Southport chef
tackling Tough Mudder for North West Cancer Research
A Southport chef will be
attempting to complete a gruelling Tough Mudder challenge to raise
money for North West Cancer Research (NWCR).
This Sunday, 14 September 2014, Jason Meath, head chef at Hillside Golf
Club, will join thousands of fellow runners taking part in Tough Mudder North West in the grounds of Cholmondeley Estate in Malpas,
Cheshire.
The event will see Jason tackle a 10 mile obstacle course designed
by British Special Forces to test all around strength, stamina,
teamwork, and mental grit.
Jason, who was inspired to raise funds for North West Cancer
Research after a close friend was diagnosed with cancer, said:-
"I've been aware of the great work that NWCR has been doing
locally to help support our understanding of cancer for some time.
Everyone knows someone who has either battled, or is fighting cancer
and I think it's important that we do something to help raise money
to fund research that will directly benefit people in the North
West. This is going to be a really demanding and difficult test for
me but it's nothing in comparison to the challenges faced by so many
people who are living with cancer."
►
NWCR has recently announced £2m of funding towards research projects
into the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer.
► NWCR's network of volunteers cover, Merseyside, Cumbria, Lancashire,
Cheshire, North Shropshire and North and Mid Wales. Around 85p of
every pound raised by these committees is put into actual research
which equates to around £750,000 a year.
To support Jason, visit his Just Giving
Page.
Green Party
urges Government to tackle spiralling CO2 levels
THE Green Party has urged the
Coalition Government to commit to reducing carbon emissions
immediately following critical data from the World Meteorological
organisation (WMO) which shows that rising carbon dioxide levels
have pushed greenhouse gases to record highs in the atmosphere.
Worryingly, concentrations of carbon dioxide have increased at their
fastest rate for 30 years in 2013.
Green Party Leader, Natalie Bennett, said:- "These latest
figures should be a further wake-up call for David Cameron, that he
must be in New York later this month for climate talks called by the
UN Secretary General.
He'll be abandoning future generations, he'll be failing in his
basic duty to provide for Britain's future security, if he's not
there.
A global deal on greenhouse gas emissions is essential for all of
our futures. As I said in my Green Party conference speech last
week, there are no jobs on a dead planet and no life as we know it
on a 6-degree-warmed world." The Green Party has been vocal in condemning the British Government
for its plans to increase dependence on dangerous carbon dioxide
emitting fossil fuels through fracking.
Green Party Science and Technology Spokesperson, James Abbott said:-
"The exact scale of long impacts from climate change are
unknown. But we do know that the most significant areas for concern
include sea level rise, increases in ocean and air temperature,
ocean acidification, major regional changes such as in the Arctic,
as well as more extreme weather events worldwide.
The Green Party is the only party that both accepts the scientific
evidence on climate change and has the policies to make sure that
the UK plays its full role in tackling the problem, alongside a
concerted international effort to do so."
Tribute paid to Wayne Lowe
THE mother and step father
of Wayne Lowe have paid tribute to him after his body was found at a
house on Linaker Street, Southport, on Sunday, 7 September. Jillian
and Ken Atkins said:- "We are completely devastated at the
death of our much loved son Wayne. Wayne had such a big heart and
would do anything for anyone. He was a great father and adored his
son Lewis. His death is a tragedy. We miss him so much already. We
would like to thank Merseyside Police for their assistance and hard
work during this difficult time. At rest now Wayne, out of pain.
Love Mum and Kenno (step dad)." His was found by Merseyside
Police at about 7.45pm, on Sunday, 7 September 2014, after a woman
called Police to advise them that she had found the body of a man at
the address. A following post mortem examination concluded that the
cause of death was blunt force head and neck trauma. Mark Lowe, 31,
from Skelmersdale was arrested at the address on suspicion of murder
and was subsequently charged with this offence. He was then remanded
in custody and appeared at South Sefton Magistrates' Court on
Thursday, 11 September 2014.
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Merseyside
celebrates Social on 13 September 2014!
