News reports located on this page = 3.

Merseyside and Cheshire SJA Volunteer awarded BEM in New Tears Honours Lists

MERSEYSIDE and Cheshire St John Ambulance volunteer, 73 year old, Elizabeth Stout and Officer Of The Order Of St John Ambulance, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM), in the 2020 New Year's Honours list. Elizabeth has given enormous service to St John Ambulance (SJA), initially in Cornwall and latterly Cheshire, but also neighbouring communities in Liverpool, Wirral, Manchester and Lancashire have benefited greatly too. We are told that she rose to Principal Youth Officer and finally County Commissioner Youth, roles she executed with passion and commendable efficiency. In these senior roles she was the most effective and competent member of both the County Management Board and St John Council. Also, since 2012, she has been a committed member of the County Priory Group (CPG), the County Honours and Awards Group, a prominent organiser of the Carol Service, a key member of the annual County Prize and Awards Team and a Safeguarding Champion. Not only that but she is a key member organising Cadet enrolments and leads her local St John Fellowship group! When not in St John, she also does voluntary work every week with AgeUK, in Birkenhead. When we met Elizabeth she told us that she didn't believe the letter it was genuine and nearly put the notification that she had been awarded the British Empire Medal in the bin! It was only that her son told her to take a closer look, that it became real to her. Elizabeth told us that:- "I was the 1st commissioner of youth for Cheshire and have been in St John Ambulance for 38 years, and hold a 5th Bar on my Service Medal... Over the years the biggest highlight for me is seeing the development of the youths into responsible citizens.  Also, I love to see the adults I have trained on duty. But I was amazed to get the award. I don't feel its me who is being honoured by the award, but the fantastic team of volunteers around me. I'm just holding the trophy. I love being a member of St John Ambulance and the Order. It has changed a lot, but my main focus has always been to look after others and that is why I'm proud to be a member."

To learn how you can get involved with St John Ambulance, please visit:- SJA.Org.UK.  Congratulations to Elizabeth Stout BEM on your achievements!

Speedo Mick's 1000 Mile Charity Walk

EVERTON fan and fundraiser 'Speedo Mick', real name Michael Cullen, is spending the festive season braving the cold, walking from John O'Groats to Lands End in nothing, but his swimming attire, ie Speedos goggles. Well apart from the odd occasion when he has to warm up, due to health reasons.

Michael 1st made headlines by attended Everton games wearing the skimpy swimwear last season to raise money for charity and has since moved on to run in the Santa Dash and do other stunts that not only bring smiles to people's faces, but raising awareness and vital funds for charity. His latest daunting task is walking 1000 miles to fundraise for:- 'Leave the Light On' starting his trek on 6 December 2019, less than a week after taking part in the Liverpool 2019 Santa Dash 2019.

Michael expects the walk to last 7 weeks, meaning he will be walking close to a marathon a day. But 19 days in, on 29 December 2019, he Tweeted:- "19 days in to this wonderfully crazy cold fundraising challenge, 'Speedo Mick's 1000 Mile Charity Walk - John O'Groats to Lands End In His Speedos' and I'm pooped and very sore. Thank you for all your support. The wind lives in Scotland." Adding:- "I think I may need to take a day off."  He is not giving up, saying he will be setting off, yet again, on New Years Eve, heading into England for New Years Day! So if you spot him, please do cheer him on and lead your support. It would be amazing to see people come out and support him as he heads towards Liverpool and as he sets off again, so please follow him on Twitter to keep track of his location.  He hopes to be at Anfield on Sunday, 5 January 2019. for the FA Cup 3rd Round tie between Liverpool and Everton. Lets hope he can do it, but if not he still needs a hero's welcome as he passes though, on his way to Land's End.  Also, if you know anyone on the route he is taking, please ask them to get their community to welcome him as he braves the elements. But most importantly, please help him pass his ₤100,000 goal by visiting his donation page, on:- GoFundMe.com.

The 'Leave the light On' is aimed at fundraising for community projects for disadvantaged young people, creating opportunities to bring people together to overcome isolation and experience positive attention and affirmation and to hopefully broaden their horizons.

BHF appeal for unwanted Christmas gifts

THE festive season is 1 of the most generous times of the year, but the BHF is appealing to those left disappointed by Santa's offerings to donate unwanted gifts to them, to help beat the heartbreak caused by heart and circulatory diseases. While it's the thought that counts, it wouldn't be Christmas without some gifts that miss the mark. But, rather than throwing these items away, the BHF is appealing for quality donations to help support the charity's vital work and save unwanted items from landfill. As the UK's largest charity retailer, each year the BHF's 740 shops help raise ₤30 million for life saving research. Without the public's generous support the BHF could not continue to turn bargains into scientific breakthroughs. From the clothes and shoes that don't fit to the accessories not to your taste, and the books you've already read, BHF volunteers and shop staff can transform unwanted gifts into money for heart research and help the environment. If you've had an upgrade, the BHF can also take old speakers, clothes or anything that's been replaced by Christmas gifts. In 2018 alone, the BHF saved over 74,000 tonnes of items from landfill, which helped prevent 53,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from being released into the atmosphere. This included 15,000 tonnes of pre-loved clothes and an incredible 180,000 sofas. Each year, 20,000 people in the North West lose their life to heart and circulatory diseases and currently 930,000 people are living with these devastating conditions across the region. Donating unwanted items is an easy way to help support the charity's vital work, so it can accelerate research into new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat heart and circulatory diseases. Donating to the charity couldn't be easier. Simply head down to your local shop or go online to arrange a home collection free of charge and say farewell to your Christmas clutter. Allison Swaine-Hughes, Retail Director at the British Heart Foundation said:- "We love the gifts you don't! This year, our shops will welcome everything from good quality:- clothes, shoes, handbags and jewellery to DVD's, CD's, books and children's toys. Electrical items can also be donated to 1 of our 180 furniture and electrical stores, so think of us when re-gifting that blender or coffee machine. If you want to donate a gift or cut down the clutter after the festive season, then just drop your donations in at your local BHF shop or take advantage of our free collection service. Your quality items will be saved from landfill and help us raise funds for vital research into heart and circulatory diseases. To find out more about how to donate to our shops or to arrange your free collection, visit:- BHF.Org.UK. "