Latest news with #Airdrie
Daily Record
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
PE teacher aces testing London Marathon to raise nearly £3k for St Andrew's Hospice
Andrew Kennedy, 26, defied an injury suffered a few weeks before the event to complete the race in an impressive three hours, one minute and 15 seconds - and raise £2900 for the Airdrie charity. A Glenmavis PE teacher put himself through his paces as he aced the testing London Marathon in aid of St Andrew's Hospice. Andrew Kennedy defied an injury suffered a few weeks before the event to complete the race in an impressive three hours, one minute and 15 seconds - and raise £2900 for the Airdrie charity. The 26-year-old, who teaches PE at Calderhead High School in Shotts, has fundraised for the hospice since 2022 and has always been a keen runner. Andrew explained how he secured his spot at the London Marathon but then endured a setback during the build-up. He told Lanarkshire Live: "I saw that the hospice was advertising a place in the London Marathon and, six weeks before the event, I got a call from them saying I had secured the spot and they'd known had done a couple of previous marathons for the hospice. "I then got injured a couple of weeks before the marathon and was worried I wouldn't be able to do it. "But adrenaline kicked in on the day of the event, which helped the pain, and I ended up just suffering normal marathon pain, mainly cramps, during and after the race. "I was hoping to complete the marathon under three hours but did it in three hours, one minute and 15 seconds, which I was pleased with given my injury and the heat on the day." Andrew, who also took part in the Manchester Marathon last year, had a "wonderful" experience in the English capital. He said: "The London Marathon was absolutely brilliant and the excitement for it grew and grew in the build-up. "The crowds and support were unbelievable and the buzz outstanding; it gives you that extra bit of incentive. "I wanted to enjoy it and take everything in as you sometimes don't appreciate some of the landmarks you are running past. "My girlfriend travelled down to support me and when we met up afterwards it was a really humbling experience. "My legs were done and I got her on the phone and when we were walking down Whitehall I was in my socks and my legs had cramped up and I couldn't walk. "So people came to help me and I even asked a family if they had sugary sweets and they kindly gave me some. "Afterwards was the best cold pint of beer I've ever had in my life! "When I walked into school the next day I asked the kids if they could set up stuff for PE and they were glad to help as they knew I was done in!" Andrew is a passionate supporter of St Andrew's Hospice - and is extremely grateful for the financial backing he received from kind-hearted people during his latest fundraising effort. He said: "When I was a pupil at St Margaret's High in Airdrie the school had a lot of involvement with the hospice. "I am also an Airdrieonians fan and the club has a link with the hospice too, and used to have it as the team's shirt sponsor. "I hear of friends who know someone who has been in the hospice and the work they do is amazing. "I am always happy to give up my time for the hospice. "Running is easy; the hard bit is asking people to put their hands in their pockets, especially with the cost of living. "I managed to raise £2900 for the hospice this time around and I can't thank people enough for their contributions. "The hospice couldn't be more appreciative with the amount and it's great to be able to do something to help them out." *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
CTV News
21 hours ago
- Health
- CTV News
‘Under attack': Critics sound alarm on health care ahead of Airdrie town hall
The City of Airdrie is the largest municipality in Alberta without a hospital within its town limits. The Alberta NDP is concerned that a new, privately run facility will take away resources from the community. A town hall meeting on Thursday night in Airdrie will address growing concerns over the state of Alberta's health-care system. Hosted by the Airdrie-East New Democrats, organizers say the event is designed to give the community a platform to ask questions and hear from non-partisan health experts. One of the key issues expected to dominate the discussion is health-care privatization. Friends of Medicare, an advocacy group scheduled to speak at the event, claims Alberta's public health system is 'under severe attack from the Alberta government.' The group is particularly concerned about the province's decision to approve a privately-run urgent care centre in Airdrie. 'Rather than improving outcomes, this centre threatens to siphon front-line workers and limited resources away from our public system,' said the group in a post about the event. Friends of Medicare also says Airdrie, now the largest municipality in Alberta without a hospital, has been overlooked in health infrastructure planning. It notes that calls for a new community hospital have gone unanswered, despite the city's growing population and increasing demand for services. In a statement to CTV News, Health Minister Adriana LaGrange defended the province's actions and accused the NDP of spreading misinformation. 'Our government remains fully committed to a strong, publicly funded health-care system and is focused on delivering real, lasting improvements for all Albertans,' LaGrange said. 'Under attack': Critics sound alarm on health care ahead of Airdrie town hall The minister also cited shortcomings under the previous NDP government, including a compensation model that failed to attract doctors and longer wait times for surgeries. She then highlighted recent efforts by the current government to expand surgical capacity and recruit more physicians across the province. The town hall will take place at 6:30 p.m. at Airdrie's Town and Country Centre.
