Death in
Service
CARE England, the
largest representative body for independent providers of adult
social care, has welcomed the Government’s announcement that it
will extend the life assurance scheme to care workers. Professor
Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, says:-
"Unfortunately this pandemic has taken the lives of many of our
wonderful care staff. Care England wants to acknowledge the
Government for making this scheme available to all care workers.
This is a tangible way in which they have shown that they see
health and social care as to interdependent systems, and they
recognise the value of all health and care staff in whatever
place they work."
Launched in April, the life assurance scheme was initially for
health workers in the NHS and independent sector. As of
yesterday, it has been extended to NHS support staff and social
care workers. The scheme recognises the increased risk faced by
staff during the crisis and covers corona virus related deaths
of workers in frontline health and social care roles during the
outbreak. A payment of ₤60,000 will be made to the estate of the
eligible individuals who die from Coronavirus contracted during
their frontline essential work. More information is available
here.
Southport Air Show and British
Musical Fireworks Championship Cancelled
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DUE to the Coronavirus
(Covid-19) situation in the UK and the impact that it is having,
Sefton Council has been forced to take the difficult decision to
cancel the Southport Air Show and the British Musical Fireworks
Championship. The events will now return in 2021. Each year
these flagship events attract visitors from all over the UK and
generate millions of pounds for Sefton’s local economy,
supporting local businesses.
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council's Labour Cabinet Member for
Regeneration and Skills, says:- "Every autumn we welcome
thousands of people to Southport to enjoy these two major events
in the town; the Southport Air Show and the British Musical
Fireworks Championship. However, as the latest Government
guidance on the next stages of its Covid-19 response indicate,
it will not be possible or responsible for large scale events to
take place. We understand this news will disappoint a lot of
people, but we all have to work hard to protect the health and
the wellbeing of our communities, and the safety of everyone
involved including:- visitors, exhibitors, traders, staff,
contractors, and the many more who contribute and play a part in
delivering these much loved events. These are the factors at the
very forefront of our decision. We look forward to welcoming
everyone again next year."
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Dates for some of the key
events taking place in Southport in 2021:-
► Southport Food and Drink Festival - Friday, June 4 to Sunday, 6
June 2021.
► Southport Air Show - Saturday, 3 July to Sunday, 4 July 2021.
► British Musical Fireworks Championship - Friday 24 September to
Sunday, 26 September 2021.
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With lots of vast beaches and
park space, Visit Southport has been urging people to continue
to follow UK government advice. When it is again safe to do so
it will ensure a warm welcome awaits visitors to Southport. To
find out more about Visit Southport’s response to the
Coronavirus (Covid-19) and to receive updates visit:-
VisitSouthport.com. Please
let us know if this has affected you, by emailing us at:-
News24@SouthportReporter.Com.
Active
Sefton now holding a Virtual 5km Race
THIS weekend Active
Sefton, who offer a host of sport and fitness activities,
regardless of age or ability, will be holding their 1st ever
Virtual 5km Race! A spokesperson said:- "On your marks,
get set, go! From today you have 4 days to complete a 5km run or
walk. Once you have completed the 5km, post a photo of yourself
with your time and we collate the results, then award the
winning male and female. We look forward to seeing your results
and photos... Please Stay Safe and Good Luck!" To take
part, all you have to do is simply complete the 5km, post photo
of yourself and time on Active Sefton
Facebook or
Twitter Pages, by Tuesday,
26 May 2020, and they will then send out results. You can also
email them your photo and time to:-
Active.Workforce@Sefton.Gov.UK.
NSPCC
Bluebell Walk goes virtual
NSPCC Alnwick's annual
bluebell walk has taken a virtual twist this year, with the walk
going live online for the 1st time ever. The film, which
will be premiered on the NSPCC Bluebell Walk Facebook page, on
Sunday, 24 May 2020, will show a walk through Ratcheugh Crag and
the Bluebells along with an exclusive talk from the
Northumberland Estates Archivist, Chris Hunwick. The Bluebell
Walk usually takes place on land owned by Northumberland Estates
and by kind permission of the Duke of Northumberland, which
opens exclusively for the walk, and raises thousands of pounds
for the charity. This year, the virtual walk will encourage
people to stay at home, while making sure people can still enjoy
seeing the estate's marvellous views from anywhere in the world,
and asking people to donate what they can. The film, which was
filmed safely while observing social distancing, allowing the
hundreds who enjoy the walk every year to attend the event in
some capacity, as well as encouraging those with limited
mobility to feel more involved.
