Over 1,000 people took to the redways of Milton Keynes as part of Willen Hospice’s annual Midnight Moo event, sponsored by Specsavers MK.
The Midnight Moo’ers, adorned in cow-print, cow-boy hats and flashing accessories, took part in the event as they completed their 5 or 10 mile sponsored walks on Friday (12/07).
The event began and finished at Midsummer Place Shopping Centre, with walkers setting off at 10pm.
Radio station MKFM were broadcasting live with DJ Simon Tuck and presenters Wes and Ros, local musician, Dunc from The Zeroes performed The Midnight Moo song, written especially for the event, and The Good Gym MK led the herd in a group warm up and hosted the half-way point and 5-mile finish.
As 10pm struck, the honour of cutting the ribbon to mark the start of the walk, was given to 11-year old Joshua. Joshua has been camping for care in his garden for over a year to raise money for the Hospice, and his sister, Hannah and Mum, Emily walked the Midnight Moo in memory of his grandparents who were both cared for by Willen Hospice.
The Midnight Moo is the charity’s flagship event, and this year it raised an incredible £135,000 and counting for the Hospice. This is the biggest amount raised in the last six years!
Only 15% of the charity’s running costs are met by ongoing funding from the NHS, meaning they rely on fundraising events like this to continue providing specialist palliative care and support for Milton Keynes families, both at the Hospice and in the community.
Amy Malburn, Willen Hospice Matron, who was one of the lead walkers on the night said, “The Midnight Moo this year was just phenomenal. It was great seeing so many people dressed up, all willing to walk into the early hours of the morning for their local Hospice.
“Our Willen at Home service, which cares for patients in their own homes, wherever that may be, is entirely funded by donations. Events like the Midnight Moo really show the profound impact our specialist care has on local families, and how important it is that we are here today, tomorrow and for future generations.
“Thank you to everyone who took part, and to all the amazing volunteers who marshalled along the route. Thank you to Specsavers MK for sponsoring the event, making it possible to run, and Midsummer Place and The Good Gym MK for hosting us.”
The Midnight Moo 2025 will be back next year. People can register their interest to take part on the Willen Hospice website.
The recently opened Unity Place building has announced a partnership with National Sound to host a series of live music events, highlighting musical talent within the Milton Keynes community.
This collaboration aims to provide an opportunity for musicians to perform and entertain the community with free, accessible, and enjoyable events.
Unity Place and National Sound have previously hosted two events, bringing together local bands and artists and offering them a platform to share their music with a wider audience.
The first took place on 18th April, when Unity Place and National Sound launched their collaboration with the first “Eats & Beats” event of 2024. This featured an array of local talent and a welcoming atmosphere.
Over the course of the evening, there were live music performances, diverse food offerings from the Urban Food Market, and a variety of drinks from the space’s bar, drawing a large crowd. Performers included Manny, Beulah, and Rory O’Kane.
A second event then took place with the May “Eats & Beats” event on 23 May, where attendees enjoyed performances from Hayden Woodall, Blunden, and Joe Cullen, before a further event took place on 13 June with performers, Amy Birks, Harrison Hood and Heidi Browne.
These events have demonstrated the vibrant local music scene and Unity Place’s commitment to providing an inclusive platform for artists to connect with the community.
Additional “Eats & Beats” events are set for Thursday 25 July, Saturday 24 August, Thursday 19 September, 17 October, 21 November and 19 December. All events can be found on the Unity Place What’s On page.
Attendees can look forward to performances from local artists complimented by delicious food from the Urban Food Market and a variety of drinks available at the onsite bar.
Unity Place and National Sound’s collaboration has been instrumental in providing a stage for local talent. By offering free admission to these events, Unity Place ensures that everyone in the community can enjoy and participate in the local music scene, promoting inclusivity and community spirit.
“We are really proud to work alongside National Sound to bring these events to life,” said Tom King, Head of Events & Placemaking at Unity Place.
“Our mission is to support and uplift our local community, and what better way to do that than by celebrating the talented artists in our midst? We invite everyone to join us for an evening of music, food, and fun.”
National Sound is a leading music production and event management company, committed to promoting local artists and delivering high-quality music experiences. For more information, visit www.nationalsound.co.uk.
