News reports located on this page = 4.

Virtual tennis fundraiser 'serves' up an astonishing £2000 in memory of dear friend Mary

MAGGIE'S Merseyside is supporting people living with cancer through the Covid-19 emergency by phone, email or through their online community. The Maggie's Centre, built in the grounds of Clatterbridge Health Park is continuing to provide free practical and emotional support to people living with cancer, as well as family and friends, at what is an incredibly difficult time. Bringing groups and courses together virtually. Supporters are going to all lengths to help ensure the support Maggie's vital services can continue, people like Debbie Jones, who after holding a virtual tennis tournament in memory of a dear friend, raised an incredible £1,739.89 for Maggie's; with donations still coming in.

Debbie and Mary became friends through Mary's husband Brian, as the trio all worked for:- 'The Wirral University Teaching Hospital.' After Mary was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer back in 2016 her and husband Brian were advised to call over to Maggie's to get some much needed support. Brian said:-  "Maggie's provided amazing support to not only Mary, but to the entire family. We needed emotional support, but we also needed practical support too, such as benefits advice and information surrounding treatment. Maggie's was such a dear place to Mary and every time we would come for treatment we would be sure to pop in to the centre, whether it be for a cuppa and a biccie or for Mary to attend one of the very many courses, such as the Look Good Feel Better session which Mary thoroughly enjoyed. It wasn't hard to get a smile on Mary's face but every time we left Maggie's she would be smiling from ear to ear. All at The Wirral University Teaching Hospital had heard such positive things about Maggie's and after the passing of Mary and they wanted to do something in her memory. Debbie said, 'Mary and I were such good friends and she spoke so, so highly of Maggie's. At Mary's funeral service Mary had requested that all funds raised went to Maggie's and after raising over £800 we thought it would be a good idea to hold a charity fundraiser. As Chair of Prenton Lawn Tennis Club, each year we organise a winter tournament, this year we decided to do it for charity, our chosen charity being one extremely close to Mary's heart, Maggie's Merseyside. We were charging a tournament entry fee and this fee went directly to Maggie's through our Just Giving Page. After the tournament we had a big celebration planned with the hope of raising ₤500 for Maggie's, but due to the current Covid-19 situation I had to cancel the event. After all the hard work, was really upsetting. A couple of days before the event I decided that nothing was going to stop me in raising awareness for such a great cause and leavinga lasting legacy for my friend, so I decided to hold the event virtually."

Debbie was on a mission to hit her target of ₤500 and having woken up at 6am to get the ball rolling with her virtual fundraiser, Debbie had already hit ₤600 by 11am. Debbie was updating followers on her social media and encouraging people to donate what they would have potentially spent on the evening and after a day of lighting up social media, sharing the just giving link and ringing round friends and family Debbie managed to raise an incredible ₤2,094.89.

Debbie wanted to thank everyone involved with the virtual fundraiser and is hoping that her triumph can encourage others to take part in virtual fundraising events to ensure the support that Maggie's is still providing throughout the crisis can continue. "It is important to raise as much awareness as we possibly can, even more so at this difficult time. Maggie's are still supporting people affected by cancer and I am proud to say that thanks to the Pharmacy Team and the Team at Prenton Lawn Tennis club we were able to raise an amazing amount in memory of an incredible woman."

Maggie's Merseyside Centre Head Kathy Wright said:- “We understand how disheartening it can be when a supporter has to postpone an event, especially during these unprecedented times when people need a lift. But thanks to supporters like Debbie, we're here now providing invaluable support to those that need us most. We'd love to see more people get involved with online quizzes, treadmill walks or dance a thons.”

Maggie's Merseyside relies almost entirely on voluntary donations to be able to offer this high quality, professional support. For virtual fundraising ideas visit:- Maggies.Org. You can donate via:- JustGiving.com. To find out more about Maggie's Merseyside please get in touch on:- 01513344301 or send an email to:- Liverpool@MaggiesCentres.Org. To make a donation to Debbie's virtual fundraiser in memory of her friend you can donate via:- JustGiving.com.

Letter to Editor:- "Coronavirus Emergency Appeal for London and Grimsby Animal Hospitals"

"IN these difficult times please don't forget sick, injured, homeless and abandoned pets. Blue Cross still needs your help to care for the hundreds of needy animals who are patiently waiting to find loving homes and the poorly pets in our animal Hospitals, in London and Grimsby who need urgent treatment. We can't do the work we do without your generosity. We are continuing to provide the best care possible and I want to thank our re-homing teams, vets and nurses who are working around the clock to keep pets safe, happy and healthy. But my thanks aren't enough, we need your help to be able to help more pets. We would really appreciate anything people can give to help us continue our work to help pets in need, no matter how small. We would also be incredibly grateful to animal lovers who can share our advice on how to protect pets and keep them happy and healthy at this time. Please visit:- BlueCross.Org.UK to see how you can help." Sally de la Bedoyere, Chief Executive, Blue Cross, Shilton Road, Burford, Oxon, OX18 4PF.

