Donald Munro has been diagnosed with a rare, incurable cancer and has been placed on palliative care.

A terminally ill man is facing a race against time to fulfil his dying wish to see Bon Jovi live in concert. Donald Munro, 45, from the Highlands, has lived with the incurable muscle condition idiopathic torsion dystonia since childhood.

Despite spending most of his life in a wheelchair and facing significant physical challenges, he has refused to let his illness define him – even after being diagnosed with a small-cell carcinoma of the bladder, a rare, incurable cancer.

He has since been placed on palliative care. Donald, who now lives in Inverness, says his final wish is to see his music icons Bon Jovi, whose music has helped him through “good times and bad”. He was delighted when the rockers announced a show at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on August 28, but sadly failed to secure accessible tickets.

As time has become precious to him and his family, he is more determined than ever to make his wish come true – to attend the concert or even receive a short personal video message or video call from Jon Bon Jovi himself.

Donald told Edinburgh Live: “If I could see Bon Jovi one last time at Murrayfield, it would mean the world to me.

“If that’s not possible, a short video message or a quick video call would be something I’ll treasure forever.

“I tried to see Bon Jovi under my own steam and was disappointed to miss out.

“But I never imagined that, only a short time later, my circumstances would change so dramatically.

“I did everything I could to make seeing Bon Jovi live again happen. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be.

“The right medication and Bon Jovi’s music and has helped me build a life for myself I never imagined possible.”

Donald started experiencing muscle spasms in his arm aged eight which gradually spread to the rest of his body.

By the time he was diagnosed aged 10, his legs were too weak to support him and he used a wheelchair full time.

Music became his passion, particularly Bon Jovi. He says the band has provided the “soundtrack to his life”.

He was able to see them in concert at London’s Hyde Park in 2003, but has never had the opportunity again.

Donald said: “Bon Jovi allowed my body respond to music without me worrying about what anyone thought.

“For the first time in a long time, I felt like myself again.”

Donald’s friends have created a short documentary sharing Donald’s extraordinary story to help his wish come true.

They are inviting people to help spread the word in the hope that it reaches Jon Bon Jovi and his team.

Abi Macdonald, who has been helping coordinate the campaign, said: “Donald has faced challenges that most of us can’t begin to imagine, but anyone who meets him is struck by his warmth, humour and positivity.

“This campaign isn’t about sympathy—it’s about helping a genuinely remarkable man achieve one final dream. If enough people share his story, you never know where it might end up.”

The M29 7HN postcode that covers Avon Road in Tyldesley was one of 20 of the most recent winners announced on Friday, August 7.

Ticket holders who live in the postcode are entitled to a prize of £1,000.

They won today alongside 19 other postcodes nationwide.

The postcode around Avon Road in Tyldesley was one of the winners (Image: Google Maps)

Postcode Lottery is a subscription-based lottery which raises money for charities.

Not only do players win cash prizes, but good causes also receive essential support.

A participant’s postcode works as your ticket.

For £12.50 a month, participants are entered into every prize draw and there are guaranteed winners every day.

People play with their chosen postcode and are automatically entered into all draws.

Prizes include the weekly Millionaire Street prize and monthly £250,000 or Postcode Millions prizes.

If a postcode gets picked in the £250,000 prize, for example, every ticket in that postcode wins £250,000.

Every day, there are £1,000 prizes to be won for every ticket in 20 postcodes.

Anyone who plays with two tickets will receive double the winning prize amount.

Players have raised more than £1.8 billion for thousands of good causes in Britain and internationally, funding charities including Maggie’s, Alzheimer’s Society, Dogs Trust, Mind, NSPCC, and many others, as well as thousands of small local community projects.

While most runners are chasing after a new goal or a personal best, some are chasing after something slightly more elusive: a runner’s high.

Some describe it as euphoria. Others as calm, clarity or even a sense of being completely absorbed in the moment. Many people experience some version of it after a long run or a spin class.

For years, scientists believed the phenomenon was caused by endorphins, the body’s natural opioids. But more recent neuroscientific research now indicates that this might not wholly be the case.