The Northampton-born footballer Ivan Toney featured as England suffered defeat in the Euro 2024 final.
Brentford striker Toney, 28, earned his sixth England cap as a late substitute in the final in Berlin, where he was brought on as a late replacement for Phil Foden as Gareth Southgate’s side chased an equaliser.
The appearance was Toney’s third of the Euros, having played as a substitute in the round of 16 win over Slovakia and the quarter final against Switzerland.
Toney had made a decisive contribution in his first two appearances for England in the tournament. He had registered an assist against Slovakia as he set up Harry Kane’s extra-time winner before he scored in the penalty shoot-out success over the Swiss.
But Toney couldn’t help England force extra-time, as they lost 2-1 to Spain in the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
Defeat was England’s second in as many European Championships, with the Three Lions having lost the final of the last tournament to Italy on penalties in 2021, while Spain picked up their fourth Euros title, and third in the last five editions.
Toney had scored his first England goal earlier this year, scoring a penalty in a draw with Belgium in a friendly in March. The game was his first after returning from an 8 month ban after being found guilty of gambling offences.
Toney began his career with hometown club Northampton Town, making his professional debut for the Cobblers at age 16.
He would score 13 goals in 60 appearances in all competitions before joining Newcastle in 2015, but after being sold by the Magpies in 2018, he spent two years with Peterborough before joining Brentford in 2020.
He has scored over 70 goals in 4 years with Brentford, helping the Bees win promotion to the Premier League in 2021 and scoring 20 Premier League goals in the 2022/23 season as the West London club finished in the top half of the top flight.
The striker has been linked with a big money move this summer, with multiple clubs including Manchester United, Arsenal and Spurs among those said to be interested in signing Toney ahead of the upcoming season.
Former MK Dons loanee Troy Parrott has left Spurs after signing a deal to join Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.
The 22-year-old Irish international has joined the Dutch side for an undisclosed fee reported by the BBC to be worth around 8 million Euros, and has signed a 5-year contract.
The result will see Parrott remain based in the Netherlands, with the Irishman having spent last season on loan with Excelsior Rotterdam.
A transfer will see Parrott leaves Spurs on a permanent basis, departing a club he first joined as a teenager in 2017.
Parrott previously spent the 2021/22 season on loan with MK Dons, playing regular football for a side that finished third in that season’s League One.
He scored 10 goals in 47 appearances in all competitions, including a late equaliser against AFC Wimbledon and a goal on his final appearance for MK Dons in the play-offs against Wycombe Wanderers.
Since leaving the Dons, Parrott spent time on loan with Preston and then with Excelsior. For the latter, he scored 17 goals in 32 appearances in all competitions last season.
He was unable to help keep the Rotterdam-based side in the top flight as they lost a relegation play-off to NAC Breda, despite Parrott scoring in a 6-2 first leg defeat and then a hat-trick in a 4-1 second leg win as the Roodzwarten mounted an unsuccessful comeback.
In his time, he has also earned 23 caps for the Irish national side, scoring 5 goals.
Parrott is one of multiple former MK Dons players on the move or speculated to be on the move this summer. Rumours have linked the likes of Scott Twine, Matt O’Riley and Brandon Thomas-Asante with moves, while Oxford have signed ex-Dons duo Jamie Cumming and Peter Kioso as they prepare for the Championship.
Gabriel Osho has left Luton Town to sign for French side Auxerre.
Osho leaves Luton after four seasons with the club, including making 21 appearances in the Premier League last season and 35 in all competitions when Luton were promoted from the Championship in the preceding season.
The defender has signed for Auxerre, where he has signed a contract of undisclosed length with the side from Burgundy.
His new employers will be competing in the French top flight Ligue 1 in the upcoming season, having won promotion as champions of the French second division last season.
His arrival comes after the confirmed departures of Ross Barkley and Ryan Giles. Barkley has signed for his former club Aston Villa for a second time, while Giles has joined Hull City after previously joining the Tigers on loan for the second half of last season.
Manager Rob Edwards told the club’s official website of his respect for Osho and wished him well.
He said, “I’d like to thank Gabe for what he did for this football club and wish him nothing but success. Like many of the players who have led this club to success in recent years, he will always be welcomed back.”
