Latest news with #ChantelleThompson
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Joe Thompson's funeral hears he was 'beacon of hope'
Former footballer Joe Thompson has been described as a "beacon of hope" at his funeral, where hundreds of people gathered to pay their who died last month aged 36, twice recovered from cancer during his playing career, which included more than 150 appearances for Rochdale service at St Marks Church in Worsley, Greater Manchester was packed earlier as mourners, including family, fans and former players gathered in the sunshine to celebrate his Thompson read a message to the congregation from his late brother Joe, who said he was "a lover of life, not a victim". His family had invited everyone to attend the funeral, where screens had been erected to broadcast the service outside for those who could not get into the Aston Villa and Man United striker Dion Dublin and Rochdale co-chairman Simon Gauge were among those to Sam Chanda told the congregation "Joe was known for his incredible kindness... not only by his loved ones but [also by] strangers"."He was more than just an amazing footballer. He was a beacon of hope who always put those around him first." he Thompson's widow Chantelle said her late husband was her "soulmate... my rock... and my everything". "He was unbelievable with what he went through," former Manchester United academy product Danny Webber said of Joe Thompson."I was better for knowing him."Former Manchester City defender Keith Curle, who managed Joe at Carlisle United, said he was a "wonderful human being".White doves were released at the end of the service as Gabrielle's Dreams was 12-year-old daughter Thailula said her late father had been "such a great role model for me""What a life we have had together," she said. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Daily Mail
25-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE My family trip was cancelled by Balkan Holidays collapse - now rebooking is going to cost me hundreds more
Having saved up all year, Chantelle Thompson had been looking forward to a big family holiday to Sunny Beach, Bulgaria, due to fly on May 25, 2025. But the 40-year-old sales assistant, husband Alan, 48, and 12-year-old son Matthew were left distraught last night whenBalkan Holidays - the travel company they'd booked through - suddenly announced it was to cease trading with immediate effect. 'I'm pretty angry,' Chantelle, from Teeside, tells us. 'We only found when Balkan put a statement on Facebook. We've not heard anything from them. 'The holiday cost £1,700, and we'd been saving up nearly a year for it. 'We don't know when our refund is going to come, and if we want to book another holiday, sorry, we don't have any money under the mattress. 'By the time we get our refund, they'll probably have put the prices up on flights too!' Balkan, which offered holidaymakers trips to Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Malta and Northern Cyprus, said it would aim to process refunds as fast as possible, working in order of departure date. Direct customers have been asked to contact the company directly to arrange refunds, but expectant travellers who booked trips via a third party have been told they will need to speak to their travel agent to get their money back. Having booked through a travel agent, Chantelle contacted them first thing this morning - with Balkan having released the statement after her travel agent closed. 'They're as much in the dark as we are,' she says. 'They said, "We're shocked how this has happened. We weren't expecting it." 'They're waiting for updates from head office.' Chantelle and her family were due to be flying from Teesside International Airport - just a 30-minute drive from where they live. She says: 'It was perfect because my husband works behind the airport as a warehouse operative, so we could leave the car at the airport, which would've saved us money on parking.' But alternative flights to and from Bulgaria on the same dates in May are very limited from there. She continues: 'Unfortunately we're going to have to fly from a different airport if I want the same dates. I've checked online myself. 'We're going to have to go up to Newcastle, which I know is only an hour away, or go a couple of hours to Manchester or Leeds-Bradford. 'My son's also going to have to miss one or two days of school with other flights, as they come back late, nearly midnight, so I can't get back and expect my son to get up and ready for school with only a few hours' sleep. 'The next flights are on Monday, and he'll get back on the Monday afternoon, so he's going to miss school either way. 'He's got 100% attendance and he really doesn't want to miss school. 'We're all gutted, to be honest.' Balkan Holidays was launched nearly six decades ago, and specialised in trips to Bulgaria. It offered departures from 17 British airports, more than any other UK tour operator. At its peak, it served 130,000 people a year. But its numbers have dwindled in recent years, with it being licensed to carry just 27,817 Atol-protected passengers in the year to the end of March 2026. It said in a statement on its social media pages and website: 'We regret to inform you that Balkan Holidays Ltd has, as of 24th of April 2025, closed for business in the UK. 'The company has not gone into liquidation, however all forward holiday bookings have been cancelled. 'All clients will be notified and refunded in full. 'May we kindly ask for patience as we process the refunds and appreciate your understanding. 'Thank you for your past business and please accept our most sincere apologies for the disappointment and inconvenience.'
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Free test prep courses now available for U of I students
CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Students at the University of Illinois now have access to free, comprehensive test prep courses, meant to help them prepare for graduate admissions and licensing exams. Beginning on Sunday, campus enrollment began under the Prepare for Illinois' Future Program, an initiative which makes more than 40 test prep courses available for free. Some of the test prep includes the GRE, LSAT, MCAT, and NCLEX as well as professional skills and licensure courses in data analytics, project management, real estate and more. PREVIOUSLY: New program saves Illinois public college students thousands of dollars In February, Illinois became the first state to provide this free service to public university students (as well as five community colleges). So far, the U of I said the program has saved students more than $1 million that they would have otherwise spent on test prep. 'By providing free access to Kaplan's test preparation resources, U of I will better prepare its students to excel in graduate admissions and professional licensing exams, further enhancing the university's tradition of academic and professional success,' said Chantelle Thompson, assistant vice chancellor for strategic operations in student affairs at U of I. 'This program gives students a head start on their careers, whether they're pursuing advanced degrees or want to hit the ground running in their first post-collegiate roles.' Three Illini earn All-Big Ten men's basketball honors This program was created through a partnership between Illinois, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) and Kaplan, an education company. The organizations hope it'll boost in-state enrollment at public universities, create career pathways for students from underserved communities and address Illinois' shortages of doctors. To access the free test preparation course, visit U of I's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