Instead, a runner’s high appears to emerge from several brain systems working together. This explains why a runner’s high has so many far-reaching effects – and why these effects can often persist long after the initial experience of euphoria.

The brain’s own cannabis system

Endorphins are naturally-occurring brain chemicals which are released during periods of physical stress help to reduce pain.

Aerobic exercise increases circulating endorphins. Numerous studies have demonstrated higher levels of the endorphin beta-endorphin following prolonged aerobic exercise, such as running. This is why endorphins were long believed to be the sole cause of a runner’s high.

But there’s a key problem with the endorphin theory. This is because endorphins circulating in the blood struggle to cross the blood-brain barrier – the tightly regulated system that protects the brain from substances in the bloodstream.

So while endorphins may well contribute to pain relief elsewhere in the body, they cannot fully explain the feelings of euphoria and emotional wellbeing generated by a runner’s high within the brain itself.

So scientists began searching for another explanation.

The breakthrough came with the discovery that exercise also activates the endocannabinoid system.

Endocannabinoids are naturally produced by our bodies. They help with functions such as pleasure, memory and stress regulation.

One of the most important chemicals produced by the endocannabinoid system is anandamide, one of the brain’s natural “feel-good” chemicals. It helps to reduce anxiety, ease pain and create feelings of calm and wellbeing. And, unlike endorphins, anandamide crosses the blood-brain barrier with ease.

After a long bout of aerobic exercise, blood concentrations of anandamide rise substantially. Once inside the brain, it activates cannabinoid receptors in regions involved in emotion, motivation, reward and pain perception.

The resulting effects are remarkably similar to many features of the runner’s high – including reduced anxiety, better movement, less pain and feelings of calm.

This isn’t to suggest that endorphins play no role in a runner’s high. Modern neuroscience suggests endorphins and endocannabinoids work together – with endocannabinoids probably playing the larger role in producing the emotional aspects of the experience.

Several other neurotransmitters also play a part in a runner’s high.

Dopamine, which is central to motivation and reward, helps reinforce actions that are beneficial for survival. Rather than simply producing pleasure, dopamine encourages us to repeat a behaviour that the brain considers valuable.

Serotonin contributes to emotional stability and wellbeing, while noradrenaline enhances alertness and focus.

Exercise also stimulates the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which supports the growth of new and existing brain connections and plays a vital role in learning and memory

Although BDNF probably doesn’t produce the immediate euphoria associated with runner’s high, it may help explain why regular running can improve various aspects of wellbeing.

The benefits of a runner’s high

A runner’s high is about far more than pleasure chemicals.

Running changes how different brain networks communicate. During prolonged, rhythmic exercise (such as running), activity within the default mode network – the collection of brain regions associated with self-reflection, worry and thinking – appears to decrease.

At the same time, brain regions involved in attention, movement and sensory processing become more coordinated. This shift may help explain why running often produces feelings of mental clarity or being completely immersed in the present moment.

For many people, the mental benefits of a runner’s high even outlast the run itself.

Exercise influences stress regulation, inflammation, neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to adapt and change), sleep quality and emotional processing. This combination of benefits is something which few medical interventions achieve.

Importantly, scientists are increasingly recognising that the mental health benefits of exercise extend well beyond the runner’s high itself. Even people who never experience the euphoria of a runner’s high still show meaningful improvements in mood, cognition and resilience with regular physical activity.

But for those who still want to chase after a runner’s high, research suggests there’s a sweet spot to achieving it – and it doesn’t require long-distance, extreme endurance.

Most studies report increases in endocannabinoids after approximately 30 to 60 minutes of continuous aerobic exercise performed at moderate to vigorous intensity – so roughly 70-85% of maximum heart rate. The key is that the physiological stress is high enough to trigger these neurochemical responses without overwhelming the body.

That said, there is considerable individual variation. Although one survey found that around two-thirds of recreational runners had experienced a runner’s high at least once, it didn’t necessarily happen on every run.

Some people also appear naturally more responsive to exercise-induced endocannabinoid release. Genetics, sex, fitness level, sleep quality, psychological state and even expectations may all influence whether someone experiences runner’s high on any given day, too.

TransPennine Express (TPE) said a reduced service will run until 10am today.

