News from former pupils
Emma Widdowson
Emma Widdowson, who left the school in 2006, was greeted by rapturous applause as she completed seven marathons in seven days in aid of The Christie, in support of a friend who is being treated at the specialist cancer centre.
The mother-of-two is a nurse on the Oncology Assessment Unit which has been her source of inspiration for the challenge.
The 29 year-old, who wore different colours to highlight the different forms of cancer on each day, started from Notting Hill and ran through St Albans, Rugby and Macclesfield, before finishing at The Withington Centre on September 23.
Friend and patient Mark Bryant joined Emma in the last 5k of her mammoth 182-mile challenge, along with her daughters Isabella, seven, and Amelie, four, who ran the last few metres with her.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, the former pupil, said: “I was so inspired talking to my friend Mark Byrant, hearing about the challenges he has faced as an inpatient on the haematology ward.
“He has faced many hurdles and fought this battle so bravely, as have many of my amazing patients who I have grown so fond of.”
“My legs are seizing up a little bit now, I do need to get some stretches in. But every time I’ve had a horrible or negative thought or if I’ve been sore I use this windscreen wipe thing and wipe the thoughts and feelings away and replace them with positive ones and that’s what’s got me through this as well as the inspiration of all my patients.
“I’ve always loved running but I’ve never done back to back marathons. I wanted a huge challenge to try and match the challenge that my patients go through each day – but this is still nothing in comparison.”
Catfish & the Bottlemen drummer Rob Hall
Rob Hall, who left us in 2011, is now a drummer with Catfish and the Bottlemen, who have had one of their songs selected for the soundtrack of the highly anticipated Fifa ’17 console game.
The Llandudno four-piece, led by lead singer Van McCann, will join the likes of Kasabian, Two Door Cinema Club and Jack Garratt on the soundtrack with their track Postponed – which is a hit from their number one album The Ride.
This latest recognition caps off a memorable summer for the band, who have thrilled crowds at a series of festivals including the world famous Glastonbury.
They have also played a special open air gig at Times Square in Newcastle, in addition to playing to an 8,000 strong crowd at Castlefield Bowl.
The Brit Award winners will begin a sold out UK Tour this autumn, and they will also be playing to crowds across the point in the United States.
In a recent article by the NME, having your music chosen for the FIFA soundtrack is now regarded as one of the most important platforms for British music at the present time.
It stated: “Last year, for example, FIFA 16 shifted over 2.5 million copies in the UK alone.
“In perspective that puts it just a few hundred thousand behind last year’s best-selling record, Adele’s ‘25’.
“Admittedly, most people don’t buy it for the soundtrack - but it's become an integral part of the gaming experience.”
Heidi Nash-Smith
Heidi Nash-Smith, who attended Penrhos College from 1992-99, tested her limits in three difficult challenges to raise funds for So We Can, who work with communities and their governments in Kenya and Tanzania to educate and empower, so they can break the poverty cycle, realise their own potential and meet their own needs.
She began by running the Maasai Mara Half Marathon on August 20, before embarking on a five-day trek up Mount Kenya, which is Africa’s second highest peak at 5,199 metres.
The final event saw Heidi take part in the Coastal Classic in Australia, where she now resides, which was held along Sydney’s south coast from Otford to Bundeena, a distance of 29km, on September 3.
The former pupil, who set a target of $5,000, said: “Climbing Mount Kenya was a great experience. It wasn’t easy, but then we don’t do things because they are easy.
“We look for challenges in life, things that will stretch us and build our resilience. Each time I undertake a venture like this, I come away with the confidence that I can do anything if I set my mind to it.
“The world is full of opportunity and I intend to make the most of it.”
This is the latest in a long line of charity exertions for the former Law student at Oxford University, which saw her complete the New York Marathon in 2013 and raised almost £7,000 for The Heart Foundation.
You can find out more about Heidi’s journey by reading her blog at https://marathonefforts.com/2016/08/29/climbing-mount-kenya/
Will Broadway with his ISOBAR invention
Will Broadway, who left in 2010, has invented the “Isobar”, a mobile fridge designed to keep vaccines at the ideal temperature while in transit in developing countries, could save 1.5 million people, according to findings.
Despite this extraordinary achievement, the 22-year-old stated he won’t be trying to get a patent and plans to make no money from the equipment.
Speaking to BBC Newsbeat, the Loughborough University graduate, said: "I wanted to make something for people who have next to nothing. It should be a basic human right, in my opinion, to have a vaccination.
"Medical products have such a big mark up that it's unreasonable for people around the world to purchase these items.
"If it is the best thing available, then it should be out there saving lives."
The creation has won him the annual James Dyson Award, which is open to students across the world who “design something that solves a problem”.
The device maintains a steady two to eight degrees for 30 days. It works by heating ammonia and water to create ammonia vapours, which are then released into its main chamber when cooling is needed.