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Onesies,
Zumba, Drops and Zips??? Refuse to ignore people in crisis this Red Cross
Week
RED Cross Week runs from 5
May to 11 May 2013 and is a fundraising and awareness-raising week to raise
funds to support British Red Cross projects both at home and abroad.
All projects bring help to people in crisis; such as those in the
UK whose lives are disrupted by fire or flooding, people who have
no-one to look after them when discharged from hospital, or those
affected by disasters overseas.
Senior Community Fundraiser from the British Red Cross, Alexis
Fairclough from Merseyside, is appealing to the generosity of the
public across the area to help this year during Red Cross Week (5-11
May). Alexis said:- "Thank you to everyone for your support
across Merseyside for the British Red Cross. Your help, donations,
taking part in events and assistance has helped the lives of
vulnerable people right across the World and right here in
Merseyside.
I wanted to let you know with your support, last year, the total
number of people we helped across the NorthWest was 66,628. We can't
do it without the voluntary donations, corporate support and people
who have taken part in our challenge events. You really do make it
happen! Thank you and I hope you can help this year once again.
Red Cross Week events are fun fundraising events anyone can get
involved with. Can you put up a poster in work, school, college, the
pub, the gym.... or anywhere you can to get people to help us
refuse people in crisis and take part in one of our fun events in
Merseyside, or even organise a small fundraiser yourself? Just £3
can provide hot drinks and snacks for a family of four after they
have been rescued from a house fire. £5 could help train someone in
life-saving first aid skills, £20 could pay for a 'Parcel of
Hope' that contains food, milk and other essentials to support
people returning from hospital and £50 could fund first aid training
for a profoundly disabled person. We want to get as many people as possible
involved in Red Cross Week this year right across Merseyside and get
involved in fundraising for he worlds largest humanitarian
organisation, dedicated to saving lives and changing lives every
day, you WILL make a difference".
Here are some of our fun events you can join in with!
ONESIE WEDNESDAY, 8 MAY 2013!
What is Onesie Wednesday and how can I
help?
The newest form of sleep-wear "The Onesie"
is proving to be very popular, and no more so than in our very own
Merseyside! On Wednesday, 8 May 2013, I am asking for people to Wear Your Onesie
to work or school for Onesie Wednesday! You can do this anywhere!
Whether you work in a pub, a shop, an office, a garage, drive a bus
or taxi, go to school or University, a cafe, a library, the
Council.... in fact EVERYONE could get involved for the day and have
some fun!
To get involved in ONESIE Wednesday please
email or call Alexis on 0151
702 5061 for your fundraising pack! University of Liverpool students
will be out on the streets of Liverpool in their Onesies collecting
on 8th May, and we're already looking at holding a "Pimp Your
Onesie!" at our office in Liverpool, for those who'd like to
"bling-up"
their Onesie or Pimp their PJ's in time for the big day itself!!
The Big Red Drop
We're looking for dare devils to abseil 101 foot down the side of
one of Wirrals finest landmarks, Leasowe Lighthouse in celebration
of the lighthouse's 250th anniversary this year. The event is on
Sunday, 28 April, you don't need to have abseiled before, you'll be
in very safe hands with our abseil experts EightPointTwo. It's just
£10 to register and all we are asking is you raise £1 per foot you
drop!! To register your team please go to:-
redcross.org.uk/leasowelighthouse
or call:- 0151 702 5061
The Big
Red Zumba
In association with Gemma from
Party
Feet come along and work your
body to the Latin beat! Ditch the workout and join the party! This
fun zumbathon will be held at David Lloyds Gym, Speke, on Sunday 19
May 12pm till 3pm. It's just £8 to take part in the Big Red Zumba,
and all money raised will go to Red Cross Week. Call Alexis now on
0151 702 5061 to book your place.
Runcorn
Bridge Zip Wire
Back by popular demand towards the autumn on Sunday,
15 September 2013, is Runcorn Bridge Zip Wire event. Imagine the thrilling
experience of flying across the Mersey Estuary, over 600 foot from a
90 metre high point, straight off the Runcorn Bridge!! This is a
very popular event, and we only have limited places available, so
you need to register now to guarantee your place. It's £10 to
register and aim to raise £150 in sponsorship. Register
now.
If any of the above are not your cup of tea, but you would like to
find out more about how you can help for Red Cross Week or take part
in another of our events, whether its a run, trek, walk or swim,
please go to:-
redcross.org.uk or
call Alexis on:- 0151 702 5061.
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Fast Tag - the
convenient way to travel through the Mersey Tunnels
FROM 1 April Mersey Tunnel
tolls will be increased for drivers using cash; these increases
will not apply to Fast Tag users. Fast Tag is a quicker and
more convenient way to pay for tolls; it can be loaded with funds in
advance of your journey, removing the need to carry cash or to wait
for change. Regular users can budget with one monthly payment and
receive a discount on all of their journeys in the process.
There is no upfront cost for the Tag, just an initial credit to your
account, and it's easy to apply online. Once your account is in
place the Tag can be topped up either by regular monthly direct
debit or for less frequent users, by card payment as needed.
