- AGE CONCERN LIVERPOOL AND POWERGEN BANISHING BEDTIME HORRORS
MANY older people across Liverpool will be relying on their trusty electric blanket for warmth over this winter, oblivious to the potential dangers of simply plugging it in.
Old or damaged electric blankets cause more than 5,000 house fires a year and older people aged 65 years or more are at greatest risk, with six times the national average of fatal injuries. That's why Age Concern has teamed up with Powergen for the sixth consecutive year to offer free electric blanket testing to older people in Liverpool on Tuesday November 9, 2004.
A qualified technician should check electric blankets every three years for signs of wear or damage. But even a basic safety check can cost up to £35, almost half the weekly state pension! Many older people either cannot afford to pay or are unaware of just how much it could cost not to have their blanket tested.
To help older people sleep in safety this winter, Powergen has already funded 40 testing days across the UK during September and October. And all worn or potentially dangerous electric blankets discovered at the testing day in Liverpool will be repaired or replaced by Powergen free of charge.
The testing day hosted by Age Concern Liverpool will take place on:- TUESDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2004 at the:- Active Age Centre, Townsend Lane, Liverpool, L13 9DY
Testing is by appointment only and can be booked by calling 08457 00 99 66 (calls will be charged at the local rate). Appointments must be booked before 12pm on Monday November 8, 2004. The appointment line is open between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Dil Daly, Chief Executive of Age Concern Liverpool, said:- "The winter months can be very difficult for older people who sometimes struggle to keep warm. Each year we meet hundreds of people who don't realise how dangerous it can be to use an old or damaged electric blanket. We want as many people as possible to take advantage of our scheme this year to ensure a warm and safe winter."
Dr Lee Clarke, Powergen's Head of Social and Corporate Affairs, said:-
"We're really pleased to be working with Age Concern again this year to help older people sleep more safely this winter. There are an estimated three million electric blankets in use in the UK which are over ten years old and blankets of this age are responsible for 99% of house fires caused by electric blankets. It's really important that older people have their blankets checked regularly by an expert;
it's just not worth taking the risk."
Since the scheme began in 1999, Age Concern and Powergen have tested a total of 17,314 blankets, of which 10,646 have been repaired or replaced by Powergen free of charge.
- HELP US FIND THE REAL LIVING LEGENDS
CHERIE Booth QC, Patron and spokesperson of Help the Aged Living Legend Awards, is calling on readers in the North to nominate their local living legends. The Living Legend Awards, in association with BT, acknowledge, reward and celebrate the outstanding acts of bravery and kindness of those unsung older heroes of everyday life.
Ms Booth said:- "We live in a society full of awards such as the BAFTAs, Oscars, Emmys and of course the recent Olympics. The Living Legend Awards recognise the amazing achievements and courageous acts of older individuals, as well as the real difference made by other generations, groups and organisations.
Over the years I have had the pleasure of meeting so many incredible people who have achieved their goals irrespective of age. I am delighted yet again, as Patron and spokesperson of Help the Aged Living Legend Awards, to invite you to assist us in our search. I do hope readers will support the Help the Aged Living Legend Awards; what better way to say thank you to the older heroes of everyday life?"
The award categories include Local Hero, Achievement in Sport and Helping Unite Generations, which is a separate award open to schools who are actively working together with older people to bridge the generation gap. The Living Legend finalists
representing the North will be invited
to a glittering awards ....
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ceremony at London's Dorchester Hotel on Wednesday 23 March 2005, where the winners will be announced.
Show you care and make your nomination now. A nomination form can be obtained from the awards hotline 020 7239 1922 or by writing to Living Legends, Help the Aged, 207-221 Pentonville Road, London N1 9UZ. Alternatively, you can log on to the website
www.helptheaged.org.org/events, email events@helptheaged.org.uk or visit your local Help the Aged shop.
The closing date for all nominations is 28 January 2005.
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- LIVERPOOL FC SUPPORTS OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
LIVERPOOL FC is backing the 2004 Operation Christmas Child campaign (collection starts November
5 in a major way, with active support from one of the city's major football clubs, while the scene is set for an outstanding occasion at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral on November 21 with the celebration of Shoebox Sunday led by the Blue Peter presenter Simon Thomas.
Liverpool FC has thrown its weight behind this year's Operation Christmas Child campaign, which will be collecting gift-filled shoeboxes to send to children in need in 14 countries from now (6 November) to the 21 November. Dave Cooke of Wrexham, who met with members of the Liverpool first team, started Operation Christmas Child in 1990.
Nick Parry, Chief Executive of Liverpool FC, says:- "As a club we are pleased to support the continuing efforts of Operation Christmas Child to bring some happiness and light into young lives that have been blighted by poverty, war and natural disaster."
Simon Barrington, general manager of Samaritan's Purse, the Christian charity that runs the Operation Christmas Child programme, states:-
"Liverpool FC is a great supporter of our campaign. Not only will the players' involvement in this year's Operation Christmas Child make a significant impact and help lift awareness of what we're doing, but the club has also been a consistent supporter of ours for a number of years.
For example, we have just returned from organising a football coaching programme for children in Beslan, the North Ossetian town where terrorists killed 330 people in School No. 1 at the beginning of September. Liverpool FC community coaches were part of our party and carried out marvellous work with children and disabled players. In total we coached 3,500 children and it is another example of how valuable support from the club can make a major difference to many young lives.
It is brilliant to have all of Liverpool FC, including the first team players, take part in the 2004 Operation Christmas Child campaign.
The city of Liverpool is a major supporter of ours and this year. Operation Christmas Child has got a new finale to the collection campaign in the shape of Shoebox Sunday. This is when special church services will be held in over 500 churches throughout the UK, on 21 November, to permit the congregation. Leading the congregation in Liverpool Cathedral on Shoebox Sunday will be Simon Thomas, the Blue Peter presenter, and I am certain it will be a memorable occasion."
Anyone wishing to attend the event on 21st November should contact the Samaritan's Purse Wrexham office on 01978 367722.
"Once again, the city of Liverpool is demonstrating its kindness and thoughts for those who are less fortunate, and we greatly appreciate the support not only from the club and players, but also from the people of Liverpool in backing our campaign."
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