IN just a few days’ time the United States will come together and vote for either the utterly ludicrous or hideously compromised.

And if Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton’s funeral for democracy (thanks Miles Jupp) isn’t enough to make you pray for a more purposeful version of Guy Fawkes in 2016, there’s always the delight of our domestic affairs.

If only there was a Brexit ‘swear box’, where anyone in public life mentioning this sideshow was forced to hand over a fiver.

Any funds raised could be donated to funding foodbanks, a much more shameful legacy in 2016 than scrapping over whether European or homegrown politicians, or their lawyer friends, get to rob us blind. Or maybe you could send every refugee kid to Alton Towers for the weekend.

But that’s all the time Podium intends to devote to the venal scramblings of the Witless of Westminster and Washington.

Because life’s too darned short and it’s slowly dawning on your correspondent that you’re better served tilting at windmills which are at least within reach.

Dave Thompson, Warrington Disability Action Partnership legend, is marshalling support for five-year-old Leon Hoey, who is aiming to raise just under £6,000 for a hot tub which, as a cerebral palsy sufferer, would ease his tight leg muscles.

He’s already, with a little help from his supporters, especially his busy cousin Rebecca Thornley, collected around £3,000 or so.

The youngster, mum Ann-Marie Dougan and his crew have tackled the Great Orme in Llandudno (scene of last week’s column) en-route and the last £2,800 is in their sights.

Guardian readers may recall Leon’s tale from earlier this year when, after a day to remember with the Warrington Wolves and club icon Lee Briers, he delivered the match ball to the referee before the Wire’s victory over Castleford.

And anyone who knows Dave Thompson can figure out that, if he rolls his sleeves up, it’s getting done.

He’s urging people to e-mail him on davethompson@ disabilitypartnership.org.uk

I’m going to go out on a limb and categorically state that any assistance given to Leon’s cause will easily outweigh voting for Brexit or harbouring any lingering thoughts that the billionaire bully boy Trump is somehow the anti-Establishment voice of the downtrodden.

  •  One of the few crumbs of comfort to be gleaned from England’s narrow loss to New Zealand (apart from them playing Land of Hope and Glory, the proper National Anthem, just before kick-off) should give food for thought to Warrington coaches.

Because in the Wall of White’s 19-man squad, three amateur clubs reigned supreme when it came to bragging rights.

No-one was touching Dewsbury Moor, thanks to the Burgess brothers’ initial allegiances, and the famous Wigan St Pats club boasted Liam Farrell and George Williams.

But Latchford Albion was at the top table again, thanks to the presence of Leeds centre Callum Watkins and Wolves’ returning prop Mike Cooper.

Cooper has already spoken, after departing St George Illawarra, of wanting Warrington’s development networks to one day mirror the might of Wigan, St Helens and Leeds. This is an ideal platform to build from.

(Without a hint of primrose and blue favour, we surely looked much brighter at Huddersfield when Chris Hill was terrifying the Kiwi pack, and Daryl Clark sparked the ruck into life, in the second half. Maybe Wayne Bennett doesn’t need to be so over-reliant on his NRL-based talismans in future.)

  •  The final word should go to the Podium reader who devoted a lengthy e-mail, seeking to prove how Warrington and other northern authorities are not hard done by, under this Tory regime, following past criticisms on this page. Once I decipher the numbers, as someone who’s barely numerate, I’ll be sure to reply. Promise.