Olympian Sharron Davies champions Step out for Stroke in Southport

SHARRON Davies MBE, Olympic swimmer and TV presenter, is championing the Stroke Association's 2015 Step out for Stroke series. Sharron is encouraging stroke survivors, their families, friends and supporters in Southport to sign up to the sponsored walking event at The Dunes Leisure Centre on The Esplanade, on Wednesday, 20 May 2015.

Sharron said:- "Stroke has affected my family so I've seen first hand just how devastating its effects can be. Step out for Stroke celebrates the achievements of stroke survivors as they walk alongside their friends and family, all while helping to raise vital funds for the Stroke Association.  Each walk is wheelchair accessible and suitable for any level of walking ability. Participants can walk at their own pace, in their own time. Ultimately, Step out for Stroke celebrates the brave steps in a stroke survivor's recovery. Please join me and sign up for a Step out for Stroke event. Your support will help the Stroke Association to be there every step of the way for those whose lives have been touched by stroke."

Louise Lawless from the Stroke Association, added:- "In 2014 we met some truly inspirational people who were taking their first steps since their stroke, and others who challenged themselves to walk as far as they could.  Step out for Stroke is a fun walk that everyone can be part of, no matter what your age or fitness level. It's the perfect event to take part in alongside friends and family. Every step makes a difference, and we want Step out for Stroke 2015 to be our biggest year yet. Join us in Southport to help even more stroke survivors take their first steps on the road to recovery and together we can conquer stroke."

For more information on Step out for Stroke and to enter your nearest walk, visit:- Stroke.Org.UK/StepOut.

Eco Comics forced to censor Cerne Giant

AWAR winning publisher Eco Comics has agreed to reach a compromise on the controversy surrounding the nudity of the Cerne Giant, who stars in its new series, Englishman.  Many digital outlets have outright refused to carry the paperless publisher's latest title due to the famously erect English landmark who appears in the comic book as an actual character.

The publisher said:- "We are releasing a variant edition of Englishman #1 in which the Cerne Giant's... rather renowned region... will be fully concealed. It seems a sad indictment of the times when a legendary landmark like the Cerne Giant; which any man, woman or child can visit any day of the week; must be covered up in a comic book. So much for freedom of art and expression.  But, through pressure, our hand has been forced. Outlets, particularly in the US, refuse any form of nudity in comic books. It seems that powerful conservative groups scare them far more than any super villain."

The publisher has offered no further comment on how the notorious chalk figure of Dorset, who will play a pivotal role in the Englishman series, will appear in future issues. To date, only one digital outlet has released the uncensored version of Englishman #1.

The amended artwork showing the censored Cerne Giant is available to view on the publisher's blog:- blog.mohawkmedia.co.uk.

The first issue of Englishman, downloadable for free, has been no stranger to controversy as it attempts to chart the course of the country in a not-too distant future in which extremism, surveillance, over population, pollution, house building and removal of wilderness and greenbelt have continued unabated.

City up for 3 awards at Local Government 'Oscars'

LIVERPOOL City Council has been shortlisted in three categories at the Local Government 'Oscars' for its bike hire scheme, the Giants event and the work of its legal services team.  The 2015 MJ (Municipal Journal) Achievement Awards showcase innovation and excellence in Council services.  Liverpool is in the running for prizes related to the hugely successful City Bike scheme, the return of the Giants and the role of its legal services team in providing commercial advice on regeneration schemes.

The categories and nominations are:-

► Excellence in Community Engagement – The Culture Liverpool team for their work involving local people in the five day Memories of August 1914 'Giants' event. It attracted one million people and generated £46 million of economic benefits. The engagement work included recruiting local people to perform in a PALs parade and getting older people's groups to knit a giant blanket for the Grandmother.

► Effective Transport and Infrastructure Delivery – The Regeneration team for the CityBike scheme, which is seeing 100 cycle stations installed in the largest scheme of its type outside London. The judges were impressed by the Council's approach to integrated sustainable transport, and its engagement with local people and stakeholders during its development and implementation.

► Legal Services – The Legal Services team for their work supporting the 'Invest to Earn' philosophy which has seen the council becoming more commercial in its approach to regeneration projects, investing in schemes which deliver a return that can be used to subsidise Council services.

Liverpool City Council Chief Executive, Ged Fitzgerald, said:- "This is fantastic recognition for our staff and I am delighted for the three shortlisted teams. We are continuing to find ways of innovating and moving the City forward despite the financial challenges that we face. Competition for these awards is extremely tough and to be shortlisted in three categories is a major achievement in itself."

Michael Burton, Editorial Director of the MJ Achievement Awards, said:- "As always the dedication of local authority teams to their services and their communities has been inspiring. Despite the background of spending cuts, the entries show how staff and managers constantly innovate."

