The AA Save the Day at Alexandra House

AA Patrolmen went the extra mile to save the day when heavy snow threatened major problems for UK charity BEN’s Alexandra House Residential Centre in Southport.

The Assistant Matron was deeply concerned that residents would not be able to receive visitors or leave to attend hospital appointments unless the ramp and steps were gritted. The local council and businesses were unable to help due to a shortage so BEN’s Regional Manager contacted the AA for advice.

AA Patrols Chris McGunigle and Graham Lamb received the call for help on Wednesday evening and, at 6am the following morning (Chris’s day off), they set off grit to the entrances to the building.

Jenny Brown, BEN’s Director of Care Services said:- “It is not unusual for the AA to go above and beyond the call of duty and in this case they have really saved the day for residents, staff and visitors of Alexandra House. It is a huge relief for everybody that we now have a safe path in and out of the building. Our sincere gratitude to Chris and Graham for this exceptional support.”

Hospital chief's big hand for staff in Big Freeze

STAFF at Southport and Ormskirk hospitals have been praised for their "enormous professionalism" during last week's Big Freeze.  Sheilah Finnegan, chief operating officer at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust, said:- "I am hugely proud of the way in which staff rose to the challenge of getting to work in terrible weather.  We had staff walking long distances to work, making special childcare arrangements when the schools closed and sleeping overnight on site to ensure they were there for patients the next day.  I think these examples symbolise the enormous professionalism and commitment of all the people we employ.  The fact we only had to cancel or restrict a relatively small number of appointments during the whole week is something, I am sure, our patients will have particularly appreciated."  Mrs Finnegan added that despite a slow thaw, pressure on health services was expected to continue through the winter period.  She added:- "We have plans in place to deal with this but, as usual, appeal to the public to use NHS services appropriately.  Accident and emergency services are for seriously ill people and emergencies. A well stocked medicine cabinet can deal with most minor ailments and injuries. If you need further advice go to your local pharmacist, treatment centre or out of hours GP service."

WITNESS APPEAL - RTC, HOGHTON STREET, SOUTHPORT

MERSEYSIDE Police are appealing for any witnesses to a road traffic collision which happened in Hoghton Street in Southport on Thursday, 7 January 2010.

Officers were called to the scene at around 3.45pm following reports that a gold-coloured car had collided with a 14 year old girl as she crossed the road at its junction with Manchester Road.

The 14 year old was knocked to the floor but escaped with bumps and bruises.

The female driver initially stopped at the scene, which is close to the YMCA and Holy Trinity Church, but left before the police arrived. Officers are keen to trace this driver, along with a man who was passing-by at the time and stopped to check that the young girl was okay, as they may have important information about what happened.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to call PC Kurt Timpson in the Force's traffic department in Maghull on:- 0151 777 3723 or 3724.

CRIME PREVENTION - AINTREE - MAKE YOUR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS LESS ATTRACTIVE TO THIEVES

WERE you lucky enough to receive a new mobile phone, this Christmas? If so, Merseyside Police is urging you to make mobile phones less attractive to would be thieves by immobilising them.

As part of a crime prevention initiative, PCSO’S from Maghull are encouraging people to bring along their mobile phones to the mobile police station at Asda, Aintree on 15 January 2010 between 9.00am and 4.00pm for registering with Immobilise. The Immobilise system is a property-registering scheme that encourages members of the public to register their mobiles on the National Mobile Database, making your property less attractive to thieves.

To register your phone you will need your handsets IMEI number. This can be found on the box that the phone came in, on your contract, on a label usually located behind the battery or key in *#06#. You should also keep a written note of the IMEI number, as the police will need this if you have to report your phone as stolen

Once registered the phone will be recorded on the national Immobilise mobile phone database making them easier to identify when recovered after being lost or stolen. Once registered officers can speedily check a phones history.

Many mobile phones are lost or stolen each week and, if owners fail to keep a proper record of their phone, it is difficult for police to prove a phone is stolen, or to trace the owner. It is hoped that this Crime prevention scheme will encourage local residents to keep their property safe and make it harder for thieves to operate in Sefton.   For more information go to:- immobilise.com to create a FREE private and secure portfolio of all your personal property.