Councillor Liam Robinson, Chair of Merseytravel said:- "In the
current economic climate any price increase is difficult; this is
why we've tried to make it easier for people by not introducing the
toll rise for Fast Tag users. I would urge anyone who makes
regular journeys through the tunnels to get a Fast Tag and save
themselves both time and money."
With effect from 00:01 hours Monday, 1 April 2013 toll rates per
journey through the Mersey Tunnels will be as follows:
|
Vehicle Toll Class |
Cash Payments |
Fast Tag |
|
1 |
£1.60 |
£1.30 |
|
2 |
£3.20 |
£2.60 |
|
3 |
£4.80 |
£3.90 |
|
4 |
£6.40 |
£5.20 |
£1m Fund Up for
Grabs for North West Social Enterprise
THE Key Fund, Britain's
largest regional investor in the social economy market, has
earmarked a £1m fund for social enterprises in the North West.
Tailored loans of up to £150,000 are open to new and existing social
enterprise activities across the region.
The North West Fund can be used to support revenue or capital costs,
including bridging facilities, capital purchases, cashflow,
refurbishment costs, running costs, set-up costs and wages.
The Key Fund, which has been established in Yorkshire and the Humber
for over 10 years recently expanded into the North West.
Roy White, Lead Investment Officer for the North West, said:-
"We're keen to invest the £1m before the end of 2013. Social
enterprise is a growing sector and increasingly crucial, developing
and regenerating areas, benefiting the communities they serve."
Key Fund has given loans, grants and equity investments to start up
social entrepreneurs totalling over £28 million in the last ten
years in Yorkshire. It is in itself a social enterprise that acts as
a 'moral lender' helping those turned down finance from mainstream
lenders.
Mr White added:- "We invest in all sorts of things but we are
willing to be adventurous. If you're confident in an enterprise that
is financially sustainable and benefiting the community it serves,
we want to hear from you."
To apply or view case studies of successful enterprises, go to the
website:-
thekeyfund.co.uk.
Primary Care - Access Denied
NATIONAL,
independent health and social care charity, The Patients
Association, has revealed the findings of its new research
into Primary Care Services. 79% of people wouldn't feel safe relying
on NHS out-of-hours services in a medical emergency according to
study by The Patients Association.
The report 'Primary Care: Access Denied' uncovers new
evidence that; 61% of people have to wait longer than 48 hours to
book an appointment with their GP and 57% said the process was
either 'very difficult' or 'could have been
easier'.
These findings, compiled from a survey of patients and the public,
also found 38% of people have had to take at least a day off from
work to attend an appointment with their GP.
In the last year there has been a huge rise in the number of calls
to The Patients Association's Helpline about primary care, and in
particular GP services. Patients are telling the charity's Helpline
that they face day-to-day challenges in accessing local community
based healthcare, and a lack of confidence and understanding about
when and where to seek help when their GP practice is closed.
The Patients Association's 'calls to action' for primary care
are:
NHS Commissioning Board should review emergency care across sectors,
not just at A&E departments but at primary care level, to reduce
costly admissions and keep care local.
The Government, the NHS and GPs need to work together to expand
choice and access to primary care services by addressing barriers to
appointments both during and outside office hours. Individuals
should have the right to choose any GP surgery based on their needs,
not restrictive geographical boundaries.
CCG's should lead in delivering better local awareness campaigns to
help improve patients understanding of when to use the range of
services available, such as:- Urgent Care Clinics, walk-in centres,
NHS 111 and NHS Direct.
Katherine Murphy, chief executive of The Patients Association,
said:- "As many as 9 out of 10 public interactions with the
health and social care system are through primary care, including GP
services, so it is essential we make sure access is fair to all.
What our survey shows is that public confidence in out-of-hours
services is worryingly low and that is not always as easy as it
should be to get an appointment with a GP. The majority of
people are forced to take time off work simply to have a check-up
and almost two thirds have to wait longer than 48 hours for an
appointment. We need an NHS in every community that operates
effectively, safely and compassionately during and outside office
hours. Keeping people out of hospital and living independent,
healthier lifestyles means delivering more integrated and accessible
community based care. Our calls to action set out clear steps
towards this vision."
This year, The Patients Association celebrates its 50th year of
listening to patients and speaking up for positive change. The
Patients Association exists through the support of its members and
through charitable donations and for anyone concerned about patient
care services its helpline is:- 0845 608 4455.
2 men arrested on suspicion of a
possession of a firearm and theft
ON Wednesday, 20 March 2013, Merseyside Police
confirmed that they had arrested 2 males from Netherton on suspicion
of a possession of a Section 1 Firearm and theft. The arrests came
by the Matrix Team was part of the response to recent firearms
activity in the Sefton area. The 18 year old and the 21 year old
have also been arrested on suspicion of possession of with intent to
supply controlled drugs; have both been released on Police bail
pending further enquiries. Merseyside Police Detectives are also
appealing to the public for information about the whereabouts of a
09 plate white Volvo, that was stolen from Warrington on March 13
and recovered in Granams Croft, Netherton on 18 March 2013. Police
are keen to talk to anyone who may have seen the four door, S40
Sport D5, in between the dates to come forward. Anyone with
information are asked to contact the Matrix team on:- 0151 777 5747,
or call Crimestoppers on:- 0800 555 111. |
