Save money by saddling up in Merseyside this summer

WE are all well aware that fuel prices have hit a record high recently, and they are accelerating fast. When making daily journeys to work, the rising cost of fuel often puts a strain on people’s pockets, as well as increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

With summer finally here, organisers of the Liverpool-Chester-Liverpool Bike Ride are encouraging the people of Merseyside to saddle up this summer and make more journeys using their bikes.  Whether it’s a short trip to the shops, a longer commute to work or a leisurely weekend ride with family or friends, cycling is a great way to stay in shape, helps to combat serious illness and can even give you the fitness levels of someone 10 years younger.

Mark Jones, Head of Liverpool Active City at Liverpool PCT said:- “Cycling to work is not only better for the environment but it is a great way to stay fit and healthy. You could start by setting yourself the goal of cycling to work once or twice a week – and progress from there. This is an ideal way to build regular exercise into your weekly routine.”

As well as improving your health and fitness levels, helping you to beat the rush-hour traffic and saving you money, getting around by bike helps to cut greenhouse gas emissions, making it kinder to the environment.

Ian Tordoff of Cheshire West and Chester Sports Development said:- “As well as being a great way of keeping fit and healthy, cycling is good for the planet, helping to reduce carbon emissions which contribute to global warming. By reducing the volume of road traffic, cycling cuts air and noise pollution and in turn helps to protect the environment.

Cycle Chester as a Cycle Demonstration Town is also aiming to improve access to the City centre and this events helps to raise the profile of good work in Chester for commuters. Try this cost calculator to see just how much money, and CO2 emissions, you could save by using the car less.”

Liverpool-Chester-Liverpool Bike Ride, organised by Pennine events is an ideal stepping stone into cycling with a route to suit all ages and abilities. This year, it will feature a challenge ride of 54 miles, a community ride of 30 miles, a family ride of 25 miles and a sportive route of around 90 miles.

To sign up, just log on to:- pennineevents.co.uk to enter online, or to download an entry form for your friends, family and colleagues.

RNLI seeks lifesavers for Sefton’s coast

THE Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is offering people in the north west another opportunity to qualify and works as lifesavers on Sefton’s beaches this summer.

A recent recruitment drive for the new RNLI lifeguard service currently operating on Crosby, Southport and Ainsdale beaches has been so successful the charity is now running another National Beach Lifeguard Qualification course (NBLQ), which is internationally accredited.

RNLI Deputy Divisional Lifeguard Manager, Rory Smith, said he has been impressed by the standard of applicants so far.  "This is the first year the RNLI has provided the lifeguard service on Sefton’s beaches and recruitment for the main summer season, which begins on Saturday, May 29, has been very strong.   We have also been recruiting lifeguards to fill posts during the peak summer season, which lasts for 6 weeks from July, and have now organised another NBLQ course to ensure that everyone who has expressed an interest in working as a beach lifeguard gains the initial qualification they need to do so.  This has created spare capacity on the course and so we are inviting anyone who hasn’t yet applied, to contact us and sign up."

The NBLQ course combines practical and theory sessions to cover beach safety operating procedures, hazard awareness, accident prevention and first aid including CPR. Pool and open water rescue skills, including sea rescues using equipment such as rescue boards and rescue tubes are also carried out.

Successful candidates can then apply to the RNLI for employment as a seasonal beach lifeguard and once recruited, will undergo the RNLI’s specially designed induction programme, which ensures all of the lifeguards undergo the same high-quality, standardised training.

Rory said:- "RNLI lifeguards operating on Sefton’s beaches have already responded to a number of incidents since taking over the service at Easter weekend and are committed to ensuring that visitors to Sefton’s coast have an enjoyable and safe summer.  This is a fantastic opportunity for anybody who wants a physically and mentally challenging job, helping the charity to save lives from the beach to the open sea during the summer."

The NBLQ course runs for 5 days from Monday, 7 June 2010, at Ainsdale beach. Candidates are required to pay £25 for the independently verified qualification. To sign up or for more information, contact Sefton RNLI Area Lifeguard Supervisor, Pete Rooney at email or telephone:- 07896 998961.