A Day To Role Up For Charity

A special event is taking place across the 17 November to 18 November 2018, in support of the mental health charity, Mind. Dozens of intrepid adventurers are attempting a feat of endurance as they forge their way through 24 straight hours of role play gaming (with a tamer 12 hour option for those who value their sleep). Graciously hosted by the Prince of Wales Hotel in Southport, the challenge promises to be 1 of epic proportions. "We managed to raise over ₤2000 for Alder Hey in 2017. This year will be even bigger, with 6 different games and nearly 40 people from all over taking part, not to mention all our supporters and donors. We are very grateful to the Prince of Wales, as well as all the local organisations and businesses across the Region helping to spread the word." said 1 of the organisers.

The gruelling weekend will have a lot of unexpected surprises and general spectators are welcome. There are still currently some places available at the gaming tables, so anyone who wants to bid to fill 1 of the seats is still able to do so until the 31 October 2018. You can also buy some help or hindrances for a player of your choice with the:- 'Friend or Foe' scheme.   "All of our players from previous events have donated their own money just to play and done a fantastic job in raising funds from their communities. We are hoping this year to a) Stay awake for the whole thing and b) Top last year's record. Mind is great charity and does a lot of good work."

Visit:- 24hr-rpg.fyi for more information, or look for '24 Hour RPG Challenge' on JustGiving to donate.

Celebrations at the ½ way point to build Liverpool's 1st specialist cancer Hospital

THE Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust and Laing O'Rourke celebrated the ½ way point in the construction of a new cancer Hospital in Liverpool. Exterior building work is almost complete on the 11 storey specialist treatment centre that is on track to open in 2020.

During a ceremony at the site, Phil Edgington, Chair of The Clatterbridge Cancer thanked staff from Laing O'Rourke for their work so far on the landmark building that will transform cancer care in the Region. Patient Becky Brothwood also addressed workers and invited guests, speaking of the importance of Liverpool's 1st dedicated cancer centre, providing cutting edge research as well as outstanding care and treatment.

Becky, 21, a student at Bangor University who was treated at Clatterbridge following a diagnosis of ovarian cancer in 2015, said:- "I remember when I was a patient seeing plans for the new Hospital on a computer screen so it is really exciting to be here and see the building take shape. The new Hospital will be a huge boost to cancer care in the area, with modern facilities and improved accessibility of a huge number of patients."

The TruStreet, which provides specialist cancer services for Merseyside and Cheshire as well as carrying out vital research into treatments, plans to expand its services with the new 11 storey Hospital when it opens in 2020 in the heart of The Knowledge Quarter, putting it at the centre of a thriving medical, scientific and technology community.

Further developments are also planned at the current site of The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Wirral, following completion of the new Liverpool Centre.

The new Clatterbridge Cancer Centre will provide specialist chemotherapy and other drug therapies, including immunotherapy, radiotherapy, inpatient and outpatient care, cancer support and rehabilitation, bone marrow transplant and urgent cancer care. There will also be a dedicated teenage and young adult unit. It will care for a population of 2.3 million people from across Merseyside, Cheshire and beyond, with solid tumours and blood cancers, and will also carry out clinical trials of new cancer treatments.

The new Hospital will be in addition to The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre's existing Hospitals, within Wirral and Aintree, and its Chemotherapy and Outpatient Services in other Hospitals across the Region including:- Southport, Chester, Halton, St Helen's and Liverpool.

The ₤162M project is being funded by the NHS and Government sources, with an additional ₤15 million planned to come from:- 'The New Cancer Hospital Appeal;' this means that there is no PFI funding on the project.

Phile Edgington, Chair of The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, said:- "This year The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre celebrated its 60th Birthday, so it is fitting we are here today to celebrate this milestone in the construction of our new Hospital. When completed this centre will help us deliver even more vital treatment, more lifesaving clinical trials and more innovations for the next 60 years and beyond. It will help us save an additional 700 lives every single year, leaving a lasting legacy for patients and their families in Merseyside and Cheshire."

Liam Cummins, Laing O'Rourke's Head of UK Building said:- "Our team has used its considerable engineering expertise and innovation in healthcare to reach this ½-way point in construction and I am incredibly proud of their efforts. In 2011, we delivered Liverpool's 1st radiotherapy facility, in Aintree to Clatterbridge ahead of time and on budget so being trusted to deliver Liverpool's 1st specialist cancer Hospital was testament to the skills of our healthcare delivery team. After today's celebrations, we will continue to focus on meeting the handover date in Spring 2020 and I know everyone involved will feel proud of the role they have played in improving the facilities needed for specialist cancer care in Merseyside and Cheshire."

Construction of the site is expected to be completed in the spring of 2020 with the new Hospital expected to welcome its 1st patients in the summer of the same year.