England and Manchester City footballer thanks fundraisers in the North West for supporting the NSPCC's 1st national Childhood Day

ENGLAND and Manchester City footballer Lucy Bronze has thanked fundraisers across the North West and the rest of the UK for their efforts in supporting the NSPCC's 1st National Childhood Day. Childhood Day is the NSPCC's new annual fundraising event set up to celebrate the importance of play in childhood, with thousands of people across the UK having taken part in sponsored play activities to raise money for the children's charity. Thousands of fundraisers across the UK took part in the 1st national event, on 11 June 2021, with fundraising events in the North West, including the Manchester Youth Choir, releasing a cover of Jess Glynne's 'Don't Be So Hard On Yourself,' children at a primary School enjoying a day a play instead of classes, a 5 year old boy dressed as Marvel's Black Panther leading a team of superheroes climbing a peak in Wales and a drive in movie festival welcoming Ghostbusters to a haunted stately home in Cheshire.

Lucy said:- "It's been wonderful and inspiring to see how enthusiastically parents, children and families across the North West and the rest of the UK supported the NSPCC's Childhood Day this year. Children and young people benefit hugely from playing even the simplest of games, and play is an essential element to a healthy childhood, especially after the year we've just had. Playing has a hugely positive effect on our physical and mental wellbeing, and every singer, Schoolchild, trekker and film fan who took part in Childhood Day will have improved their emotional wellbeing and raised vital funds support children and young people across the UK."

Vickie Butcher, NSPCC community fundraising manager, said:- "From Primary School children climbing hills and playing games to Phil Reynolds' amazing Manchester Youth Choir creating such a powerful and poignant music video, I'm absolutely delighted with how well everyone in the Region has supported the NSPCC's 1st national Childhood Day. Every pound raised will go towards supporting children, young people and families across the Region and around the UK, but just as important for everyone taking part is the feeling that comes with enjoying play activities. Whether you take part in outdoor games or an online gaming session, play has been proven to improve mental and emotional wellbeing, and that's something we can all welcome after the last year."

To find out more about the NSPCC, including how you can support the charity, go to:- NSPCC.Org.UK and search NSPCC Childhood Day for news about upcoming events.

Fast and Furious 9:- The Fast Saga arrives at Vue Southport and tickets are on sale now

FASTEN your seatbelts, as the hottest blockbuster of the year so far arrives at the:- "Home of Big Screen Entertainment" and tickets are on sale now. From Thursday,, 24 June 2021, film lovers, thrill seekers and diehard fans alike can catch the 9 instalment of 1 of cinema's most iconic film franchises, in:- Fast and Furious 9:- The Fast Saga.

Despite calling time on his driving career and attempting to build a quiet life with Letty and his son, little Brian, Dom Toretto knows that danger is always lurking around the corner. Only this time, he must confront the sins of his past in order to save those he loves most.

Reprising their roles as members of the world's most talented plot busting crew:- Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Nathalie Emmanuel and Jordana Brewster will come together again to stop a world shattering plan led by the most skilled assassin and high performance driver they've ever encountered; Dom's brother.

Leigh Loudon, General Manager at Vue Southport, said:- "The Fast and Furious franchise is 1 of the most beloved film sagas in cinema history and so we're incredibly excited to announce the arrival of its 9th instalment. Dom Toretto and his family never fail to deliver a story packed with action, love and very fast cars, so filmgoers can escape to an exhilarating story made all the more thrilling by watching in the ultimate seat, screen and sound experience. We can't wait to welcome film lovers to one of the 1st and most hotly anticipated blockbusters on the big screen so far this year. Get your tickets fast."

Tickets are available now from:- MyVue.com.

HMRC can help towards the cost of children's summer holiday activities

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding working families in the North West that they can use Tax Free Childcare to help pay for their childcare costs over the summer. Tax Free Childcare; a childcare top up for working parents; can be used to help pay for accredited holiday clubs, childminders or sports activities; giving parents and carers that extra peace of mind that their child is having fun during the School summer holidays and it can save them money. Tax Free Childcare is available for children aged up to 11, or 17 if the child has a disability. And for every ₤8 deposited into an account, families will receive an additional ₤2 in Government top up, capped at ₤500 every 3 months, or ₤1,000 if the child is disabled.

Parents and carers can check their eligibility and register for Tax Free Childcare via:- Gov.UK. They can apply for an account at any time and start using it straight away. By depositing money into their accounts, families can benefit from the 20% top up and use the money to pay for childcare costs when they need to, for example, during the summer holidays.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Director General for Customer Services, said:- "We want to help kids stay active this summer, whether they are going to summer holiday clubs or a childminder. A childcare top up will go a long way towards helping parents plan and pay for summer activities to keep their kids happy and healthy. To find out more search 'tax free childcare' on GOV.UK."

A total of 36,795 working families used their account in March 2021 in the North West. And in the same month, HMRC paid out more than ₤33 million in top up payments, which was shared between more than 282,000 families across the UK. Tax Free Childcare is also available for pre-School aged children attending Nurseries, childminders or other childcare providers. Families with younger children will often have higher childcare costs than families with older children, so the tax free savings can really make a difference. Childcare providers can also sign up for a childcare provider account via:- Gov.UK to receive payments from parents and carers via the scheme.

New Cliasic Motor Event will celebrate Southport's unique motor sporting heritage

SOUTHPORT'S record breaking motor sporting heritage will be celebrated on the Town's Victoria Park, on Sunday, 10 October 2021. The centrepiece of:- "Southport Classic and Speed" will be a fabulous, themed display of veteran, vintage, classic and modern cars from all periods, followed by a grand parade along Lord Street and the promenade, the location of the original 1903 Speed Trial course. Added attractions will include:- marque and car club displays, local crafts, food and drink stalls and a shopping village. Admission for all members of the family will be completely free!

The 1903 speed trials marked the first time ever that a British woman had taken part in a speed event. The lady was the intrepid 21 year old Dorothy Levitt who became known as:- "The Fastest Lady on Earth." An example of the car she drove that day, a Gladiator, will be one of the star cars at:- "Classic and Speed."

The event is brought to you by Aintree Circuit Club, supported by Sefton Council, Southport BID and Victoria Park Events with sponsorship from Cataclean and Porsche Centre Preston. Classic cars and motorcycles of all periods are invited to take part. Entry, including the grand parade, is just ₤15; online only via the event website, where further announcements will be made in the coming weeks:- SouthportClassicAndSpeed.Com.