Daily Record
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Tommy Burns laid the Celtic foundations for success as former star insists class of '95 kickstarted Parkhead dominance
Hoops hero Tosh McKinlay played a major part in ending the club's trophy drought 30 years ago and it's been non stop silver since Celtic fans have got so used to securing silverware that even a Double can come with a tinge of disappointment. But there was a time when picking up a single trophy was something to really celebrate. And there's one in particular from 30 years ago that will always have a special place in the Hoops' history. It was Tosh McKinlay's trusty left peg that whipped in a pinpoint cross for Pierre van Hooijdonk to head the winner against Airdrie to claim the Scottish Cup in 1995 – and spark an outpouring of emotion. There were tears on the pitch with long-suffering heroes such as Paul McStay, Peter Grant and Packie Bonner savouring the return of success. The goal didn't just end six years of trophy agony for Celts though. McKinlay reckons the victory for Tommy Burns' side kick-started the revolution that led to the club's 21st century dominance. The former full-back is convinced his old gaffer laid the foundations for future success – and the late great would be beaming with pride at watching the current side at Parkhead. The loss of Burns in 2008 was devastating to family, friends and fans alike, but his legacy lives on, from the Hampden triumph to the coming within a whisker of winning the league with one of the most swashbuckling sides since the Lisbon Lions. McKinlay – who was presenting a £7,000 cheque to the annual Troon Taxi Outing on behalf of Celtic's Foundation – said: 'Tommy would be delighted. I've said many times we were unfortunate we didn't win the league. 'We were one game from being invincible, but we didn't win it. I think that team deserved to win the league. 'But Tommy would be delighted with how it's going for Celtic now. I think he laid the foundations for what you're seeing now for a very successful Celtic football club. 'It was six years without a trophy back then, but I think now there's about 40 odd trophies under Celtic's belt since. 'I remember when it was the Lions' 50th anniversary and I said they'd won a quarter of the trophies Celtic had won in their history. 'This team, all the managers, have now won 40 trophies in the last 15, 20 years. It's incredible and long may that continue.' McKinlay was part of a Celtic dressing room that was packed full of players who were steeping in the club. And he's thrilled it's a tradition that's been maintained during these glory days, with Kieran Tierney's return adding to the homegrown hardcore in the group. He said: 'In my time I was fortunate – Paul McStay, Tom Boyd, John Collins, Peter Grant, Packie Bonner and, latterly, Charlie Nicholas was still there. 'So there was a core of real Celtic men in that dressing room. It was easy to fit in. 'Then you sprinkle them with the Three Amigos – van Hooijdonk, Paulo di Canio and Jorge Cadete – plus Andy Thom, Lubomir Moravcik and Mark Viduka. 'I was very fortunate to play with a lot of these guys. But the core of the Celtic dressing room is very important and Kieran will add to that being back. 'Callum McGregor's already there, people like that, Anthony Ralston, James Forrest too. So, it's very important. 'Jamesy's obviously smashed the record with trophies won, another absolute legend at the club, which was held by the fantastic Bobby Lennox. 'Jamesy's another very important figure in the dressing room.' McKinlay was renowned for having a left foot that could open a tin of beans and he'd regularly fire over cross balls for the Amigos to lap up. He reckons it will be a similar story for the current side with Tierney back in town. The Scotland star earned his blockbuster £25million move to Arsenal on the back of his rampaging runs that helped the likes of Moussa Dembele and Leigh Griffiths score a barrel load of goals. KT is looking to pick up where he left off and strikers such as Adam Idah will be licking their lips at the prospect of his precision supply line. McKinlay said: 'Again, I was very fortunate, van Hooijdonk was 6ft 12, so I couldn't really fail! 'And Jorge wasn't too bad in the air either. So I was fortunate. 'Obviously, the goal in the Cup Final, everybody talks about. But there were plenty of other assists for van Hooijdonk and Cadete as well. 'I think Kieran will be looking forward - on that side where the Green Brigade are – to be marauding up and down that line. I'm really looking forward to seeing him getting the Hoops back on. I have to give special mention to Greg Taylor too. 'Obviously, it's still to be decided what he's going to be doing, but he got plenty of deliveries in for strikers also. One goal I can remember at Fir Park, a fantastic delivery for Idah. 'But I'm sure Adam will be looking forward to Kieran coming back.' McKinlay was thrilled to hand over the huge donation to the famous Troon Taxi Outing, where Glasgow's black cab drivers help give kids with support needs a memorable day out. He said: 'Time just flies, but it's another year I'm going to be doing the Taxi day for Celtic. 'It's a fantastic day in the calendar for me to come and lend a hand to setting the kids off for a brilliant day out.' Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
CTV News
a day ago
- Automotive
- CTV News
QEII cleared after vehicle collision between Airdrie and Crossfield: RCMP
The QEII between Airdrie and Crossfield has been cleared following a crash Wednesday afternoon. Airdrie RCMP issued an update around 5:46 p.m. saying the scene was now clear. On social media, the province said to expect delays due to volume.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
How a goal against Airdrie and a few famous Steelmen helped shape the career of new Motherwell boss Askou
