Merseyside Celebrity Photo Spot

PICTURED here by Vamphire.com is Holyoaks Stephanie Davis at Alder Hey, Liverpool, as she handed over a special Christmas present to sick children. ON the 20 December 2010, the actress is one of many cast members from Hollyoaks, Coronation Street and Emmerdale who have left goodwill messages.

Highways Agency advice to drivers as extremely low temperatures are forecast over Christmas

DRIVERS are being advised to check road conditions before they travel, as weather warnings have again been issued by the Met Office across the country. There is a warning of low temperatures in the North West, North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands, East Midlands and East of England. There is a further warning of low temperatures and snow in parts of the UK. The Highways Agency's winter fleet will be out treating the strategic road network by spreading salt and ploughing lying snow, but we are advising drivers to take extra care. With exceptionally low temperatures, we are advising drivers to take extra care because of the risk of ice forming on road surfaces. We advise road users to be prepared with warm clothing and an emergency pack, which includes food and water, boots, de-icer, a torch, and a shovel in case of snow. Unlike this driver, clear all windows, roof and body work of snow and ice.  If you leave snow or ice on your vehicle, it can prove hazardous to other drivers and also hampers your ability to see.

While salt is very effective at reducing the risk of ice formation, at very low temperatures there can be a risk of ice on road surfaces even when salt has been spread. Where roads have been treated, drivers are advised to pay particular care where local conditions such as road gradients, bends or overhanging trees mean there may be an increased risk of difficult driving conditions. Drivers should take care around salt spreading vehicles and vehicles clearing snow and should only overtake if they can do so safely, without driving on any un-cleared snow. Winter service vehicles are performing essential work to help keep roads open and may be travelling at low speed. It can take ten times longer to stop when it is icy, so allow more room to slow down and stop. Avoid losing control of your vehicle because of wheel spin, by using the highest gear possible. Avoid sudden braking, acceleration and sharp turns. The Highways Agency, which operates and maintains motorways and other strategic roads in England, is working closely with the Met Office to monitor weather conditions.

LITTLE GIRL REMEMBERED RAISES CASH FOR SPORTS CENTRE WHERE SHE LIVED IN MEMORY OF RHYS

A Liverpool family who lost their daughter a year ago on Friday, 17 December 2010, have raised over £4500 at an event they held to remember her to raise money for the Rhys Jones Memorial Fund.

Her Uncle Les Stagg tells their story:- “We all loved Louise more than we can ever say and it’s difficult to know where to begin. She took ill around September 2009 and was diagnosed with auto-immune hepatitis. She has a reaction to the treatment and developed Steven Johnson’s Syndrome. She ended up in Alder Hey intensive care unit in a drug induced coma. She died in the early hours on 17 December 2010. She was 12. She would have been 13 on 3 September 2010. What can I say about her? Her name was Louise Holywell and I’m proud to say a blue... She was my niece but so much more. She lived with her mum and grandparents. She never knew her father. She was so special to all her aunts and uncles that she never missed him. It’s difficult to say what she was like because she really was so nice and lovely. Nobody ever had a bad word to say about her and I suppose the amount of people who miss her is a tribute to that. A lot of friends and family are still finding it difficult to come to terms with what happened. She was at Broughton Hall School and had so many friends there as well as neighbors who all miss her. She loved sport and was a real trier at everything she did. She also loved her music. She was always willing to try things and was always there to help anybody even when she was ill. I was diagnosed with cancer in July 2009 and was having chemo when she was ill. Even though she wasn’t well she always asked how I was and gave me a hug She was well travelled, she went to Spain one or two times a year with her mum and grandparents and normally had a couple of other holidays each year with other members of the family. There are so many things I wish I had done with her and told her while she was still with us and normally its the smallest thing that brings back memories, music is the worst. I know the whole family find it difficult some times and the rest of the time it just feels impossible, any of us would give anything to have her back. The night went really well. The Alder Road Sports and Social Club was packed (standing room only) and even the regulars in the lounge and the staff contributed to the raffles. The staff also gave us there tips for the night as well. They where fantastic The actual night went really quick as we were still selling tickets up to the draw, which took longer than expected due to the huge number of donated prizes. The whole family would like to thank everybody that contributed. Some of the prizes for the raffle were amazing and turnout was fantastic. Again the whole family would like to thanks everybody who contributed, came along or helped in any way. We raised about £3900 on the night. Carol did the run in Majorca with some friends from Lifestyle, Picton Road and raised about another £600. The reason for picking the Rhys Jones fund is a bit odd really. Louise was the type of girl who would do anything for anybody, I know this better than anybody for how she was with me during the last few months of her life as I was having Chemo. She always thought of others first. I think she would have loved to know that even now she was helping others (especially children) in the area where she lived. Also she is buried about 20 yards from Rhys and I think the whole family like to think they are friends and together now. I hope starting on the scaled down plans will help Mel and Steve put some things behind them and move on. I know how hard this is. I find it hard to put in words my feelings for what I wish for Mel and Steve. There is all the usual comments but I don’t think these are right. Louise and Rhys where 2 different people taken too early and I can’t begin to imagine what Rhys’ parents went thru. I know that nobody really knows how I feel and what I think about Louise and there are no words that any one can say that will either comfort me or make me change the way I feel. I’m sure Mel and Steve feel the same so I’ll just say my thoughts are with them. Louise is missed by her mum Carol, grandparents Joan and Tommy, great aunty Rosie, Aunties Brenda, Ann and Clare, Uncles Les, Dave, John and James and nephews Joseph and Jack as well as the rest of the family, friends and anyone else who knew her.”

Christine Chellew Events and fundraising manager from the charity said:- “When I received the news I was very touched by Louise’s story and we are very grateful of all the fundraising efforts from the family. We will remember Louise as we begin the building work. Its with the support of families like Louise’s we have reached our goal this year.”