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THE NORTH WEST AIR AMBULANCE'S SAFETY PLEA TO BIKERS
THE North West Air Ambulance (NWAA) has launched an initiative to safeguard bikers on the region's roads.
When heading out on a ride, with the lack of space available on a bike and in clothing, riders are often reluctant to take out more than a bank note to cover their fuel and refreshments. For this reason, when accidents do occur, problems often arise when trying to identify a casualty or locate next of kin due to a lack of personal effects.
The NWAA has produced 'Biker Cards' specifically for situations such as this, to ensure bikers have the relevant details required for identification in the event of an accident. The NWAA hope the introduction of these cards will rectify the situation.
Lynda Brislin, charity chief executive of the NWAA comments:- "We often attend incidents where the patient may be critically ill and unconscious. In these situations, it is extremely important that their next of kin be contacted as quickly as possible and with no form of identification, often the only clue is the vehicle registration number. Using this to track down relatives takes time, and time is something we don't always have a lot of."
The biker cards come in a standard credit card size, with spaces for the cardholder to include their name, a contact number, any illnesses or allergies they have and any medication they may be taking.
Lynda continues:- "These are all factors which can affect the time it takes to treat a patient, and in the event of serious accidents or illness it is the speed with which medical care can be delivered that is crucial. It is recognised that by receiving treatment at the scene and arriving at the hospital within the "Golden Hour", the patient's chances of survival and recovery are dramatically improved. These cards will go towards helping ourselves and other emergency services proceed to deliver care much quicker in serious circumstances."
North West Air Ambulance Biker Cards are free and can be requested by calling the NWAA on 0151 527 2511.
During the first five months of 2005, 47% of incidents attended by the NWAA were road traffic collisions. The NWAA is a registered charity and receives no mainstream funding. Costing £1 million a year to maintain, the charity relies solely on the generosity of businesses and the people of the North West to keep the vital service running seven days a week, 365 days a year.
The service covers Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, and Merseyside, an area of 5,500 square miles with a residential population of seven million people. The NWAA responds to all major motorway incidents, all serious accidents including motor cycling, serious road accidents, sporting incidents such as horse riding and rugby, and incidents in areas that have poor and restricted road access including golf courses, fells, woods or beaches. On average the NWAA is called out four times a day, rising up to ten in the summer.
Rt Hon Jane Kennedy MP gets breathless for the British Lung Foundation
LIVERPOOL Wavertree MP and Minister of State for Health, Jane Kennedy, is supporting the British Lung Foundation's 20th birthday campaign by getting breathless on an exercise bike at the House of Commons during a lung health awareness day. The 'Get Breathless!' campaign encourages everyone of all ages and abilities to get breathless in aid of the British Lung Foundation, while thinking about their own lung health.
The British Lung Foundation is the only UK charity working to help people with all 43 lung diseases. It provides information and support to patients and their families, funds world-class medical research to find solutions to lung disease and campaigns for improved treatments and services.
Ms Kennedy said:- "I am delighted to be 'getting breathless' to support the British Lung Foundation in its 20th birthday year. One person in every seven in the UK is affected by a lung disease and has to live with breathlessness all the time, it is vital that people look after their lungs and taking part in this campaign is a great way to start!"
Dame Helena Shovelton, Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation said:-
"We are thrilled that Jane Kennedy MP is taking part in the Get Breathless! campaign. The 8 million plus people in the UK living with a lung condition will know how hard it is to do day to day tasks when you are fighting for breath, by supporting our campaign Ms Kennedy was able to find out just what that is like."
Anyone who wants more information about the British Lung Foundation, Breathe Easy or Get Breathless! Should visit www.lunguk.org or call the BLF Helpline on 08458 50 20 20.
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Medalomania sweeps Liverpool with one month to go
AMAZING true-life stories of people from Liverpool who selflessly give their time to help others are being revealed as England goes medal-mad for the Year of the Volunteer. 2005 medals will be awarded to super-volunteers and with one month to go before the closing deadline, there is still time to nominate someone who epitomises community spirit and good-will by volunteering.
"This is a great chance for the country to recognise the amazing, inspirational and vital work done by volunteers. Everyone must know a volunteer - simply a person who does something for nothing to benefit others - and anyone can nominate someone for a medal. Don't miss this chance to do something we don't do enough, say thank you to volunteers." said CSV's Head of Campaigns Elizabeth Salter.
Among those already nominated for a medal include:-
John McGrath from Liverpool. Described as a 'wrong 'un' turned good, John by his own admission has had a troubled past involving drug abuse and spells in prison. He now volunteers regularly for the charity Toc H, often travelling halfway across the country to assist on projects.
Keith Osting, from Wirral, who has volunteered at a children's hospice for three years in spite of having cancer himself. He raises money by selling raffle tickets in all weather, or by donning fancy dress, and has been praised for his innovation, commitment, impact and inspiration.
Nominations forms can be accessed online at www.yearofthevolunteer.org until Monday 18 July, after which an award selection panel will shortlist 2,005 volunteers to receive the Year of the Volunteer medal. Alternatively, nomination forms can be requested from CSV on 020 7812 0034. Volunteers can be nominated in five different categories; Commitment, Impact, Inspiration, Innovation and Partnership.
Lords Lieutenants and Lord Mayors in a series of regional ceremonies to be held this autumn will award the shortlisted volunteers their medals, produced by the Royal Mint. Medal winners who make particularly outstanding examples of volunteering will be invited to a national awards ceremony, to be held in early 2006 at an exclusive location in London.
Year of the Volunteer 2005 is owned by volunteers, led by a partnership between Community Service Volunteers (CSV) and the Volunteering England Consortium, and supported by the Home Office.
THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CHAMPIONS' BOOTS UP FOR GRABS IN CHARITY AUCTION
FOLLOWING Liverpool FC's amazing victory in the recent Champions League final, disability charity Leonard Cheshire, are giving fans the chance to bid for a unique collection of the 'mighty-red's team pre-worn boots and gloves.
This once-in-a-lifetime auction features a signed football boot from nine of the players that faced AC Milan in Istanbul on 25 May. These boots have seen hours of training ground and match action. Dirty, scuffed and smelly, worn by the hero's themselves, exactly what the true fan is looking for.
Lead by captain-marvel Stephen Gerrard, each of the following Champions League winning team members have donated a signed boot for the auction hosted by Leonard Cheshire on eBay UK.
· Milan Baros
· Jamie Carragher
· Jerzy Dudek
· Steve Finnan
· Sami Hyypia
· Harry Kewell
· John Arne Riise
· Dietmar Hamman
In addition, the auction will include a signed boot from the rest of the squad including Igor
Biscan, Antonio Nunez and a glove from spot-kick-stopping hero, Jerzy
Dudek.
Leonard Cheshire has two services in Freshfield (Formby) and The Orchard on Woolton Road, Liverpool.
The auction started on eBay on Monday 20 June, for 10 days on www.ebay.co.uk under seller name:- 230505.
To find out more, visit www.tackleddisabilty.org
Mark Bishop, Head of Corporate Fundraising at Leonard Cheshire, comments:- "This collection of boots is totally unique and a must-have for any Liverpool FC fan. What's more, the highest bidder's cash will go towards supporting disabled people in Liverpool and around the world."
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