Don't miss out, claim Child Benefit by phone or post, HMRC tells new parents

PARENTS of new borns will still be able to claim Child Benefit despite the outbreak of Coronavirus, HMRC announces on 7 April 2020. Even though General Register Offices remain closed for now, parents can still claim Child Benefit without having to register their child's birth first to ensure that they do not miss out. For 1st time parents will need to fill in Child Benefit Claim form CH2 found online and send it to the Child Benefit Office. If they haven't registered the birth because of COVID-19, they should add a note with their claim to let us know.

If they already claim Child Benefit, they can complete the form or add their new born's details over the telephone on:- 0300 200 3100. You will need your National Insurance number or Child Benefit number. Child Benefit claims can be backdated by up to 3 months. This announcement is timely as child benefit payments increase from 6 April to a weekly rate of ₤21.05 for the 1st child and ₤13.95 for each additional child. Child Benefit is paid into your bank account, usually every 4 weeks. Only 1 person can claim Child Benefit for a child. For couples with one partner not working or paying National Insurance contributions, making the claim in their name will help protect their State Pension.

Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Jesse Norman, said:- "We need people to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives. Today's change means new parents won't miss out financially and can keep their families safe. The Government will do whatever it takes to support people and the NHS during this outbreak, and HMRC are working around the clock to help families and businesses across the UK."

Angela MacDonald, Director General for Customer Services, HMRC said:- "It's really important that new parents remember to register for Child Benefit, even during these unprecedented times. The increase in Child Benefit is a boost for family budgets, but there's more to claiming than the payments. We're encouraging people to claim so they don't miss out on National Insurance Credits that help protect their State Pension. It also helps children to get their National Insurance number automatically at 16."

HMRC is reminding High Income Child Benefit Charge customers of the importance of claiming child benefit, even if they choose to opt out of receiving monetary benefits. The Tax charge applies to anyone with an income over ₤50,000, who claims Child Benefit or whose partner claims it. Even if you do have to pay the Tax charge, you could still be better off by claiming Child Benefit; the Tax is 1% of Child Benefit for each ₤100 of income over ₤50,000. You can use the Child Benefit Tax Calculator to work out how much you may have to pay, or you can opt out of receiving Child Benefit payments altogether when you complete the form, so you won't have to pay the charge but will still protect your State Pension.

Spandau Ballet Legend Martin Kemp offers 1500 FREE tickets to NHS workers for UK Shows in 2020 and 2021

FOLLOWING a series of sold out dates, Martin Kemp has announced a series of DJ Shows across the UK from December 2020 to February 2021. It is hoped the shows will be something for fans to look forward to once the UK is over the Coronavirus. To acknowledge the amazing job the NHS is currently doing, promoters M&B have worked with Martin to offer 1500 FREE tickets for any NHS worker across the tour dates. The 80's legend and TV sex symbol will be back behind the decks to spin all the best hits from the most influential era of pop. Martin said:- "These shows will be a lot of fun and the ultimate return to the 80's. Music is everyone's life soundtrack and transports us all to the best times of our lives! I think we all need that right now! Expect 1 of the most euphoric nights you've had since the 80's."

Music fans can join the Spandau heartthrob on an unforgettable journey:- 'Back To The 80's.'  As a bassist in the multi million selling band Spandau Ballet, Martin was behind hit after hit including:- 'Gold,' 'True' and countless other classics. So he certainly knows a thing or two about the halcyon days of the 80s! Club culture, endless nocturnal adventures… This is where it all began. Martin added:- "When I 1st started these DJ shows I thought we'd just do 1 out 2m but they've really taken off and they are just so much fun. My DJ skills have been honed at home with a little help from my son Roman. I've a nice little collection at vinyl at home; I love 70's rock but this tour is all about the 80's. Of course I will spin a few of the Spandau classics; how could I not! I love music, I love entertaining so these DJ sets are so much fun for me! My dance skills are a 1 out of 10, I'm 57 not 27 so I thought my clubbing days were behind me! However, I'm good at Dad dancing; so when the dance floor is full, I might join you all down the front!"

So for the ultimate night out, let Martin guide you through the finest 80's music around. Martin is the ultimate DJ and host. A huge TV personality who has starred in the likes of The Krays, Eastenders and Celebrity Island With Bear Grylls he is charisma personified! 80's flamboyance and rule breaking is encouraged, Fancy dress is not compulsory, but dust off your shoulder pads, sweatbands, leg warmers and double denim if you dare!!

Shows take place across the UK as follows:-

► 4/12/20 - Norwich, Epic Studios.

► 5/12/20 - Coventry, Rialto Plaza.

► 11/12/20 - Blackpool Tower.

► 12/12/20 - Stafford, Icon.

► 18/12/20 - Wolverhamton, The Hangar.

► 19/12/20 - Sunderland, The Point.

► 05/2/21 - Plymouth, Guildhall.

► 12/2/21 - Dundee, Duck Slatterys.

► 13/2/21 - Wigan, The Monaco.

► 20/2/21 - Shrewsbury, The Buttermarket.

► 26/2/21 - Rochester, Kent, The Casino Rooms.

► 27/2/21 - Cheltenham Town Hall.

Tickets are available via:- EasyTicketing.Co.UK.

NHS workers can apply for a free ticket by emailing proof of NHS employment to:- Info@EasyTicketing.Co.UK.