Jens Berthel Askou is a shining example of what can happen in life when one is prepared to broaden one's horizons. Sixteen years ago, the Dane first alighted in Scotland after an indifferent spell in Turkey with Kasimpasa SK. Having joined Norwich City 's training camp on trial, he was thrown into a bounce match against Airdrie. Without a stroke of good fortune going his way, he believes his career might have gone down an entirely different path. 'I scored against Airdrie, so I've got a head start there,' smiled the new Motherwell manager. 'I have to admit, I don't even remember much about the goal. Luckily, someone hit me straight in my face and it went in. Then I succeeded in convincing them that I was worth keeping. 'I spent two years at Norwich. I met some very nice people there. I was lucky enough to have two Scottish managers. 'I had some Scottish team-mates who also had a history here at this club, Stephen Hughes and Simon Lappin. And then we had some friends outside football who were also Scottish. Nice people. 'So, my initial impression of Scotland has been very, very good.' Bryan Gunn, who'd been in charge as the Canaries were relegated to League One, was only ever holding the fort that summer. It was to be another Scot with a famous Fir Park connection in Paul Lambert who'd take charge and lead the side on a magic carpet ride back to the Premier League with successive promotions. The impression the Champions League winner made on Askou was to prove life-affirming. 'In terms of directness and clarity and how demanding he was, he was a big influence on my managerial career,' said the 42-year-old. 'There was an aura about him that inspired and pushed people to the maximum. He was demanding, but it was a very good environment. I have great respect for what he did.' That period in Norwich's history underscores what a huge thing momentum can be. Having romped to the League One title, Norwich kept winning in the Championship and clinched second spot. 'I think we got it right in so many ways,' added Askou. 'Our approach was really sharp at that time. We found some really good players with a lot of leadership and huge drive in their personalities. It was a very self-driven group.' Russell Martin was another figure from that time who made a profound impression on the Dane. He arrived on loan from Peterborough in the November of that first season and enhanced the dressing room culture. 'He was a fantastic person off the pitch,' Askou recalled of the now Rangers boss. 'Very, very professional. Very dedicated. A genuinely good guy. He approached everyone with the same attitude. Very friendly. 'He started his manager career in Milton Keynes and he's just done really, really well since then.' They will meet soon enough when hostilities in the Scottish Premiership resume. Askou believes there will be subtle differences in how their respective sides go about the business. 'He's got a modern approach to football and so do I,' he said. 'He's very uncompromising in his passing (style). 'I've probably in my career been a little bit more pragmatic at times. But I would say that maybe I've become more uncompromising in terms of if you really want to become really good at something then you have to be brave enough to do it when it hurts the most sometimes.' This philosophy has not been arrived at without careful consideration. After leaving East Anglia, Askou ran down his playing career at a string of lesser-known clubs in Denmark before taking his first managerial job at tiny Vendsyssel FF. 'I took over just before the end of the season in the second league,' he recalled. 'We were hanging in there and almost lost the chance of promotion. Then we did it through the play-offs. 'It was a very special year. It was a very small club. We had to do everything on our own. We were pumping up the balls, cutting the grass and watering the pitch. It was a great experience. I even hired my own sporting director after the original one resigned when I was a head coach.' With success, the offers came. HB Torshavn in the Faroe Islands may not be one of the game's hotbeds, but it felt like the right place at the right time. 'It was an opportunity for me to do something different, to go my own way,' recalled Askou. He landed the league and cup Double there, earned experience of European football and eventually was offered the chance to return to Denmark as manager of AC Horsens. After two years in which he also took them to the top division, fallen Swedish giants Gothenburg came calling. 'We were trying to rebuild the club from risking relegation, which would have been a disaster for a club of that size,' he explained. 'We made it in the last game of the league that season. We stayed up by scoring to make it 2-1 in the 96th minute to get us out of relegation. And then we started rebuilding with an even more brave style of play for six months.' He maintains he would gladly have remained had Sparta Prague not wanted to make him their assistant. His stay in the Czech capital only lasted six months — the time it took FC Copenhagen to offer him the same position. His burgeoning reputation was enhanced by helping them to the Double and the knockout stages of the Conference League. Self-assured and intelligent, you can see why Motherwell offered him a return to a managerial role. But with so many recent entries on his CV, you can also understand why some fans might question if he's going to stick around for long following the short-lived Michael Wimmer episode. 'I have no plans of going anywhere but here for as long as the club wants me,' he stressed. He's realistic about the prospect of retaining Lennon Miller beyond the transfer window. 'I think it would be naive to say we're not planning without him,' he said. 'But right now, he's here.' This speaks to an understanding of what he's signed up for. The promotion of youth, the main tenet of Motherwell's model, runs in his blood. 'I've given 25 or 26 under-19 players their first game in my five- and-a-half years as a head coach,' he said. 'I know what it's like and I love seeing young people develop and thrive. 'Some of them might start in the school around the corner. Then they might end up somewhere in a big European club when they're 20 years old. How fantastic it is to see people fulfil their dreams. 'I'm very excited to be here, because I feel I've found a place where I will thrive.'
