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.
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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 |