Jonathan Bellamy

CEO Cross Rhythms, Chair Stoke on Trent City Centre BID, proud dad, loves his wife, follows Jesus (best he can).

[Cross Rhythms City Radio 101.8/96.6FM @CRCityRadio]

A maternal mental health charity has helped over 330 pregnant women and new mothers in its first five years.

Sally Wilson founded Mothers Mind Staffordshire after recovering from postnatal depression.

She told us peer support can help people to 'be heard' and 'heal'.

The charity was given the 'Community Group of the Year' award at Your Heroes Awards 2025.

@MindMothers @Heroes_Awards @UniofStaffs @Jennyamphlett @MartinTideswell

[Cross Rhythms City Radio 101.8/96.6FM @CRCityRadio]

Stoke-on-Trent is heading towards a 'humanitarian crisis'. That's according to a report which says increasing levels of poverty in the city is being driven by cuts to health, welfare and social services - and gaps in employment rights.

Lead researcher Prof. David Etherington told us more people are falling deeper into debt and demand on foodbanks is at unprecedented levels.

You can more about this on our Breakfast Show tomorrow.

@UniofStaffs @SNS_CAB

[Cross Rhythms City Radio 101.8/96.6FM @CRCityRadio]

🇬🇧 A North Staffordshire teenager has been selected to represent Great Britain in Ju Jitsu.

🤼‍♀️ Ellie Burndred will take part in her first international competition next month.

🤼 She also helps out at her local club in Draycott, run by her mum Tara, who is a former world champion.

🌟 Ellie was given a 'Future Star' award at Your Heroes Awards 2025.

@Heroes_Awards @UniofStaffs @Jennyamphlett @MartinTideswell

[Your Heroes Awards @Heroes_Awards]

From parent and toddler sessions to a dementia care group, @SwanBank Methodist Church in Burslem reaches out to all sectors of the local community. It was highly commended in the Community Group of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards🏆👏⭐️

[Cross Rhythms City Radio 101.8/96.6FM @CRCityRadio]

Only 9⃣ days to go until Christmas!

Here's our latest #PlaylistUpdate - with some more festive additions and carols from brilliant artists, such as @jvkesongs, Forrest Frank, @rhettwalker and more!

Check out our playlist anytime, by heading to our website: https://t.co/jQG9fgc8g5!

[Cross Rhythms City Radio 101.8/96.6FM @CRCityRadio]

A Stoke-on-Trent healthcare worker is to retire after almost four decades of service at a hospice.

Lynn Parkin has cared for thousands of people at Dougie Mac over 38 years.

The 65 year old was given the 'Carer of the Year' award at Your Heroes Awards 2025 and she told us the award was for the whole team.

The 19th annual awards honoured dozens of unsung local heroes making a real difference in the community.

@DougieMacStoke @Heroes_Awards @UniofStaffs @Jennyamphlett @MartinTideswell

[Cross Rhythms City Radio 101.8/96.6FM @CRCityRadio]

ICYMI: You can now catch up on this week's Business Spotlight finale with Tom from the @StaffsChambers of Commerce!

Here's the magic link: https://t.co/1xhhsGT7ER

#BusinessSpotlight with @babababoon2017 will return in 2026! 📻🐒

[Cross Rhythms City Radio 101.8/96.6FM @CRCityRadio]

You shall go to the ball! #Cinderella gets underway at the Regent Theatre this evening. Panto favourites Jonny Wilkes and Kai Owen will be joined on stage by West End and touring musical stars.

Ahead of opening night, here's a recap from the panto launch event...

[Cross Rhythms City Radio 101.8/96.6FM @CRCityRadio]

🏫 A Stoke-on-Trent charity is working to protect young people from exploitation. Voice of Hope is visiting schools to help children understand the risks and warning signs of 'county lines' criminal activity.

🏢 They have recently been given funding to extend the service further into the community.

🌟 Former police officer and teacher Graham Phillips and Catherine Morris have been honoured with the 'Inspiration in Education' award at Your Heroes Awards 2025.

🎥 We asked them about their award-winning work.

@voiceofhope2015 @Heroes_Awards @UniofStaffs @Jennyamphlett @MartinTideswell

[Cross Rhythms City Radio 101.8/96.6FM @CRCityRadio]

Sculptor Andy Edwards - whose statue of Lemmy Kilmister was unveiled in Burslem this year - has been recognised for showcasing Stoke-on=Trent in a positive light.

Andy received a Civic Pride award at Your Heroes Awards 2025 and told us, “the city is full of heroes.”

The Lemmy statue visitor book has already recorded visitors from over 60 nationalities.

@Heroes_Awards @UniofStaffs @Jennyamphlett @MartinTideswell

[Cross Rhythms City Radio 101.8/96.6FM @CRCityRadio]

🫶 A 13 year old who's raised £40,000 for charity says he 'just wants to help other people'.

