|
Southport garden
bouncers needed for charity challenge
YOUNGSTERS from Southport
are being reminded to sign up to take part in a charity challenge
that aims to get 1 million people bouncing nationwide on the same
day.
Children from the town are being asked to take part in National Get
Britain Bouncing Day on 27 June 2013 to help raise funds for the Cystic
Fibrosis Trust.
Martin Schofield, Chief Executive Officer of Super Tramp, which is
sponsoring the safe trampolining campaign, explained:-
"National Get Britain Bouncing Day is an awareness day to promote
the benefits of bouncing. We need to get as many back garden
bouncers involved as possible if we are going to meet our goal of
getting one million bouncing.
All people need to do is get their parents to register by visiting
www.getbritainbouncing.org.uk and then have a bounce during the day
on Thursday, June 27. We are suggesting everyone who takes part
gives a £1 donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Even if you
don't have a garden trampoline at home you can still get involved,
people can bounce on a space hopper or pogo stick or even just jump
on the spot."
National Get Britain Bouncing Day takes place during the Cystic
Fibrosis Trust's fundraising and awareness week, Cystic Fibrosis
(CF) Week, which runs from 24 June 2013, until 30 June 2013.
This year CF Week is focused on the theme of transplant. Cystic
fibrosis damages the lungs and digestive system, when the lungs
become damaged often the only option for survival is a transplant.
Martin continued:- "Anyone taking part in National Get Britain
Bouncing Day will be helping the Cystic Fibrosis Trust to raise
awareness of the importance of improving processes for lung
transplants, giving people a better chance of life. Currently
every year a third of people with cystic fibrosis die waiting for a
transplant, the charity is committed to changing this to make sure
all those who are suitable for a lung transplant receive one."
Get Britain Bouncing is a campaign designed to promote the many
benefits of trampolining.
The initiative is supported by the national trampoline manufacturer,
supplier and retailer, Super Tramp, which is committed to helping
the nation enjoy bouncing safely. The company helped found the
organisation by bringing various bodies together and is sponsoring
it.
The Cystic Fibrosis Trust makes a daily difference to the lives of
those with cystic fibrosis and the people who care for them. Most
people don't understand what cystic fibrosis is, or what it does,
until someone close to them is affected by it. They soon discover
it's a life-shortening genetic condition; only half live to
celebrate their 40th birthday.
Since 1964, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust has supported excellence in
research and clinical care, as well as providing practical support
and advice to people and their families.
National Get Britain Bouncing Day takes place on Thursday, 27 June 2013.
For further information on how to get involved, please visit:-
getbritainbouncing.org.uk.
MEP stands up for e-cig users
A North West Lib Dem MEP
Chris Davies is standing up for e-cigarette users by fighting plans
hatched in the EU and Westminster that would sweep them from the
shelves. Davies is fighting proposals from Brussels that would
reduce the availability of e-cigarettes by proposing amendments to a
proposed law. He has also now written to the UK Medicines and
Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) asking them not to
regulate e-cigarettes as medicines; a more draconian proposal that
would reduce their availability. Davies said:- "In an ideal
world, no-one would be addicted to nicotine but we don't live in an
ideal world and e-cigarettes are a safer alternative to smoking.
I've been working with my fellow Lib Dem Rebecca Taylor MEP to get a
sensible EU approach to making sure that e-cigarettes are safe and
not marketed to children but also making sure they are at least as
available as tobacco. I'm shocked that the MHRA have now come up
with this proposal that would see tobacco on sale in supermarkets
but e-cigarettes potentially restricted. Hundreds of ex-smokers have
written to me to say how e-cigarettes have improved their lives and
got them away from tobacco. I'm sure the MHRA have good intentions
but the outcome of their over-regulation would be more people
smoking tobacco." |
 |
Stephen Twigg visits Monksdown
Primary School
SHADOW Secretary of State for Education
Stephen Twigg MP, paid a visit to Monksdown Primary School in
Liverpool on Friday 14 June, to see first-hand a workshop being
delivered as part of the NSPCC's new ChildLine Schools Service.
The ChildLine Schools Service aims to ensure that children have an
understanding of abuse in all its forms, including bullying, how to
protect themselves, and how to access help and sources of help,
including ChildLine.
Mr Twigg observed a ChildLine Schools Service workshop being
delivered by volunteers to a total of 30 children in year 6 at the
school in Norris Green, Merseyside.
Commenting on his visit, Mr Twigg said:- "I'm delighted to
attend Monksdown Primary School to hear first-hand about the work of
ChildLine in schools. Many children fail to recognise some of their
experiences as abusive and where they can go for help, but all
children have the right to be happy and safe, and this new service
plays such an important role in educating young people in our local
community, about how to protect and safeguard themselves against
abuse."
The schools service is provided free of charge and focuses on
primary school children, aged nine to 11 years old. It is led by
volunteers who deliver assemblies at local schools followed by an
interactive workshop a week later. The presentations and messages
delivered at schools have been developed alongside children,
parents, carers and teachers. They are sensitive, age appropriate
and engaging.
Mrs Stephanie Gough, Headteacher at Monksdown Primary School said:-
"We are delighted to welcome ChildLine and Mr Twigg into our
school today. The ChildLine Schools Service is a valuable service
that we are happy to have delivered in our school. Raising the
profile of this work with children helps to build their confidence,
resilience and to know what to do to protect themselves as well as
others"
Since the service began, 6500 children in 83 schools have received
the service across Merseyside, and by 2016 the charity aims to visit
every primary school in the UK at least every two years.
Tom Clift, ChildLine Schools Service manager for the North West
said:- "Research tells us that the majority of children who
contact ChildLine for advice, information and support are over 11
years old. However we know that the majority of children who are
subject to a child protection plan are under the age of 11. These
children are not connected so much with the outside world. In fact,
their world is quite small. So if abuse is happening to them at that
age, then it's very difficult for children to speak up. That's why
we want to educate children earlier and ensure they know how to keep
themselves safe or seek help if they need it."
The service is currently being rolled out across the UK and now
needs to recruit a national team of 4,000 volunteers to reach the
23,420 schools and over 1.8 million children in three years. The
service in the North West is looking for volunteers from the
Merseyside area to deliver the programme to all primary schools in
the City.
If you are interested in finding out about volunteering
opportunities with the ChildLine Schools service or if you are a
primary school interested in hosting an assembly and workshop,
please visit the NSPCC
website
or contact Helen O' Sullivan, ChildLine Schools Service area
coordinator on:- 07971 673 805 or email:
helen.osullivan@nspcc.org.uk.
|
