Who is this mysterious super hero helping R Charity?

STAFF at the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust will 'drop from the top' of the Royal to raise money for R Charity and are encouraging as many people as possible to join them in becoming 'hospital heroes'.

Directors, consultants, nurses and other staff from across the Trust will take on Liverpool's biggest abseil and drop 200ft down the side of the Royal and those taking part will be joined by an enigmatic superhero whose name will be revealed soon...

The abseil is part of R Charity's New Royal Appeal to raise £10 million for facilities in the new Royal, expected to be completed in 2017. The £10 million fund will allow for some of the most up to date and innovative treatments and equipment to be used in the new hospital, giving patients from Merseyside access to some of the best care available in the UK.

Money raised will go towards improving a number of services in the new Royal including new equipment to help in the detection and treatment of breast cancer and specialist equipment to help treat and rehabilitate patients receiving treatment following a stroke.

Funds will also go towards a family area for relatives visiting patients in Critical Care, imaging equipment to help with early diagnosis of conditions such as dementia and heart disease and towards improving the environment for patients and visitors with gardens and artwork.

One group of six daring staff members, who are part of breast cancer services in the Trust, are taking on the abseil to help raise money for the treatment of breast cancer patients in the new Royal.

Geraldine Mitchell, consultant breast surgeon and one of the fundraisers taking part in the abseil said:- "We thought we'd all give it a go together, as a team, to make it a bit less daunting; but although no one has said, I think we're all a little scared! The abseil and R Charity will raise money to allow us to provide the best care possible in a new hospital that will be one of the best in the country. We want to help raise as much as possible to make sure we can give the people of Liverpool a hospital they can be proud of."

Another member of staff going over the top is medical director, Dr Peter Williams. He said:- "I'm trying to encourage as many people as possible to sign up. We want the new Royal to be known as the best hospital in the UK, but we can only do this by providing the best equipment to our staff the highest quality of facilities for our patients."

People have until Saturday 12 June to sign up to the abseil and raise at least £65 sponsorship. No experience is needed and registration costs just £30, which includes support from the R Charity team to help raise as much money as possible. For more information and to sign up email Angela at:- fundraising@rlbuht.nhs.uk.

Witness appeal after bike stolen from Hillside Station, Southport

DO you recognise this man? The British Transport Police (BTP) are appealing for information after a bike was stolen from Hillside station. Officers believe the man in the image could have information about the theft which took place on Sunday, 19 April 2015, at around 5pm. Investigating officer PC Jane McGee said:- "A man used bolt cutters to cut through the chain that was securing a racer style bicycle fastened to a bike rack in the booking office area. The man then cycled to Birkdale on the bike where he boarded a train." Officers urge the man in the picture or anyone who recognises him to come forward to assist with their enquiries. Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on:- 0800 40 50 40, or text:- 61016, quoting reference:- PSUB/B13 of 14/05/2015. Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on:- 0800 555 111.

 Police and Crime Commissioner extends Chief Constable's contract

THE Police and Crime Commissioner has extended the contract of Lancashire Police's Chief Constable until March 2017. Clive Grunshaw said he was delighted to offer Steve Finnigan an extended term as the head of the Constabulary after he delivered reductions in crime and led the force to an 'outstanding' grading from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary. It is the job of Police and Crime Commissioners to hold Chief Constables to account and to scrutinise performance. Mr Finnigan held an acting position from 2005 to 2007. His substantive five year fixed term appointment ran from 2007 to 2012. A 3 year extension from the Secretary of State with support of the Lancashire Police Authority was granted in 2012 and lasted until 2015. In April 2014, the Commissioner granted an extension of the Fixed Term Appointment (FTA) until March 2016. Mr Grunshaw said:- "I received a letter from the Chief Constable, who indicated he wished to stay in his role. He asked me to grant him another extension for one year, which I was happy to do. During his time as Chief Constable, Mr Finnigan has delivered reductions in crime, in the context of an overall reducing budget. He and his senior team possess the relevant experience and leadership needed to continue to deliver excellent services to the public of Lancashire. Mr Finnigan has led an organisation that has been graded as 'outstanding' in a recent HMIC assessment, with the force being one of only a small number to have achieved such an accolade. He has delivered all that has been asked of him and there is no stronger way for a Police and Crime Commissioner to demonstrate their support to their Chief Constable than to extend their FTA."

Mr Finnigan added:- "I am delighted that the Police and Crime Commissioner has agreed to extend my contract until March 2017. It has been an honour and a privilege to lead Lancashire Constabulary as Chief Constable over the last 10 years. As we continue to navigate our way through austerity I am determined that we will continue to deliver great Policing Services to the people of Lancashire. I do not, however, underestimate the scale of the challenges we face, but I know that our 6,000 staff, comprising Police Officers, Police Staff, members of the Special Constabulary, and volunteers, including Volunteer Police Cadets, will work tirelessly to help keep the good folk of Lancashire safe from harm, and to prevent and reduce crime."

Consumers in the North West of England could be in line for compensation after FSCS declares 4 firms in default

THE Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) could help consumers in Cheshire and Manchester that have lost money as a result of their dealings with any of the 4 failed financial firms that it has recently declared in default.  FSCS is the UK's statutory compensation scheme for customers of regulated financial services firms. A declaration of default means FSCS is satisfied a firm is unable to pay claims for compensation made against it. That opens the way for customers of that firm to make a claim for compensation.  The Scheme is already paying compensation in respect of the firms. Mark Oakes, Head of Communications for FSCS says:- "FSCS protects consumers around the UK when authorised financial services firms cease trading. It protects your deposits, investments, home finance and insurance, and it's free for consumers to use. Our message to anyone who believes that they may be owed money as a result of their dealings with any of these firms is please get in touch, as we may be able to help you."   Since its inception, FSCS has come to the aid more than 4.5m people, paying out more than £26bn in compensation.  If you wish to make a claim with FSCS, contact our Customer Services Team on:- 0800 678 1100 or 020 7741 4100 or by email at:- enquiries@fscs.org.uk. Further information about FSCS is available on its website at:- fscs.org.uk.