THIS Saturday, 13
September 2014, is the UK's first Social Saturday; a day to raise
awareness and boost the numbers of consumers buying from social
enterprises. Social enterprises are businesses that have a positive
impact on communities and the environment. The day also celebrates
the fact that the UK has the world's largest social enterprise
sector.
Research released by Social Enterprise UK and the Cabinet Office
shows that British adults are concerned about where and how they buy
products and services. In the North West, 43% of people think there
should be more socially responsible businesses to buy from.
In Liverpool Social Enterprise, The Brink, is holding a barbecue and
vintage fair with DJs on Social Saturday. The Brink is an alcohol
free café on Parr Street, which uses its profits to support those
who have suffered with addictions.
Affiliated to Action on Addiction, The Brink offers group treatments
and one to one counselling, all made possible by the profits from
sales in the café which has an extensive menu and lively events
programme.
The menu uses the best, locally sourced ingredients and has a huge
range of non-alcoholic drinks. The Brink works closely with local
artists, musicians and poets to put on a wide range of events. These
include guitar lessons, a free film club, family Sundays and a book
club.
David Barnicle, Events and Engagement Manager at The Brink, says:-
"The Brink is Liverpool's first dry bar, and a true social
enterprise, whereby profits from the café are used to benefit the
community, allowing us to offer counselling and help to those who
need it. This Saturday we are hosting a vintage fair with a
DJ. I will be manning the barbecue flipping burgers and everyone is
welcome to come along."
Belgravia House of Gifts (BHG) is another of the City's social
enterprises, selling luxury hampers and gourmet gifts using
ethically sourced ingredients, which are then packaged in the
community, offering business skills and creative therapy to socially
isolated women and providing them with a safe place to meet.
Bayo Jide, Founder of BHG, says:- "We think of our products as
the gift that keeps giving. We are a member of Social Enterprise UK
and work with 4Wings to help provide employment, skills building and
creativity sessions to isolated women; as well as using products in
our new gourmet gift boxes that are also from social enterprise
companies such as Ethical Edibles and The Tea People. We think
Social Enterprise is the way forward and are proud to support Social
Saturday."
The UK wide research for Social Saturday which surveyed 2,070
British adults, examined how consumers feel about the behaviour of
businesses. The results uncover that many British people have strong
views about buying from businesses known to be irresponsible:-
► 35% said they feel ashamed when buying from businesses they feel
are socially irresponsible; more women than men feel this way (40% vs 30%)
► 40% said they don't feel there are enough socially responsible
businesses to buy from in the UK
► 26% said that there is a stigma attached to buying from socially
irresponsible businesses
► 14% people aged 25 to 39 said they hide from friends that they buy
from socially irresponsible businesses
► 18% said they would be put off a romantic partner if he or she
regularly bought products or services from socially irresponsible
businesses
This shows that British people value businesses with a strong
ethical and community focus. The Government estimates that there are
now 180,000 social enterprises in the UK (15% of SMEs), contributing
billions to the economy and employing more than 2 million people.
Well known brands include The Big Issue, Jamie Oliver's Fifteen,
Better leisure centres, Pants to Poverty, Divine Chocolate and Belu
Water. All are businesses that reinvest profits into a social cause,
from employing and training people furthest from the job market, to
profits going to support charities.
This Social Saturday, 13 September 2014, will encourage the British public
to 'buy social' and social enterprises around the country are
opening their doors and hosting events There is also now a range of
ways that people can invest their money to further support social
enterprises. People can find out more and buy online at:-
socialsaturday.org.uk.
Brooks Newmark MP, Minister for Civil Society, said:- "A
staggering 82% of social enterprises reinvest their profits locally
and Social Saturday is an opportunity for people across the country
to explore the breadth of this vibrant and growing sector. There is
clearly a demand for people to buy social and there are now more
ways than ever for people to invest socially as well.".
Peter Holbrook, Chief Executive of Social Enterprise UK, said:-
"Every product and service you buy has a social or environmental
impact, so why not make it a good one? The UK's social enterprise
sector is growing fast because consumers care about how their
spending decisions affect the world they live in." |