The winners will be announced on 18 June 2015.  More information is available online.

Cancer Wellbeing Centre is 'cherry on top' for cancer patient Margie

LONG term cancer patient Margie Shields will open the doors to a new wellbeing Centre for cancer patients, after receiving over a decade of treatment for cancer.  Having spent over 12 years visiting the Linda McCartney Centre, Margie Shields has since paid an extra special visit on Thursday, 30 April  2015, to officially open the Cancer Wellbeing Centre, at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

The Cancer Wellbeing Centre  is a place for patients and carers to take some time out to relax during what can be a long and stressful journey through their cancer treatment. The Centre will provide complementary therapies to patients and those closest to them during their treatment, including a range of massages and other relaxation treatments.

Volunteer therapists donate their time in order to provide treatments and the Centre is run by a Macmillan Cancer Volunteer Coordinator based in the Trust. The Cancer Wellbeing Centre  relies solely on donations and fundraising activities to sustain and improve their services.

Margie's relationship with the Linda McCartney Centre began in 2002 when she received the news she had breast cancer and made the decision, along with the help of surgeons, to undergo a double mastectomy.

Following a successful operation Margie was given more devastating news two years later when she was diagnosed with bone cancer and has been visiting the Linda McCartney Centre for regular treatment ever since.

As a long standing patient, Margie knows the emotional effects cancer can have on people and that sometimes, a bit of relaxation goes a long way to help them feel better in themselves. Margie commented:- "I once had reflexology at a Marie Curie Centre and that half an hour to myself made me feel so relaxed. Sometimes you can wait around a couple of hours for things like test results, so to have the Cancer Wellbeing Centre as a place to unwind will be a huge benefit to patients and their carers. Cancer can take its toll not only on the person receiving treatment, but their family and carers as well. The fact that carers and family members can also receive treatments from the Centre will help everyone involved, as seeing a loved one go through cancer can be just as stressful."

The Cancer Wellbeing Centre will provide complementary therapies to patients who have been diagnosed with cancer in the Trust or are receiving treatment for cancer at the Linda McCartney Centre . Patients can receive up to 6 free treatments from qualified therapists who donate their own time to delivering therapies to patients.

Therapies available include aromatherapy, massage, Indian head massage, reflexology, Reiki and relaxation therapy, some of which Margie is keen to find out more about.  "I tried out Reiki treatment in the Centre and it was so relaxing I fell asleep! I felt so chilled afterwards and the rooms provide such a calm environment. I felt like I was on cloud 9."

The Centre will raise funds on Thursday, 30 April 2015, by showcasing some of the amazing work they do for patients. Therapists will be on hand to provide a range of treatments for people to sample. Harvey Nichols staff will also be offering beauty treatments on the day.

Speaking about opening in the Centre  , Margie has mixed emotions. She said:- "I'm really nervous; I don't want to go and say the wrong thing! But I feel so humbled and proud that they've asked me to do it. I think the work the therapists do is incredible and even more amazing that they do it through the kindness of their own hearts. It's going to be amazing for cancer patients to have this opportunity. You need that special something to make you feel better whilst going through treatment. Being treated at the Linda McCartney Centre is like baking a cake. You have concerns about going in, whether everything will turn out ok and hopefully, it does turn out ok. But now the Cancer Wellbeing Centre is there, we have our cherry on top."

Man arrested at Manchester Airport as part of operation targeting serious and organised crime

MERSEYSIDE Police have confirmed that a further man has been arrested following an operation to crackdown on serious and organised crime across Merseyside. This morning, working with officers from Greater Manchester Police, a 25 year old man, from Old Swan, was arrested at Manchester Airport as he was returning to the United Kingdom from Mexico. "He was taken to a Police Station in Manchester where he was then questioned by detectives from Merseyside on suspicion of money laundering and the supply of Class A and Class B drugs. A search of a house is also now being carried out.  This latest arrest follows a 2 phase operation, which saw a total of 32 people arrested in dawn raids across Merseyside, on Thursday, 16 and Thursday, 23 April 2015. Merseyside Police have said that subsequently 15 of those people have been charged and remanded in custody." said Merseyside Police.

Detective Superintendent Chris Green said:- "This operation has seen more than 300kg of cannabis resin recovered, along with dozens of kilos of Class A drugs, bladed weapons and firearms. This arrest was carried out with help from officers in Greater Manchester and I hope it shows that there is no hiding place for anyone we suspect may be involved in serious and organised criminality. The overall operation was put in place to respond to people's concerns about drug dealing in their areas and we are determined to show them that we will be relentless in our pursuit of all those involved in serious and organised crime. This action is about making life better and safer for communities across Merseyside. If you have any information about drugs, or any other crime, in your area please let us know and we will take positive action."

Calls can be made to MSOC officers on:- 0800 230 0600 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111.