News reports located on this page = 3.

Charity to spread its message of kindness further with help of car donation

A Merseyside charity is finding it a little easier to spread its message of kindness after being gifted a brand new Vauxhall Grandland X.  Liverpool charity:- 'An Hour For Others' received the car from Lookers Vauxhall Liverpool and will be able to use it for free up to a year to help with its work in the local community. The charity was set up 5 years ago by couple Kevin Morland, a painter and decorator, and accountant Gillian Watkins, who felt compelled to intervein and help those that, through no fault of their own, have fallen on hard times.  The couple have now grown their network of volunteers and local business supporters and, in doing so, have provided over ₤500,000 so far to those desperately in need, including families hit by tragedy, young carers looking after family members, those living with a serious illness and people in severe poverty. Recent years have seen the charity send families to:- football matches, provide furniture and clothing to those struggling with their finances and make sure that struggling families can provide for their children at Christmas time. Now the charity will be able to reach more people in Liverpool with the help of the Vauxhall Grandland X SUV, which has already been used by staff to travel to fundraising events and meetings, as well as pick up donated items for distribution right across the City. The charity is now looking to expand on the free group activities and courses that it facilitates in the community with the help of local businesses. These are designed to improve mental health, as well as improve social integration among the hardest hit. These include a 20 week play scheme for children, health and well being groups and home refurbishment events, which see local trade workers and decorating firms come together to undergo mini:- 'DIY SOS' projects to improve housing conditions.  Kevin Morland said:- "Through An Hour For Others we are providing a platform for community cohesion and social change by spreading unity, love and kindness. We work to inspire people and businesses to give their time, skills, materials, resources and donations to help us to continue growing and creating a better place for our children to live. We can't put into words how grateful we are to Lookers Vauxhall Liverpool as the car has already made a huge difference. The Grandland X is a great car and is so accommodating to our transport needs."

Lookers Vauxhall operates from 4 sites in Merseyside, including sites in Bootle and Speke.  David Savage, General Manager at Lookers Vauxhall Liverpool, said:- "When we heard about the amazing work carried out by An Hour For Others, we were keen to help out in any way we could. Hopefully the use of the Grandland X will allow the team to help even more people in our local community. We love the message that 1 good deed deserves another and we will be looking at others ways in which we can help the charity to promote this in the community."

Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals showing support for the LBGT+ community

NHS Rainbow Badges are now being worn by over 500 staff at Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals NHS Trust, to send a positive message of inclusion. Rainbow badges show that Southport and Ormskirk hospitals are an open, non judgemental and inclusive place for people that identify as LGBT+. LGBT+ stands for:- lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender and the + means that the wearer is inclusive of all identities, regardless of how people define themselves. Wearing the badge is a sign that the wearer is someone you can talk to about issues of sexuality and gender identity.

When staff sign up to wear the badge they are provided with information about the challenges people who identify as LGBT+ can face accessing healthcare and what they can do to support them. The badge is an NHS logo superimposed on the rainbow pride flag and can be worn on lanyards or uniforms. The initiative was created by Dr Michael Farquhar of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. More than 100 clinical commissioning groups, GP surgeries and hospitals from across the country have already expressed an interest in rolling it out. Bob Davies, equality and diversity lead at the Trust explains:- "We know that teenagers who identify as LBGT+ are more likely to attempt suicide or self harm, more likely to be bullied, or will even avoid seeking out healthcare for fear of discrimination. These statistics are worrying so it is very encouraging to see over ¼ of our staff here proudly wearing these badges and showing support. Badges wearers are standing in solidarity with LGBT+ people, and that support is vital for both patients and other staff members. We hope that our younger patients particularly find this helpful and welcoming, should they need to talk."

Man's body found in the River Alt

MERSEYSIDE  Police have confirmed that enquiries are underway following the discovery of a man's body in the River Alt in the Melling area, on Friday, 9 August 2019. we are told that emergency services were called at around 7am and have been working to identify the male.