6. Betfred As an official partner of Matchroom and Boxxer, 'The Bonus King' has invested in the sport and it tells via the coverage on its Betfred Insights site. You will find tips, behind-the-scenes access and the thoughts of top pro boxers. When it comes to betting on boxing, the #PickYourPunt specials and Price Boosts make Betfred a solid choice. The only downside is that there are not quite as many fights covered as with some other UK boxing betting sites. Boxing betting site Trustpilot rating: 3.1 Our rating: 4/5 Author's view 'It's a shame that Betfred does not cover as many fights as some other bookies, but this is an issue that is only likely to trouble the biggest of boxing fans. For most punters, Betfred is a really good choice and it has some great exclusive boxing content available.' 7. Unibet Unibet is a Swedish betting brand that has made major inroads into the UK markets in recent years. Its boxing coverage is strong, with plenty of fights and markets available to bet on, and special multiple bets ready-made. We were impressed to see a number of prices available for unconfirmed fights, featuring fantasy bouts between many of the world's top boxers. Unibet also has boxing tips from the Fight Disciples podcast host Nick Peet. Boxing betting site Trustpilot rating: 1.3 Our rating: 4/5 Author's view 'Unibet's range of odds for unconfirmed fights is a genuinely unique feature. Many bookies will provide odds for two or three expected matches that have yet to be officially confirmed, but Unibet has a huge range of prices for interesting potential fights.' 8. talkSPORT BET Of the new boxing betting sites, talkSPORT BET is the best around. If you do not have an account with this operator, it can have some very generous sign-up offers available for big fights, where the odds of a boxer to win are massively boosted for new customers. You can also expect odds boosts for big boxing matches. There is a wide range of fights to bet on, but the range of markets is a little lacking when compared with the top boxing betting sites that UK fans can choose from. Boxing betting site Trustpilot rating: 3.8 Our rating: 4/5 Author's view 'talkSPORT BET is a great choice when a big fight comes around, as it has special welcome offers with hugely enhanced odds. This new brand is one to watch.' 9. BetMGM BetMGM is another fresh face among the array of online boxing betting sites. Unlike many new bookies, its website is a joy to use, with a crisp and clear design that makes it easy to look through the various boxing matches covered and pick out your bet. There are pre-made fight parlays and enhanced odds offers available for major boxing events. BetMGM does not cover as many fights as some of its most established competitors and lack the amount of markets, but it remains a decent choice. Boxing betting site Trustpilot rating: 1.2 Our rating: 3/5 Author's view 'BetMGM has made a promising start and is already a solid choice for betting on a big boxing match. I'd expect the extent of its boxing coverage to increase as the brand grows.' 10. Midnite We complete our rankings of the best online boxing betting sites with Midnite. For an up-and-coming betting site, it provides an impressive range of fights to bet on. The prices are solid enough and there is decent market coverage on the whole, though it should be noted that betting on the draw is not available for every fight. Top boxing matches feature odds boosts. Boxing betting site Trustpilot rating: 3.2 Our rating: 3/5 Author's view 'This is another of the newer boxing betting sites that looks to have a promising future. It can't quite compete with the big boys as yet, but this ambitious brand could well be a top contender in years to come.' The best boxing betting sites compared Take a look at our table below to see how the best betting sites for boxing compare with another. How to register with boxing betting sites By now you could be eager to sign up with one of our recommended boxing betting sites. Whichever one you choose, you'll find that the experience is pretty similar. Here are the steps that you need to take in order to register. Choose from one of our top boxing betting sites and visit its website. There will be a button marked 'Register', 'Sign Up' or something similar. Click on it. A registration form will pop up, where you add your personal details and create a login. Once your account is set up, add a payment method and make a deposit. With funds in your account you are ready to place a boxing bet. Take a look at the boxing section, choose a fight and pick out your bet. Why bet on boxing? Boxing is an exciting sport where the action can stop at any moment, with just one devastating punch. This makes it a particularly interesting sport to bet on, with the fighter you've backed always in with a chance until the final bell, regardless of how many rounds they may have lost. Boxing has an irregular schedule and a confusing myriad of championship belts – but when a fight captures the public imagination, few other sporting events can compete with the interest it generates. Traditionally the big fights were held in Vegas casinos, but