‘Run for Redfern’: more than 60 joggers join Leicester fundraising challenge in memory of much-loved former DMU student

By Alfie Linville-Sibley

The second annual ‘Run for Redfern’ arrived at the steps of the De Montfort University student union at the weekend as scores of joggers honoured the memory of much-loved DMU alumnus Adam Redfern.

The air was filled with cheers and applause on Sunday as students, staff, and Adam’s friends crossed the finish line, blazing red in their ‘Run for Redfern’ tees, after the completing the 5km course across Leicester from Victoria Park to the heart of the DMU campus. 

More than 60 runners took part in the run, raising up to £1,500 for the Adam Redfern Memorial Fund, which provides a student scholarship and aims to make DMU a ‘heart safe campus’. Adam died of a sudden heart attack while out jogging in March 2021. He was just 28.

After starting at 11am, all the runners were over the line by noon. Following the race, Adam’s parents, Christine and Ian Redfern, gave a short speech to the runners in the DSU in front of a banner bearing a picture of their son.

“We wanted to give everybody a chance to run and remember Adam this year, and seeing this growth in just one year is amazing,” Ian said.

The first ‘Run for Redfern was held in 2022, with eight of Adam’s friends running on a sponsorship basis. Between them, they raised £3,000 for the memorial fund.

Elgan Hughes, one of those original eight, said: “Seeing so many students sat in the Union on a cold Sunday morning like this is amazing. After last year we realised Adam deserved something bigger to remember him, so we decided to open it up to everyone this year.”

“Hopefully next year everyone that’s here today will bring a friend along, and then the same will happen the year after, that’s the ultimate goal,” Elgan said.

“It was a big job to organise this, between the council and the staff at the Union and De Montfort everybody involved was fantastic. Hopefully, we’ll see you all again next March for an even bigger Run for Redfern,” Ian Redfern said.

Adam Redfern

The memorial fund keeps Adam’s memory alive by creating opportunities for students with a flair for journalism, media or sport through a scholarship, allowing third-year students the chance to pursue their passions.

Adam, who has been described as “the best of DMU in one person”, was a Journalism (BA) graduate who went on to work as part of the Student Union and later joined DMU’s social media team.

Christine Redfern said: “The first scholarship has gone out this year to a film student, and seeing what she’s doing with the opportunity is amazing.”

The memorial foundation is also aiming to fund the installation and related training for on-campus defibrillators to make DMU ‘heart safe’ and raise awareness for SADS (sudden arrhythmic death syndrome), when someone dies following an unexplained cardiac arrest.

Runner Richard Bowden, a former colleague of Adam’s, said: “Adam was always looking for opportunities to support students. He made lots of DSU roles paid so students would be more rewarded and the DSU would be better staffed.”

Click here to make a donation to the Adam Redfern Memorial Fund.

‘This has broken all our hearts’: candlelit vigil for Brianna Ghey held in Leicester

By Shaikha Rahimi

A candlelit vigil was held in the city centre to remember transgender teenager Brianna Ghey, who was stabbed to death in Cheshire earlier this month

Brianna’s vigil in Leicester.

Mourners gathered at the Clock Tower in Leicester on Saturday to pay tribute to murdered 16-year-old Brianna Ghey.

Vigils have been held across the UK in memory of Brianna, a transgender girl from Birchwood in Warrington, who was found with fatal stab wounds on a path in Linear Park, in Culcheth, Cheshire on Saturday, February 11.

The organiser of the Leicester vigil, Abi – who did not want to share her full name – told Leicestershire Press: “The vigil gave people from Leicester’s trans community the opportunity to pay tribute to Brianna and grieve together.

“The death of Brianna has broken all our hearts, especially of those who are the same age as her. The healing starts now. We won’t forget her and we won’t let hate towards us win.”

Local community comes together to honour and remember Brianna.

Bouquets of flowers were left by the Clock Tower. Many of the well-wishers held signs with messages to Brianna. One read: “Rest in pride.” Another said: “Trans rights are human rights.”

Among those who were present was Zak Fiken, a 21-year-old student at DMU. He told Leicestershire Press: “What we saw happen to Brianna was abhorrent and beyond comprehension. Above all else, she was a girl with her whole life ahead of her, which has now been taken.

“The trans community are some of the most marginalised in our society, and transphobia is becoming increasingly mainstream, Even at the vigil we heard transphobic abuse being shouted at us. Every line used against the trans community today was used against the gay community in the 80s.

“We will continue to fight for trans rights, and let Brianna be the last person to be killed.”

Dozens lit candles to remember the 16-year-old.

A boy and a girl, both aged 15, have been charged with Brianna’s murder. They appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, February 15, where a trial date was fixed for Monday, July 10.

Following her tragic death, Brianna’s family paid an emotional tribute to her, describing Brianna as “strong and fearless.”

They said that a “massive hole” had been left in their family after her death. The full statement issued through Cheshire police said: “Brianna was a much loved daughter, granddaughter, and baby sister.”

