Entries invited for annual Christopher Salmon poetry competition

THE Christopher Salmon foundation and Wirral Libraries are once again pleased to announce that the Christopher Salmon poetry extravaganza will be returning for 2018 following the event's huge success last year. The competition will be launched this month as part of Wirral Libraries' poetry week. The annual poetry competition, now in its 8th year, began as a tribute to former Calday Grammar School student Christopher Salmon who tragically lost his life to a rare streptococcal infection in February 2009, aged just 15. The theme for this year's competition is:- "memories'' and is open to Wirral residents of all ages. Both winners and runners up in each age category will be awarded cash prizes and will be given the chance to attend a workshop with renowned local poet John Hughes. The prizes will be presented by Mr. Hughes at an awards evening for the winners and their families, at Wallasey Town Hall.  The overall winner for the aged 18 or under category will also become Wirral's Young Poet Laureate for the following 12 months; with all winning poems being published in an anthology which will be available for purchase.  Chris's Parents Julie and Rich Salmon said:- "We are absolutely delighted that the competition has grown so much in popularity and now attracts entrants whose ages range from 4 to 94. It is wonderful to be able to do something positive and creative in Christopher's memory which captures the imagination of so many talented people."  The Christopher Salmon Foundation was set up in 2009 and has so far raised almost ₤50,000 for charity in Christopher's memory.  Full details of this year's competition and official entry forms will be available from Wirral libraries and on the charity's website.  Completed forms should be returned to Diane Mitchell at Birkenhead Library by 19/01/2018.

Southport quintet conquer Simplyhealth Great North Run for local charity

TEAM of 5 local runners take on UK's largest ½ Marathon for Southport respite centre. 5 brave locals conquered the Simplyhealth Great North Run on Sunday, 10 September for local disabled people's charity Revitalise, which runs the Sandpipers Respite Holiday Centre in Southport. 4 of the 5 runners actually work at the Centre.

The 4 successful runners who work at Sandpipers were Dave Chroston, Deputy Manager, Nafisa Mohammed and Manmeet Punny, both Healthcare Assistants, and Duty Manager Rachel Yule. Rachel was joined by her father Vernon Yule for the race, completing the 'Famous 5.'

Commenting on the team's challenge, Dave Chroston said:- "Disabled people and carers from across the region and beyond depend on Revitalise and Sandpipers for the lifeline of respite, so there was no way we weren't going to complete this challenge. Before the race we said we were going to run, walk or crawl the Great North Run to raise money for Revitalise. Well, none of us had to crawl!"

Revitalise Sandpipers provides much needed respite holidays, combining 24 hour nurse led care with a real holiday experience, for disabled people and carers from the North West region and beyond. It is 1 of 3 UK centres run by the charity.  The Simplyhealth Great North Run on Tyneside is the UK's largest ½ Marathon. This year over 43,000 runners took on the famous 13.1 mile course. People can still donate to Revitalise via the 5's Just Giving Page.