| Lifelong friends 
			take on the 3 peaks for North West Cancer Research 
			 2 friends from Southport 
			are attempting the Three Peaks challenge in Yorkshire to raise money 
			for North West Cancer Research incorporating Clatterbridge Cancer 
			Research (NWCR).
 Debbie Parkes and Penny Lane, both in their early 50s, will be 
			attempting the marathon 37.5km hike in June to raise as much money 
			as possible for much needed cancer research. The 2 will be climbing 
			the 3 peaks which are situated in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
 
 The peaks include Pen-y Ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside, which is 
			the highest mountain in Yorkshire at 736m high. The gruelling 
			challenge covers nearly 1,600m of ascent and decent and the 2 women 
			are committed to finish it.
 
 Debbie said:- "Penny and I wanted to do something that was 
			challenging to push ourselves and we're determined to complete it 
			for such a worthy cause. The mission to fund cancer research is 
			close to my heart as the disease has affected so many of my friends 
			and family, and the only way to fight it is to fund treatment 
			research."
 
 Debbie first became aware of the work NWCR does to fund cancer 
			research projects in the region through her friend Olive Cutts who 
			is the chair of the Southport committee. Founded in 1957, the 
			committee now has 18 volunteers, who many have become involved with 
			the charity after being personally affected by cancer.
 
 Debbie added:- "I've been promising Olive I'll do something to 
			raise money for NWCR for a while. We've known Olive for a long time, 
			my daughter even used to help her at fundraising fetes when she was 
			younger. I'm hoping to raise as much money as possible."
 
 Debbie and Penny have been sticking to a strict training routine 
			since January, walking for hours at a time culminating in a recent 
			10 hour trek to build up stamina and endurance.
 
 
  Penny said:- 
			"I'm enjoying the training and the challenge 
			provides focus for us both. Not only do we enjoy doing activities 
			like this, but we feel fitter for it. We've been meeting up and 
			training, going for long walks across the beach and Rivington Pike 
			to get used to the terrain. 
			We've all been affected by cancer, whether it's our friends, family 
			or ourselves. Debbie and I have been friends since we were children 
			and it's great I can support her and hopefully collect as many 
			donations as we can." 
 NWCR is the leading regional charity that raises money to achieve a 
			better understanding of cancer, and directly benefits people living 
			in the North West. The research charity recently joined forces with 
			the University of Liverpool and moved its headquarters to the iconic 
			former Roy Castle Centre in Liverpool City centre.
 
 A long established charity, NWCR prides itself on only backing the 
			very highest standard of research, ensuring the best value for all 
			donations. The charity's last round of research grants totalled 
			almost £1 million. NWCR also operates research institutes at 
			Lancaster University and the University of Bangor.
 
 Debbie and Penny will be heading to Yorkshire on the 21 June 2014 and to 
			sponsor them visit:- 
			
			
			JustGiving Debbie or 
			
			
			JustGiving Penny.
 |  | The Great 
			British Write Off - Poets Vs Writers! THE Great British Write Off 
			is an exciting competition for poets and writers, where one lucky 
			winner will win every penny in the prize fund, which increases every 
			time a new entry is received!
 Whether you are new to writing or have a huge portfolio of work, The 
			Great British Write Off is a fun, free opportunity to share your 
			work, get published and even win a prize. Simply pick one original 
			piece you've written, a poem, mini saga or a 250 word story or 
			novel extract and enter online, by email or post by Friday, 27 June 
			2014.
 
 Morgan Walton, Director said:- "We came up with The Great 
			British Write Off one winter's morning, during the TV season of 
			Great British... sewing, gardening, baking, making your own, but why 
			hadn't today's poets and writers had their own celebration? 
			We drew inspiration from staff suggestions on their literary idols 
			and wondered how would these famous poets and writers compete in the 
			21st Century, where the Internet, celebrity, adverts and gimmicks 
			seem to tell us actions speak louder than words, and so The Great 
			British Head-to-Head Challenges were born! 
			Today, we've released our first Poets vs Writers Challenge, #GBWO 
			judges Mark Grist and Mixy compete in The Word Association 
			Challenge..."
 
 The Great British Write Off has 4 further Poets vs Writers videos to 
			release over the next 2 weeks! Don't worry, you won't need a gimmick 
			for your work, we know great writing doesn't need one; all it needs 
			is an audience, and The Great British Write Off can certainly help 
			with that.
 
 For the current prize fund, to enter and much, much more visit:- 
			
			greatbritishwriteoff.co.uk 
			today!
 Don't let a late 
			kick off get you a booking in A&E 
			 DOCTORS and nurses are 
			warning against the risks of excessive drinking during the World Cup 
			which started on Thursday, 12 June 2014.
 Dr Alan Owens, A&E consultant and alcohol lead at Southport and 
			Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust, said:- "The more we drink the 
			more likely we'll be involved in an assault, domestic violence, 
			self harm or simply fall over and hurt ourselves.
			Any of these could mean a visit to A&E and late kick offs for 
			England's games, with more time for drinking, could make things 
			worse."
 
 Mandy Smith, who leads the alcohol liaison team at Southport 
			hospital, said we can all enjoy the World Cup safely and prevent 
			unnecessary trips to A&E by thinking about what and how we drink. 
			This includes:-
 
 ►   Avoiding drinking before leaving the house (preloading) 
			as it may be 
			cheaper to buy alcohol at the supermarket but preloading is 
			associated with an increase in overall consumption
 
 ►   Staying out of rounds; people in rounds drink more and faster than 
			if you are controlling your own intake
 
 ►   Alternating alcohol with a soft drink and tap water is free
 
 Dr Owens added:- "Lastly, if a friend is intoxicated, make 
			sure they get home safely and don't just leave them slumped at the 
			side of the road. They are a risk to themselves and others. They are 
			especially at increased risk of sexual assault."
 
 Anyone concerned about their alcohol consumption who would like 
			support should contact Sefton Treatment & Recovery Service (STARS) 
			on:- 01704 534759 or DISCOVER for West Lancashire residents on:- 01772 
			825492
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