Dead trees are being transformed into glittering works of art by Southport lighting experts

THE Southport firm IllumiDex UK Ltd is encouraging local residents and business owners to invite them to come and wrap lights around their trees, creating an impressive focal point all year round. IllumiDex UK Ltd has already transformed a number of dead trees in the area, including 1 in front of the Peaky Blinders bar in Churchtown and another outside a home on Shore Road, Ainsdale.  Illumidex UK Ltd Director Steve Clayton said:- "We would love to see more people invite us to wrap dead trees in their gardens with lighting as a feature instead of needing to have them removed. We think it turns a dead, use less tree that people would have to get rid of into something that looks really attractive. At 1 recent installation, in Ainsdale, the owner told us that if we hadn't wrapped the tree with lights, then she would have had to pay someone to take it away. Now it looks like a piece of art. It is beautiful. There are lots of people out there who may have dead trees in their gardens, and they are wondering what to do with them and whether they will have to get them chopped down. We can come round and make these trees look really pretty instead. By wrapping the trees with lights, they will then look good all year round."

Tesco Health Charity Partnership fundraiser in Southport to help lower the risk of cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes

LEADING charities have linked up with Tesco to launch a campaign that aims to raise much needed funds to help people in Southport lead healthier lives. Tesco stores across Southport are coming together to support the Tesco Health Charity Partnership and raise money for Cancer Research UK, the British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK from:- 13 September TO 26 September 2021. Tesco customers can make a donation by rounding up the amount they spend in stores to the nearest ₤1 at all self service checkouts. All funds raised will go directly to the 3 charities, which are part of the:- 'Helping you to live healthier' partnership and be split equally. The partnership aims to inspire, empower and support Tesco colleagues, customers and their families to make healthier food choices and live healthier lives. It is hoped that this will help people to make sustainable lifestyle changes that can help lower their risk of cancer, heart and circulatory diseases, and type 2 diabetes.

Oonagh Turnbull, Head of Health Campaigns, at Tesco, said:- "Cancer, heart and circulatory diseases and type 2 diabetes are 3 of the biggest health challenges of our time, touching the lives of millions of people every year. But without donations, the work of our charity partners to prevent the harm these conditions cause just can't continue. There is a need to build understanding of how to minimise certain risk factors; for example, by making healthier food choices, because this can make a big difference to your risk of these conditions in the future. With our partner charities, we aim to raise awareness and millions of pounds to help carry on saving and improving lives. From advances in prevention and early diagnosis to breakthroughs in research into cures and treatments, we need the help of people in Southport to raise vital funds that will help to reduce the risk of these life threatening conditions, now and in the future."

The fundraiser comes as the 3 charities have experienced a significant reduction in income, as fundraising events were cancelled, and retail stores closed during lockdown restrictions. Since restrictions have eased, the charities have faced a slow recovery with still a long way to go before income returns to Pre-Pandemic levels. Support from Tesco customers at this critical time will help each charity continue its vital work to save and improve lives. The partnership will also share trusted, health information and advice to empower Tesco customers to take small steps to help improve their health.

On behalf of the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK and Diabetes UK, Claire Sadler, Executive Director of Marketing, Fundraising and Engagement, at the British Heart Foundation, said:- "We're delighted to be teaming up with Tesco to raise funds for life saving research and the vital support our charities provide to millions of people. Nearly all of us are affected by heart and circulatory diseases, cancer or diabetes in some way. But by working with Tesco, our aim is to empower millions of people to make healthier choices that lower their risk of these conditions and improve their health. We want to say a big thank you to Tesco's colleagues and customers, in Southport, for helping us continue our vital work. With your support, we can keep up the pace of progress in tackling some of the UK's biggest health challenges."

Social Care Funding - It's Been a Long Time Coming

CARE England, the largest representative body for independent providers of adult social care, has welcomed the Prime Minister's commitment to sorting out social care. Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, says:- "We have been waiting for a very long time for any concrete plans on the long term sustainability of adult social care reform and as such we welcome the Prime Minister's announcement today. We want to go through the plans carefully and it is our hope that social care will be rewarded and recognised rather than playing second fiddle to the NHS. It is essential that money reaches the frontline."

Speaking in the House of Commons this afternoon the Prime Minister outlined Build Back Better, Our Plans for Health and Social Care. Martin Green continues:- "The sector needs help now especially after the many challenges that became even more acute during the Pandemic. We hope these plans will comprehensively address the issues across the whole adult social care sector, including younger adults with learning disabilities and autism. Recruitment and retention of workforce, our best resource, is the most urgent issue at present and it is vital that any long term plans can be brought into play alongside immediate measures. Care workers are everyday heroes and have highlighted their value throughout the Pandemic and need to be rewarded and recognised appropriately."