🌟 Alfie Simcox was given a 'Future Star' award at Your Heroes Awards 2025.

🧡 The teen has raised funds for @UHNMCharity & @StLukesHospice.

Alfie told us about his amazing efforts...

[Cross Rhythms City Radio 101.8/96.6FM @CRCityRadio]

ICYMI: Tom Nadin from the @StaffsChambers of Commerce discusses the Chamber's goals for 2026 and what the local business community might be able to expect from the big changes coming to local governance in the region.

Listen in this afternoon, at 1:10pm for the final #BusinessSpotlight of the year - brought to you with Sonya Farrall and @babababoon2017 🐒📻

[Cross Rhythms City Radio 101.8/96.6FM @CRCityRadio]

A Stoke-on-Trent critical care nurse who is now waiting for life-saving care of her own has been hailed an 'NHS Hero'. Joanne Blackburn has worked at the Royal Stoke University Hospital for 18 years, where she is a staff nurse. For the last two years she has also been waiting for a kidney and pancreas transplant.

Joanne told us she didn't consider herself to be a hero after she was given an award at Your Heroes Awards 2025. The awards recognise ordinary people making a real difference across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.

The mother of three is appealing to others to consider signing the organ donation register and giving others a potentially life-saving gift.

@Jennyamphlett @MartinTideswell @UniofStaffs @UHNM_NHS

[Cross Rhythms City Radio 101.8/96.6FM @CRCityRadio]

We're sad to hear about the passing of legendary music promoter Mike Lloyd. He was a true champion of music locally.

In tribute, at 1pm today we'll replay an in-depth interview we recorded with Mike in our studios last year as part of a podcast series with @UniofStaffs.

[Cross Rhythms City Radio 101.8/96.6FM @CRCityRadio]

In the final #BusinessSpotlight of 2025, Sonya and Tom Nadin from the @StaffsChambers of Commerce round up how local businesses have gotten by over the last 12 months.

Catch the full conversation tomorrow at 4:15pm!

Brought to you in partnership with @babababoon2017 🐒📻

[Cross Rhythms City Radio 101.8/96.6FM @CRCityRadio]

✨ A businessman who has personally raised around £400,000 for charity over the past three decades has been given an award for his phenomenal efforts.

💪 Nathan Walton, CEO of Insurance Connections, has raised much of that money for a Stoke-on-Trent hospice by undertaking a series of epic challenges.

‍👉 He gave us a hint about one of the next big fundraisers he's planning after being given 'Charity Champion of the Year' award at Your Heroes Awards 2025.

@Heroes_Awards @UniofStaffs @Insuranceconns @DougieMacStoke @Jennyamphlett @MartinTideswell

[Cross Rhythms City Radio 101.8/96.6FM @CRCityRadio]

Two PCs have been commended for courage shown during violent disorder in Stoke-on-Trent. Working in the role of Police Liaison officers, PC Bethany Cottrell and PC Natalie Millward disarmed people wielding weapons without protective equipment in Hanley.

[Cross Rhythms City Radio 101.8/96.6FM @CRCityRadio]

⭐ An award-winning charity CEO says he just wants to 'make a difference'. Lloyd Cooke from @SaltboxCentre was given a 'Civic Pride' honour at Your @Heroes_Awards 2025.
🚀 He's grown the charity to an organisation employing 60 people, working with ex-offenders, vulnerable older people and providing debt advice to foodbank users.
🗣️ Lloyd also holds many advisory roles and is Chair of Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent and Chair of the Stoke-on-Trent Voluntary Sector Leaders’ Forum.
🏅 He was praised for his decades of tireless hard work for Stoke-on-Trent.

@Jennyamphlett @MartinTideswell @UniofStaffs @lloyd_cooke @healthwatchsot

[Cross Rhythms City Radio 101.8/96.6FM @CRCityRadio]

💼 Entrepreneur Mo Chaudry is the special guest on the 100th edition of #BusinessSpotlight this week.
📈 Mo recently sold local attraction Waterworld in multi-million-pound deal. He's also behind the M Club fitness and leisure clubs among other things.
💪 Mo chats about his defining moments and hard-won lessons that shaped his journey over decades.

Catch the full interview on our Breakfast Show tomorrow at 8:15am

#BusinessSpotlight is brought to you in partnership with @babababoon2017.

[Cross Rhythms City Radio 101.8/96.6FM @CRCityRadio]

A 17 year old student awaiting a heart operation has been praised for helping others. Paige Collins has raised thousands of pounds for charity and volunteers time to help children engage with sport. The @SOTCollege student, from Bentilee, is due to have surgery on a hole in her heart next year.

Paige was given a 'Child of Courage' award at Your @Heroes_Awards 2025 and you can hear from more award winners on our Breakfast Show tomorrow and all this week.