Alnwick NSPCC Committee Chairman, Caroline Chrisp, said:-
"The Bluebell Walk is spectacular, taking visitors through the
amazing bluebells in the woods around Ratcheugh Crag before
emerging at the Observatory to spectacular views of the
surrounding countryside and Northumberland coast. While people
can't get out as easily, we want to bring the views to them
through this fantastic virtual walk. The Bluebell Walk has also
become a hugely important fundraiser for us, last year producing
a record total thanks to generous donations by our visitors.
Hopefully, even though this year's event is slightly different,
supporters from the community will back the walk and help us
support the NSPCC. Katy Carmen, Supporting Fundraising Manager
for the NSPCC, said:- "This is a really difficult time for the
NSPCC, as many of the events which have been planned months in
advance have had to be cancelled. That's why we're so fortunate
that the Alnwick Committee have stepped up and decided to try
something new with their celebrated Bluebell Walk, meaning we
can continue to support children with the funds raised."
Caroline added:- "We hope that when you view our film, you
might feel able to make a donation, with all funds raised going
direct to the NSPCC. Anything you feel able to give would be
very much appreciated."
Childline recently announced its emergency appeal:- 'We're
Still Here,' encouraging people to donate so that the
service can continue to answer children who are feeling worried
or scared. This comes after more than 1,700 counselling sessions
were delivered to children concerned about Coronavirus in the
1st 3 weeks of April alone. Every penny raised by the Bluebell
Walk means that more children can be answered in this time of
need. The film will be premiered, at 10am, on Sunday, 24 May
2020, but it's advised to Like the page beforehand so you are
notified as it goes live. For more information, contact Caroline
Chrisp on:- 07753822427, or Prue Jackson on:- 07968739117.
National
study has revealed 1 in 10 UK couples say lockdown has led them
to plan a new baby
AFTER seeing the number
of people who headed to its coastline this week, Sefton Council
has adopted a new campaign ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend.
'Wish you weren't here!' is the Council’s spoof take
on the picture postcard message it is sending to people thinking
of travelling to its beaches from across the North West.
Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing Cllr
Ian Moncur said:- "It's not the message you expect to see
on a postcard, or what Sefton Council would usually be telling
the public, but at this time we need people to think about their
own and others’ safety, as well as the wellbeing of our
communities and Council staff. Our beaches are tempting, but
they are not able to cope with high level of visitors at the
moment. Beach car parks are closed and parking is limited.
Public toilets remain closed, bins are not in use and there no
Life Guard Patrols. Recently, data showed the Merseyside region
as having a higher death rate than any other part of England and
the rest of the North West, and it remains important that people
stay home as much as possible and maintain the effort to reduce
transmission of this dangerous virus."
Cllr Moncur added:- "We
would also ask local people who are travelling to their nearby
beaches to park considerately and ensure there is access for
emergency vehicles at all times."
Sefton Council has asked people to continue being its eyes and
ears and to report any large gatherings to the Police by
dialling 101 or sending an email to:-
GreenSefton@Sefton.Gov.UK.
Manchester
Arena bombing victims remembered
EVEN in a pandemic, the
victims of an Islamist extremist suicide bomber, have been
remembered. On 22 May 2017, the US singer Ariana Grande had just
finished a concert and as people were leaving the Manchester
Arena, when the terrorist, Salman Abedi, detonated his homemade
explosive device. The explosion left 22 people dead and over 800
others with physical and/or psychological injures. On Thursday,
the singer, Ariana Grande, has already sent a heartfelt message
to fans, writing on her Instagram page:- "I will be
thinking of you all week and weekend."
Muslim
comedians to come together for 'socially distant' show to
mark Eid in lockdown
40 Muslim comedians
from across the world are to come together for a 1 off online
show to 'bring joy' to Muslims as they spend Eid away from
friends and family. The event, organised by the Concordia Forum,
will see acts from the UK, USA, Canada, and South Africa
performing three minute sketches during a 2 hour live show to be
streamed on Facebook, on Sunday, 24 May 2020.
