Freshfields Animal Rescue has launched their 'Triple Threat' Christmas Appeal

FRESHFIELDS Animal Rescue has launched their:- 'Triple Threat' Christmas Appeal, to raise much needed funds to care for the hundreds of abandoned, abused and neglected animals who they rescue and re-home every year. Deb Hughes, Communications Officer, said:- "The focus this year is on getting through the Winter. We face a triple threat to our rescue work. Costs are up, donations are down, and more animals than ever need our help. What we're asking this Christmas is very simple yet profound: we need people to help us to carry out our mission: to be there for the animals. To rescue, rehabilitate and mend broken hearts and bodies, and to do it with great love and compassion. The dog in the picture is Mimi; she was thrown over the car park one night. Terrified and alone, Mimi was in very poor physical and emotional health. You wouldn't believe the change in her since she's been at Freshfields! Now she's in foster care and getting stronger every day. She's safe, warm and loved, thanks to our Freshfields family of supporters and friends. We couldn't keep protecting the animals without the marvellous people in our animal loving local communities, who took us to their hearts almost 50 years ago, and who keep our doors open for animals who have nowhere else to turn. You can pledge online at:- TotalGiving.Co.UK, or by cheque or telephone our reception and pay on credit card, or any way that is convenient for you. The animals cannot thank you themselves, but we can. Thank You for helping us make the world a better, safer and more hopeful place for animals in desperate need. Together, we can give them a second chance to be a cherished, beloved pet in a forever loving family."
 

Northern bans ALL e-scooters, hoverboards and e-skateboards from its 345 trains and 500+ stations

NORTHERN is introducing a ban on all e-scooters, hoverboards and e-skateboards across its trains and stations in the North of England.

The ruling, which comes into effect on Thursday, 1 December 2022, is due to the potential fire risk posed by the lithium batteries in these devices, which can overheat and catch fire.

Electric wheelchairs and e-bikes are exempt from the ban; as are mobility scooters for those with access needs, as long as they are registered with the train operator's Mobility Scooter Permit Scheme:- which checks devices by a range of criteria to make sure they are safe to use on-board.

Tricia Williams, Chief Operating Officer at Northern, said:- "The safety of our customers and staff is our number 1 priority. As these devices have become more and more popular, so have the horror stories of lithium batteries overheating and catching fire. Most of these devices are not actually approved for use in the UK; and from today our staff will refuse travel to anyone attempting to board 1 of our trains, or access 1 of our stations with such a device."

Northern is the 2nd largest train operator in the UK, with nearly 2,000 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.

On Sunday, 11 December 2022, Northern's new timetable comes into effect and all customers, especially those who have made regular journeys on the same train times, are advised to check online journey planners before they travel to ensure their service operates at the same time and calls at the same stations.