A spokesperson for the train operator also said trains across the network may be delayed or cancelled at short notice until noon.

Recommended reading:

Around 2pm yesterday, electricity cut out in the main control hub for North West England’s railways – the Manchester rail operating centre – near Ashburys station in the city’s east.

National Rail said the severity of the disruption means a number of trains and crew are in the wrong locations for the start of today’s planned services.

Passengers are being advised to check their journeys before travelling.

TPE said tickets dated for August 6 can be used on any of its trains on the booked route today, August 7, without additional charges.

🎥 #Manchester – The visual disruption map video has been updated#DisruptionVideos

ℹ️ Full video can be found here: https://t.co/W9hvWNiTWc pic.twitter.com/M4498fL8qz

— National Rail (@nationalrailenq) August 7, 2026

Advance Purchase tickets for today will have relaxed restrictions, allowing travel on any TPE train on the booked route.

Refunds are available for cancelled journeys or if TPE passengers are unable to complete their travel.

Affected TPE passengers can also use their tickets at no extra cost on Avanti West Coast services between Edinburgh/Glasgow Central and Preston, CrossCountry services between Leeds, York, Newcastle, and Edinburgh, and LNER services between York, Newcastle, and Edinburgh, up until 12:00 today.

East Midlands Railway services between Liverpool Lime Street and Sheffield, Metrolink services between Manchester Airport, Manchester Piccadilly, and Manchester Victoria, and all Bee Network buses are also accepting these TPE tickets up until 12:00 today.

The main services through York to the North West area terminate at Manchester Airport and Liverpool.

By JANE DENTON, MONEY REPORTER

Updated: 08:16 BST, 7 August 2026

The business that owns iconic Nottingham bike manufacturer Raleigh has begun insolvency proceedings.  

Accell, based in the Netherlands, acquired Raleigh for $100million in 2012 but said this week it had ‘exhausted all the available options’ and was ‘no longer able to meet its financial obligations’.

The fate of the Raleigh brand will now be decided by administrators. 

Raleigh confirmed a loss of £30.1million before tax in 2023 in its annual financial statement published in January 2025, against losses of £6.8million in 2022. 

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Raleigh previously confirmed redundancies in Nottingham in 2024 following a review of the company at the end of 2023 and left its headquarters in Church Street, Eastwood, to move to new premises. 

Raleigh was founded in 1887 and grew to be the largest bike manufacturer in the world. 

Downfall of an icon: The fate of Raleigh is now in the hands of administrators 

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At its peak, Raleigh was making 1million bikes a year at its factory in Nottingham and employed more than 8,000 people. 

Raleigh created the popular Chopper bike, with extended handlebars and seat with a backrest, in the 1970s. 

Jonas Nilsson, chief executive of Accell, said it was ‘a deeply sad and frustrating situation’.

Accell underwent a restructuring in February 2026, securing additional funding from shareholders and lenders, and reducing debts. 

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Accell said it had held discussions with several interested potential buyers, scrutinised multiple offers and looked at getting regulatory approval for a potential merger to help ensure Raleigh stayed viable. 

Nilsson said: ‘It is an especially difficult moment for our employees, creditors, customers, suppliers, and partners. 

‘Every realistic option for the future of the business has been tirelessly explored, and none have resulted in a solution to continue the Group in its current form. 

‘Our immediate focus is to support an orderly process, provide clarity wherever possible, and work with the relevant court-appointed administrators to preserve viable activities and employment where circumstances allow.’

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European bike and parts makers have come under pressure from Chinese rivals in recent decades, leading to fewer survivors in the sector. 

Accell was bought in 2022 in a £1.2billion buyout by the US private equity firm KKR. 

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Residents living in the shadow of the Llanwonno wildfire have described the fear of watching flames and smoke creep towards their homes, coming within just yards of their gardens.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) said on Thursday that the major incident had been stood down following days after helicopters releasing water onto the scorched earth. The fire covers 400 hectares – the equivalent to about 560 football pitches. On Sunday afternoon the scale was equivalent to 28 football pitches.

Residents in the nearby village of Blaenllechau say they have been living with smoke, road closures and fears they could be forced to leave their homes over the last few days. Read more here.