DMU students delighted to be on stage for Graduations

By Caitlin Kirkley, Esha Sancee and Charlie Dowey

Last week De Montfort University (DMU) students across a range of faculties returned to Leicester’s Curve Theatre for their graduation ceremonies.

Family and friends filled the theatre, all desperately waiting to see loved ones cross the stage and celebrate their achievements.

photography of people graduating
Photo by Emily Ranquist on Pexels.com

The university also ensured that those who could not attend in-person still felt part of the day thanks to the livestreams posted to the university’s YouTube channel.

Importantly, the Covid pandemic resulted in big changes for graduation ceremonies at that time, because of social distancing measures leading to some understandable disappointment, but this year things were different.

Manali Jain

Student Manali Jain, who was awarded her Master of Science in Strategic & Digital Marketing, said she was “over the moon” with the experience she had at her recent graduation ceremony.

She noted that the ceremony ran smoothly from start to finish and there was plenty of assistance from staff ‘at every step.’

On the day, she received a free DMU badge as well as a bag and described the event as ‘the biggest day of her life.’

Her family were able to view everything directly from the YouTube livestream. The use of the livestream extended the reach of the ceremony allowing people to view the event from around the world.

Additionally, all livestreams can be watched back endlessly by the graduates themselves for those looking to relive their moment of stardom.

Lecturer Brian Dodds was among those staff on the platform stage to congratulate graduating Journalism students last Thursday.

He stated that after graduations had to be postponed for some students for up to two years due to the pandemic, the recent ceremony was a “joyous moment full of pride and achievements which was wonderful to see.”

He followed this, saying that the day is full of important moments, not only the formal ceremony but it also includes spending time with loved ones and having lots of photos taken.

In summary, he described it as a heartwarming and ‘proud moment’ to finally see students that he has worked with for several years complete their studies.

Find more at: https://www.dmu.ac.uk/home.aspx

20.02.2023

VIDEO: Leicester hosts spectacular Chinese New Year celebrations and parade

By Azim Saiyed

The Chinese New Year began with crowds flocking the streets of Leicester to parade from De Montfort University to Green Dragon Square which was all organised by Cosmopolitan Arts.

Yingjun Yang, director of the DMU Confucius Institute, said: “DMU Confucius Institute is happy and proud to be able to hold events for the Chinese New Year every year with the support from colleagues, friends, partners, and communities both at DMU and in Leicester.

“The Chinese take this occasion as a good time for forgiveness, compromises, and mutual understanding. They choose to forget old grudges and grievances for a better year of mutual harmony and peace among themselves, with others and for all fellow beings.”

This year, Cosmopolitan Arts planned to set up events in Leicester, Derby and Nottingham. It also carried out thorough research into the Chinese migration to the East Midlands.

Hundreds of people enjoyed the traditional dances and the red dragon costume dance at the front of the parade.

The event, held on Sunday, January 22, was capped off by spectacular dazzling fireworks at the Green Dragon Square, which is next to the Leicester market.

For more information, visit: www.cosmopolitanarts.co.uk.

MORE RELATED STORIES: Chinese New Year celebration events planned in Leicester

Wigston residents furious with derelict pub planning application 

By Azim Saiyed

A plan to turn a disused pub in Wigston into a community hub and a place of worship has angered some residents who are objecting strongly to it over traffic concerns. 

ABANDONED: The former Nautical William pub is ready for renovation and a new take-over.

A planning application was lodged by the new owners last year for the run-down former Nautical William pub, which caused a strong disagreement in the community. 

Wigston resident Beckie Ligo, 49, said: “The traffic is going to get absolutely stupid down there. 

“We live at the bottom of the road, and it’s really bad, it’s hard enough to get in and out.” 

From the planning application proposals posted to nearby houses, the residents found out the place of worship could potentially be a mosque. 

Beckie said: “To be fair, there are far and few Muslims in this area, it would be much better if it was housing. 

“We were originally promised for housing and flats to be built by the council, but they are absolutely rubbish.” 

A representative from the community hub, who did not want to be named, said: “Let’s get the facts right, it’s not going to be a mosque, this is just misinformation that’s been going around. 

“The community hub will be open to all residents regardless of their age, religion, race, or background.” 

He said residents nearby will be able to visit, have a tea or coffee, socialise, and take part in community activities. 

“In regard to the traffic,” he added, “I can clarify that currently, there are a lot of Muslim residents who are having to drive to the nearest mosque in Oadby, and having a prayer facility nearby will allow to clear up traffic, as they can walk.” 

The representative mentioned that the community hub will provide hot meals, foodbanks and generally a relaxing place for the wider community and in that way the organisers hope to show people what true Islam is. 

Beckie said: “I’m an atheist, I don’t care about what they use it for, but I have appealed against it. 

“Do we really need all this upset?” 

The Nautical William originally started as a brewery pub in the 1950s on a piece of land bought by William Cox. 

For decades it was a regular for the locals, but those days seem to have come to an end. 

For more information about Wigston, visit: www.wigstonhistoricalsociety.co.uk