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Fashion store fundraisers
help disabled 8 year old get specialist help
FABULOUS fundraisers at the River
Island fashion store in Chapel Street, Southport, have helped a local disabled
girl get the specialist equipment she needs to keep her safe.
A specialist travel harness is now making a world of difference to car journeys
for the family of 8 year old Lucy Taylor, from Walton.
Lucy has Autistic Spectrum Disorder and learning disabilities; and no awareness
of danger. She has a booster seat for journeys, but she could undo her safety
harness and bounce around the car.
Dad Colin Taylor said:- "Whenever we were driving we would find her arms
around our shoulders so an adult would always have to sit in the back of the car
with her. On one occasion we were driving down the Motorway to Blackpool, to see
the lights when she got out of her seat and the other people in the car couldn't
persuade her to get back in. There was merry hell going on behind me and I just
couldn't risk that happening again.
Lucy's support worker told us about specialist secure harnesses, and we were
advised to contact Newlife the Charity for Disabled Children for help with
funding."
Newlife is the UK's largest charity provider of specialist equipment for
children with disabilities and terminal illness; and with funding support from
the Chapel Street River Island store it delivered the £545 harness just in time
for the recent school holidays.
Colin added:- "It's been a huge help. Lucy is happy wearing the harness
and, because she can't get out of it, everyone's safety is improved. It's even
possible now for 1 person to take her out in the car on their own."
River Island's Chapel Street store manager Natalie Dyer said:- "The staff
really got behind the fundraising activities for Newlife; it shows the
camaraderie and work ethic at the store. We organised cake sales and staff
donated a prize for a 'guess the number of sweets in the jar' competition for
customers; we also dressed up and had a bucket collection. It was really lovely
and it has been a real pleasure raising the funds for Newlife, a charity which
River Island has been associated with for many years. And it's a real boost to
the staff to know how their efforts are directly benefitting a local disabled
child."
Newlife provided the harness through its Equipment Grants service. The charity
also works with families to offer Emergency Equipment Loans, often within 72
hours of an application being made, a Play Therapy Pod service for those with
complex needs and Comfort Capsules so families of terminally ill children can
make memories together.
Newlife has supported 608 disabled and terminally ill children across
Merseyside, with equipment totalling £556,885. If you would like to find out
more about how the charity helps local families to go
online.
Newlife guarantees that 100% of monies donated or fundraised in Merseyside will
be used to specifically help local children with disabilities and terminal
illness.
Incident in Vincent Road, in
Litherland
MERSEYSIDE Police, on Tuesday, 24
January 2017, were called to a house in Vincent Road, in Litherland, at 2.30pm,
following reports that a woman in her 40's had suffered stab wounds. We are told
that the woman was then been taken to hospital where her condition was described
as "serious, but stable." As a result of enquiries, Officers then
attended a 2nd house, also on Vincent Road. Upon entry to the property, Officers
are said to have found the body of a male, who is believed to have been in his
40's. We are told that his death is not being treated as suspicious. At this
stage both incidents are thought to be linked and nobody else is being sought in
connection with the incident at this time. |
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Brake welcomes Police
crackdown on drivers using mobiles
A Police campaign to catch drivers who
break the law by using mobiles behind the wheel has been welcomed by road safety
charity, Brake.
The clampdown comes ahead of plans, announced in 2016, by the UK's Department of
Transport, to double the punishment for using a mobile phone while driving.
The charity says the use of mobiles is a growing menace, especially as devices
become more sophisticated. A recent survey by Brake and Direct Line revealed
around ½ of drivers aged between 25 and 34 are taking huge risks by:- texting,
using apps or going online on their mobiles when they are behind the wheel.
55% of 25 to 34 year old drivers questioned admitted they had sent or read a
text message on their mobile, while behind the wheel of their car, in 2016.
Despite it being illegal to use a hand held mobile phone at all while driving,
42% revealed they send or read messages, at least once a week.
1 in 5 young drivers (18 to 24) confirmed they regularly text and/or instant
message when they are behind the wheel.
49% of drivers aged 25 to 34 admitted they sometimes go online or use apps (other
than Sat-Nav apps) while driving. Almost a ⅓ of drivers in that age group
said they do that several times a week at least.
Driving is a highly unpredictable and risky activity, so it requires full
concentration at all times. Drivers who divide their attention between their
phone and the road are significantly increasing their risk of causing a
devastating crash.
Reading and writing messages; whether texting, emailing or using apps or social
networks; while driving is even more distracting than talking on a phone, as it
takes your mind, hands and eyes off the road. Texting drivers' reaction times
are 35% slower and they also have poor lane control. 1 large scale study found
texting drivers were 23 times more likely to crash than a driver paying full
attention.
Reaching for a mobile phone can be an irresistible temptation for some, despite
knowledge of the risks. In the UK, experts have warned of increasing levels of
smartphone addiction, by users who are unable to go without checking their phone
for short periods or through the night.
A study of in vehicle video footage estimated that 22% of crashes could be
caused, at least in part, by driver distraction. It also showed that drivers who
perform a secondary task at the wheel are 2 to 3 times more likely to
crash.
Many drivers allow themselves to be distracted because they believe they are in
control, and do not believe distraction poses a significant risk. However,
research shows drivers are not able to correctly estimate how distracted they
are and 98% are not able to divide their attention without a significant
deterioration in driving performance.
Gary Rae, campaigns director for Brake, said:- "We welcome this crackdown
by Police forces. The law needs to be much tougher with this type of offence,
which appears to be growing in numbers. Younger drivers, especially those aged
between 25 and 34, simply aren't getting the message about the dangers of using
a mobile phone while driving. Doing any other complex task while driving hugely
increases your chance of crashing. These drivers are putting their own and other
people's lives in grave danger by taking this risk. If a phone has to be used as
a Sat-Nav, it must be programmed before setting off on the journey and properly
secured. There is no other acceptable way to use a phone while driving."
A statement by Chief Constable Andy Cooke
following the death of Merseyside Police, PC Paul Briggs
MERSEYSIDE Police have confirmed that
PC Paul Briggs sadly passed away on Saturday, 21 January 2017. Chief Constable
Andy Cooke, said:- "On behalf of PC Briggs' colleagues and friends at
Merseyside Police I want to let his family know that we are all thinking of them
at this tragic time. I have met with Paul's wife Lindsey and the last 16 months
have been devastating for her and Paul's family, but they bravely. fought for
the Paul's right to die. Paul was a young man and his death is a tragedy, but I
know that Lindsey, his daughter Ella, and his family, will find some comfort in
knowing that Paul is now at peace and his wishes have been honoured. Paul joined
Merseyside Police in 2004, following in his father's footsteps by choosing a
career in policing after leaving the Army. He was 1st posting was in Wallasey
between 2004 and 2007. From there Paul joined the Roads Policing Unit in 2007,
where he quickly became a valued member of the team. Paul dedicated his career
to protecting the public and the force is flying the flag at half mast in his
honour. Our thoughts and condolences are with Lindsey, Ella, his family, friends
and colleagues." |