The Concordia Forum, a global network of Muslim leaders, is
putting on the event:- 'The Socially Distant Eid Comedy
Night,' to bring joy to Muslims who are celebrating
Eid-ul-Fitr (the festival marking the end of Ramadan) alone or
in isolation due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Confirmed acts include:- Imran Yusuf; Tez Ilyas; Aizzah Fatima;
Aatif Nawaz; Yaaseen Barnes; Bilal Zafar; Ehshaan Akbar; Yasmin
Elhady; Salma Hindy; Abdullah Afzal; Atheer Yaqoub; Nabz Pat;
Suhayl Essa; Feraz Shere; and Ismail Moses.
Muddassar Ahmed, chair of the Concordia Forum, said:- "This
Ramadan has been particularly difficult for communities around
the world. We’re proud to be pulling together some of the
brightest Muslim comedic talent to entertain those celebrating
the Eid festival at home, people looking to learn a little bit
about Muslim culture, or really anyone in need of a good laugh."
Imran Yusuf, 1st Muslim to be nominated best newcomer at the
Edinburgh Fringe Festival, said:- "To beat the lockdown,
we can safely celebrate Eid via the marvel of the internet. This
show is a way to easily bring together more people to meet in
cyberspace and have a laugh with comics from all over the world,
a truly international stage beamed straight to you wherever you
are with a decent broadband connection."
Barclays
Bank is still not able to process some Bounce Back Loans
IN an email and txt
sent out to those affected by the undisclosed 'issues'
they said today:- "We know you tried to apply for a Bounce
Back Loan and had problems and we're so sorry about this. While
we've been able to process most Bounce Back Loan applications
we've had, we know some have had problems or are taking longer
than we'd like. We're working to fix the issues that you're
having as quickly as we can. We know this isn't ideal and the
loan is important to you. We'll be back in touch in the next few
days with an update and actions we may need your help with.
Thank you for bearing with us. We'll keep you posted as promised
and come back to you as soon as we can with an update. Look out
for our updates by email and text. Thank you for your patience."
this statement was then signed off with "Your Barclays Business
Team."
We would like to hear from any affected businesses. If you are
affected, please let us know via emailing us to:-
News24@SouthportReporter.Com,
so that we can get a clear picture of what is going on and just
how badly businesses are being affected by the 'issues.'
Total UK cases
COVID-19 cases - update for Liverpool City Region and
surroundings
THE total number of Coronavirus
(COVID-19) that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK,
has risen by 3,287 cases
and the total number now stand at 254,195, that
includes tests carried out by commercial partners which are not
included in the 4 National totals. The daily number of
laboratory confirmed UK cases is 146,662, as of Sunday,17 May
2020. The total number of deaths of people who have had a
positive test result confirmed by a Public Health or NHS
laboratory is 36,393. Daily number of COVID-19 associated UK
fatalities added to the total, was sadly reported to be 351
according to the Department of Health. In England, there are a
total of 147,745 confirmed cases. North West - total of 24,522
confirmed cases. The number of laboratory
confirmed cases within the following Local Authorities, in and
around the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-
► Liverpool, 1,576 confirmed cases.
► Sefton, 908 confirmed cases.
► Wirral, 1,223 confirmed cases.
► St. Helens, 743 confirmed cases.
► Halton, 384 confirmed cases.
► Lancashire, 3,449 confirmed cases.
► Cheshire West and Chester, 1,061 confirmed cases.
► Cheshire East, 1,156 confirmed cases.
► Manchester, 1,502 confirmed cases.
► Stockport, 1,032 confirmed cases.
► Trafford, 784 confirmed cases.
► Wigan, 1,133 confirmed cases.
► Bolton, 986 confirmed cases.
► Rochdale, 752 confirmed cases.
► Bury, 711 confirmed cases.
► Tameside, 658 confirmed cases.
► Oldham, 1,029 confirmed cases.
► Blackburn with Darwen, 400 confirmed cases.
These stats are according to Public Health England as of
22/05/2020. Last updated 4.02pm GMT.. UK total includes cases
detected through:- "Pillar 2" testing (tests carried out by
commercial partners) and therefore does not equate to the sum of
the 4 countries' counts, which only include:- "Pillar 1" (tests
carried out by NHS / PHE / Devolved Administration Labs)..
UK total includes cases detected through:- "Pillar 2" testing
(tests carried out by commercial partners) and therefore does
not equate to the sum of the 4 countries' counts, which only
include:- "Pillar 1" (tests carried out by NHS / PHE / Devolved
Administration Labs).
UK Government Coronavirus Press
Conference on 22 May 2020 Video