Iceland employees clean up Southport beach while fundraising for dementia research

OVER 50 people, mainly employees from Iceland Foods, cleaned up when they gave a Southport beach a spruce; with their efforts raising nearly ₤1,000 for life changing dementia research. The environmentally conscious group were joined by family and friends for the clean up mission at Ainsdale beach earlier this month. The event; organised by Iceland Foods Area Manager, Jay Wilman, and Store Manager, Richard Elliott; was part of the retailer's 2 year partnership with Surfers Against Sewage to create:- 'Plastic Free Communities.' The charity provided the group with the tools they needed for the clean. 

Louise Woodward, an Iceland Foods employee who was part of the beach clean, said:- "We all had such a great day; even if the weather wasn't the best! It felt so good to be able to do our bit for the environment, especially as we were able to get our children involved too and show them why it's important to look after our community. What's more, we were able to raise money for Alzheimer's Research UK. It's such a vital cause. We hear from so many of our customers who have been affected by dementia and it's so sad. We must do all we can to find a way to prevent and hopefully find a cure for dementia."

As well as hoping to improve the community, the group used the event to support Alzheimer's Research UK, which is the official charity partner for Iceland Foods.

FeliCity James, Corporate Partnerships Officer at Alzheimer's Research UK, said:- "What a fantastic way to make a difference to our environment and raise money for life changing dementia research. We're incredibly grateful to the group for their brilliant support and we're glad they had such a good time on the day. The money raised by the team will help Alzheimer's Research UK to find a much needed cure for dementia. More than half of us know someone living with the condition, so we must do everything we can to put a stop to the heartbreak it causes. With the support of companies like Iceland Foods and their amazing employees, we will be able to make breakthroughs possible."

Many of the team were sponsored for their cleaning efforts, on Sunday, 2 June 2019. They also helped to boost their funds by holding a raffle and a barbeque, with all the food and drink donated by Iceland Foods.  The money raised will help Iceland Foods to meet its ₤1 million commitment to the UK's leading dementia research charity this year. ½ of the money is expected to hve been raised during Iceland Foods Charity Week, took place between 8 June to 14 June. All stores got involved in the fundraising drive, with lots of fun activities arranged to help raise vital awareness and funds for pioneering dementia research.  There are almost a million people in the UK living with dementia in the UK, with over 18,000 in Merseyside alone. Despite this, there are currently no treatments to slow, stop or prevent the diseases, like Alzheimer's, that cause it. Alzheimer's Research UK's mission is to bring about the 1st life changing dementia treatment by 2025. Since 2010, Iceland Foods has raised a total of ₤15 million for dementia charities.

Richard Bradley from Southport is crowned national electrical apprentice of the year

RICHARD Bradley from Southport, Merseyside, has been crowned winner of the 2019 NICEIC and ELECSA Electrical Apprentice of the Year competition. The 31 year old former marine was 1 of 8 competitors to reach the Grand Final which was held on Tuesday, 4 June 2019, at the Head Office of the competition partner Scolmore Group. The final was the 3rd stage of the contest, which saw more than 1000 apprentices from across the UK take part.

Richard studied electronics as part of his apprenticeship with the Ministry of Defence. He is currently working towards his NVQ Level 3 Qualification in Electrical Installation at a local training centre.  He commented:- "I was so surprised when they said my name. I thought they called the wrong person. I don't think I've ever been so shocked.  entered the competition after recently being medically discharged from the marines. I needed to find a career that was similar to the work I was doing but could also help me develop as a person and support my family. Being a part of the competition has been such a rewarding experience. I got to work beside some amazing finalists and it has given me more confidence in my work ability and I'm extremely proud of what I have achieved. I started off as a self taught spark who wanted to see where electrics could take me. Now, I intend to push forward and keep challenging myself as Apprentice of the Year. It has been a fantastic experience and I would definitely recommend anyone wanting to push themselves further to consider taking part. You've got nothing to lose by taking part and you never know what will come from it."

As the overall winner, Richard was presented with a holiday voucher worth ₤2,000. All 8 finalists were given an engraved glass trophy, an iPad and a kit bag containing an array of Scolmore's electrical accessories.

Darren Staniforth, Senior Technical Development Manager at NICEIC and ELECSA said:- "This is the 4th year that we have run the competition and the standards are getting higher each year. That is encouraging for the industry as a whole.  Through this competition, we want to recognise the talent of electrical apprentices and acknowledge all the good work they do. We want to show them what a rewarding and diverse career they can have within the electrical sector."

Marie Parry group marketing director at Scolmore said:- "Our aim at the start of this venture was to create and develop a national competition that would not only attract the highest calibre of candidates, but would also generate interest within the industry and this is certainly proving to be the case. We will continue to play our part to help develop and reward and apprentices and will be looking to work more closely with colleges and training facilities to provide learning support and materials and hopefully, inspire more apprentices to get involved in future competitions."

Richard is still trying to get his head around the fact that he is the NICEIC and ELECSA 2019 Electrical Apprentice of the Year, but he is already planning a trip to Disneyland Paris with his wife and daughter.

Over 75's need not take immediate action, says TV Licensing

FOLLOWING the BBC's policy announcement on the future of the over 75's TV Licence fee, TV Licensing is advising customers currently receiving a free licence that they need not take any immediate action and that they will be supported through the changes when the current arrangement for free over 75 licences paid for by the UK Government  comes to an end next year. Further to a public consultation, the BBC has announced that from June 2020, the BBC will fund a free licence for over 75's in receipt of Pension Credit. Information about the BBC's decision can be found at:- BBC.Co.UK/Age. 

TV Licensing said that:- "Over the course of the next month TV Licensing will be writing directly to everyone who currently has a free over 75 licence to let them know about the new scheme and make clear that they will remain fully covered by their free licence until 31 May 2020. TV Licensing will get in touch with affected customers well ahead of the change next summer to explain what to do next, letting people know how those still eligible for a free licence can apply and what payment options will be available for those who will need to buy a licence in the future. Over 1.5 million households with residents aged over 75 could receive free TV Licences funded by the BBC if they receive Pension Credit. TV Licensing will operate a self-verification system where individuals simply need to demonstrate their receipt of Pension Credit in order to qualify. Recognising that the decision will affect customers who may need extra support, from next year, TV Licensing will be providing face to face assistance for older people through an outreach programme delivered by specially trained customer care field staff. The size of the TV Licensing Customer Support Call Centre will also be increased. TV Licensing will also be launching a free telephone information line this month where older customers and their relatives can access recorded information on the new policy and advice to customers by calling:- 0800 232 1382. Information and frequently asked questions can also be found on the TV Licensing website.  Furthermore, TV Licensing will be developing a new:- "Pay as you Go" payment scheme especially for customers who will need to pay for their licence from June 2020. This scheme will let customers spread the cost of their licence in fortnightly or monthly payments to make it easier to pay. In 2017/18 TV Licensing worked with over 480 money advice and community organisations across the country to help support those who struggle to pay the licence fee. TV Licensing provides support including a money advisors helpline, regular briefings and accessible literature that can be provided to customers finding it difficult to stay correctly licensed. In addition, we ask the organisations we work with to provide feedback and guidance in the design of our services and communications to customers to ensure that we are providing the best support and service we can."

What are your views on this?  Do you think it is a step to far?  Please email us your thoughts to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.