in recent years they are just as likely to be hosted in UK football stadiums or in Saudi Arabia. Boxing betting sites tend to cover such fight nights in great detail and provide lucrative offers for punters. Top-rated boxing betting sites by Trustpilot reviews A good way to compare UK boxing betting sites is by looking at their Trustpilot reviews. Trustpilot provides a useful insight into customer satisfaction. Of our top 10 best boxing betting sites, here are the five that have the highest Trustpilot ratings. A couple of newer bookmakers have fared well, but note that it is an impressive feat for more established bookies with thousands of reviews to have a high rating. Betting site Trustpilot reviews Trustpilot score talkSPORT BET 585 3.8 Paddy Power 5,409 3.5 Betfair 3,433 3.2 Midnite 1,277 3.2 Betfred 9,249 3.1 Reviews taken July 14, 2025 Factors we consider when ranking the best boxing betting sites There are a number of factors that we consider when ranking the top boxing betting sites. Here are some of the most important ones. Welcome bonus A generous welcome offer adds to your betting bank. Some bookies will have special welcome deals available before a big fight, where new customers can bet on a boxer to win at hugely inflated odds. Relevant promotions for boxing Just as important is a regular flow of relevant promotions. These can include odds boosts and free bets, or promos that are focused on boxing, such as BoyleSports' early payout offer. Fights covered Every bookie will be covering the big fights, but only the best boxing betting sites will also cover every fight on the undercard. Many punters like to place an accumulator bet based on every undercard fight. Range of markets We like fights to be covered with a deep range of markets. This should include being able to bet on boxing statistics, such as the number of punches thrown and landed. Relevant features An increasing number of betting sites are allowing you to place Bet Builders on boxing. Cash Out is another useful feature, as are boxing predictions from expert tipsters. Site design and ease of use A bookmaker can cover boxing in great detail, but if the site design is flawed and the customer experience is not great, then punters will soon lose patience. Payment options There should be a wide range of payment options, making it easy and fast to both deposit and withdraw funds. Customer service Hopefully your betting experience will be uncomplicated, but if there is a problem, you will want 24/7 access to a customer service team. We like to see a range of contact methods, including live chat, email and ideally, a phone number to call. Safety and security Our recommended boxing betting sites are all licensed by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission and are safe to use. They utilise the latest security technology to keep your information and money safe. Best boxing betting sites FAQs Can you bet on boxing? Boxing is a very popular sport to bet on. Unlike most sports it does not have a regular timetable, but big world title fights often capture the imagination of the public and punters will want to bet on them, with bookies being eager to oblige. Which of your recommended boxing betting sites is the best? We evaluated all the best betting sites for boxing and decided that Paddy Power was our No 1 choice. It covers a wide range of fights with a huge number of markets, and provides odds boosts, money-back deals and betting tips. Can you trust boxing betting sites in the UK? All our recommended British boxing betting sites are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, which ensures that bookmakers act lawfully and comply with rules in the best interests of punters. How many boxing betting sites can I sign up with? There is no limit to the number of boxing betting sites you can sign up with. We would recommend signing up with a few, so you can ensure that you get the best prices. What boxing betting sites have the best offers for customers? Our recommended online boxing betting sites all have great welcome deals, which will give a boost to your bankroll when betting on boxing. In addition, the likes of Paddy Power and BoyleSports offer regular promos for boxing such as money-back deals and early payouts for knockdowns.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Ashley James issues botox warning after injection left her unable to smile
Ashley James has issued a botox warning after a botched injection left her unable to smile. Appearing on This Morning on Tuesday (15 July), the presenter revealed that she receives masseter botox to help stop her from grinding her jaw. However, she shared with hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard that one injection two months ago left her "unable to smile and completely paralysed'. James shared that the effects have only just worn off and she now has full motion in her face back, however, said that the experience left her feeling 'ashamed and embarrassed'. The NHS advises speaking to an expert before having cosmetic procedures, doing comprehensive research, and choosing a reputable, safe and qualified practitioner.