Ben, 47, from is believed to have been intending to go rock climbing when he was reported missing on Wednesday, August 5

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A body has been discovered during the search for a missing man.

Ben, from St Davids, in Pembrokeshire, wales, is believed to have been planning a rock climbing trip before he was reported missing on Wednesday, August 5.

Dyfed Powys Police confirmed that on Thursday, a body was recovered in the coastal area of Caer Bwdy.

In a statement released on Thursday evening, the force said: “Formal identification has not yet taken place, and while the family have been informed of this development, we are not in a position to confirm the identity of the deceased at this time. They are being supported by specially trained officers.

“We ask that the family’s privacy is respected while enquiries continue.”

Ben, 47, is thought to have set out from his St Davids home on Wednesday, August 5 at around midday with the intention of going rock climbing, reports Wales Online.

It is understood he was heading to either the Carreg y Barcud area, near Trelerw, or Caer Bwdy Bay, on the outskirts of St Davids in Pembrokeshire.

Concern grew amongst Ben’s family and friends after hours passed without any contact, prompting them to raise the alarm and call the emergency services.

Both a Coastguard vessel and helicopter were deployed as part of the search operation.

Singer Jesy Nelson shared an update on her twin daughters as they’re set to have an operation

Jesy Nelson has admitted to feeling ‘terrified’ as she revealed her twin daughters were set to undergo an operation as they continue to face their heartbreaking diagnosis.

The former Little Mix star revealed in January that her twin daughters, Ocean Jade and Story Monoroe, both aged 15 months, had been diagnosed with the rare condition spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), more specifically SMA Type 1, a rare genetic condition that causes progressive muscle weakness.

Jesy has kept fans updated on life with Ocean and Story, whom she shares with ex-fiance Zion Foster, since their diagnosis and has been seen fighting to change UK newborn screening laws.

The Department of Health were seen confirming last month that the national newborn screening programme for SMA will be rolled out across England as part of an evaluation programme from the end of this year, which means hundreds of thousands of babies will be screened as part of the simple heel prick blood test shortly after birth.

But it was on Thursday (August 6) that Jesy revealed the babies were having their nasogastric (NG) tubes removed on Friday (August 7). A nasogastric tube is a feeding tube passed through the nose, down the throat, and into the stomach, which delivers nutrients, fluids, and medications when a baby is unable to swallow unaided.

Sharing a picture of her little girls, Jesy wrote on Instagram: “Today is the last day of my baby girls having their ng tubes on their faces, as terrified as I am about them having their operation tomorrow, I cannot wait to finally see their faces again and see their little dimples that are always hidden under these plasters.”

She added: “I’ve honestly forgotten what it feels like to cuddle them and not worry about pulling their tube out of their nose or plasters off their faces. It really is the littlest things we take for granted as parents.”

It comes after doctors warned Jesy Ocean and Story were not responding to treatment the way they had hoped during their most recent three-month review at Great Ormond Street’s Children’s Hospital.

Jesy told The Sun: “Unfortunately, some of the numbers have gone down. We had a long discussion and there’s a possibility they may have to go back on treatment, which is just heartbreaking. I constantly battle between manifesting they’re going to defy the odds and trying to come to accept that that may not happen.

“It’s a really weird position to be in because you you think ‘well, if that doesn’t happen, am I just going to feel heartbroken for the rest of my life?’ Then you worry, if I accept it, am I also manifesting that?”

In a new update to passengers published 20 minutes ago, National Rail is warning disruption will be here for hours, as one train company has told passengers not to travel this morning.

The update said: “A failure of the electricity supply at a communications centre means trains across the Greater Manchester area and North West of England are being disrupted.

“Trains across the Greater Manchester area and North West of England will be cancelled, severely delayed or revised. Where trains can run, some may be severely delayed or will be revised to only run part of its route.

“Northern are advising do not travel until 10:00.

“Engineers are working hard to restore the issue and we are hopeful that train services will return to normal tomorrow. However, due to a number of trains being in the location, there will be some disruption to services on Friday morning.

“Major disruption is expected until the end of the day.”