Categories
News

So many ways to say thank you

Over the last few months we have all been involved in various ways of thanking everyone in the NHS for all of their hard work and efforts during the Coronavirus pandemic. We have had the weekly clapping, seen flags and posters in peoples’ windows and homes. The rainbow of the NHS has been seen widely in cities, towns and villages all over the country and is now an emblem that will always remind us of those to which we owe a huge debt of gratitude.

Whilst these are the usual things we have become accustomed to we have seen some novel ways which certainly made us smile and must have certainly cheered up some of those working in the NHS. Recently we have seen the following photos and we thought the NHS cannot ever have too many thank yous so thought we would show you these novel ways that people have shown their gratitude.

We think that the hours it must have taken to create some of these pieces really goes to show the level of gratitude we all have for the NHS.

Sign up today for your regular dose of good news. Sign up takes 2 minutes.  By signing up, reading, sharing and liking our articles, you are helping us raise money for the fight against Cystic Fibrosis! Thank you!

Categories
News

I have Dance Syndrome

Andrew Self came to prominence on the TV Show the Greatest Dancer and he moved the judges and audience with his absolute love for dance. Andrew has Down’s Syndrome but he calls it Dance Syndrome.

On the 22nd July Andrew took part in the Dancer’s Boogie-thon!15 different dance styles, switching every 1.5 minutes, raising money for the 1.5m people in the UK with a learning disability. To find out more about the event click on the following link facebook.com/Mencap

On the fundraising page Andrew says the following:

My Dancing Story

I fell in love with dance after watching Strictly Come Dancing at the age 11. I copied what the dancers were doing and shortly after, my mum enrolled me in dance classes. I loved everything about the TV show – the music, the outfits, the glamour but of course, the dancing was my favourite bit. I taught myself both the male and female parts because I didn’t have a dance partner at the time and became my own Captain of Dance. Last year I applied for The Greatest Dancer and was on the TV dancing to Justin Timberlake – it was so brilliant when the mirrors opened in 35 seconds which was the fastest time of the series. I loved performing for everyone.

I have Down’s syndrome, but I like to call it Dance Syndrome – my disability has never stopped me from following my dreams. I dance because it makes me feel joyful and free. So, next Wednesday 22nd July I will be hosting my very own “Boogie-thon” where I will be performing 15 different styles of dance; switching every 1.5 minutes. I am really looking forward to combining all my favourite dance styles into one. I think the Jive is going to be my favourite.

Move For Mencap

My “Boogie-thon” is raising money for the 1.5 million people in UK who like me have a learning disability and need support now more than ever. Mencap is the UK’s leading learning disability charity and they are asking people to take on their own Move for Mencap challenge – this could be any challenge based on the number 1.5! The money raised from this will help people who have a learning disability so they have the same opportunities as everyone else to live their lives as they wish.

It’s going to be loads of fun and you can also get involved too by joining in with my Boogie-thon or hosting your own on another day, just go to www.mencap.org.uk/moveformencap to sign up!

About Mencap

We give expert advice and information that empowers people and their families. And we campaign relentlessly for changes that bring greater equality for people with a learning disability.

By supporting Team Mencap you will be helping us to support people with a learning disability to live the life they choose, and do the things they love.

Through Virgin Money Giving, you can sponsor me and donations will be quickly processed and passed to Mencap.

Virgin Money Giving is a not for profit organisation and will claim gift aid on a charity’s behalf where the donor is eligible for this.

Andrew has highlighted his event on national television and despite his difficulty with speech the love of dance was absolutely clear to everyone. As soon as the music played then his body started to move and the whole time his enthusiasm just lit up everything around. After his event, which was held yesterday, Andrew has already raised almost £10,500. A remarkable achievement by a remarkable young man!! Watching him will certainly inspire you and start to get those toes tapping!!

Sign up today for your regular dose of good news. Sign up takes 2 minutes.  By signing up, reading, sharing and liking our articles, you are helping us raise money for the fight against Cystic Fibrosis! Thank you!

Categories
News

Arise Sir Tom

Over the period of the pandemic we have followed the story about Captain Tom Moore’s inspirational journey and we couldn’t forget the next stage in what must have been an amazing few months for him.

On Friday, in the Queen’s only investiture during lockdown, she knighted the man who has been taken to the hearts of the nation. The ceremony took place outdoors at Windsor Castle where he was recognised for raising more than 32 million pounds for NHS charities. Accompanied by his daughter, son-in-law and two of his grandchildren he had the honour bestowed upon him using a sword originally owned by King George VI.

In what must have been an absolutely amazing day for the old soldier  the nations hero officially became Captain Sir Tom Moore. This story took everyone on a journey as Captain Tom initially wanted to raise £1000 for walking 100 laps in his garden. As the total rose so did the love of the nation and his determination and courage made headlines not just in England but all over the world and must surely be the tale of lockdown and with this investiture the happy ending that we all love.

Sign up today for your regular dose of good news. Sign up takes 2 minutes.  By signing up, reading, sharing and liking our articles, you are helping us raise money for the fight against Cystic Fibrosis! Thank you!

Categories
News

And their names are…..

Since researching our last article about the Osprey chicks there has been an update on their names.

The public were asked to come up with names for the three Osprey chicks. We can now announce that the birds have now all been named and these names have certainly captured the mood of the moment. One chick was named Vera after the late Dame Vera Lynn, Captain after Captain Sir Tom Moore and Doddie after the famous Scottish rugby giant Doddie Weir.

They certainly have a lot to do to live up to the inspiration of all three of their namesakes. We wish them well and hope they all live long lives. The live cam footage has proved really popular with audiences and is a great way to see how much the birds have grown and to watch them as they prepare to fledge.

Sign up today for your regular dose of good news. Sign up takes 2 minutes.  By signing up, reading, sharing and liking our articles, you are helping us raise money for the fight against Cystic Fibrosis! Thank you!

Categories
News

A birds eye view

Loch Arkaig was the last known breeding site of ospreys in Britain before the species was wiped out around the time of the First World War. The species has been making a gradual comeback since returning to Loch Garten on Speyside in the 1950s.

Woodland Trust Scotland bought Loch Arkaig Pine Forest in 2016 in partnership with local group Arkaig Community Forest. They have long term plans to restore the ancient forest while stimulating economic activity in the local community. The livestreaming nest camera offers a view of forest life with the aim of publicising the fundraising appeal for the restoration.

The osprey family’s story at Loch Arkaig began in 2017 when an inexperienced young male took possession of the nest. He was nicknamed Lonesome Louis as he had to wait 18 days before attracting a mate. She was named Aila and that first year they raised a single chick – Lachlan. In 2018 all three of the pair’s eggs were taken by a pine marten. In 2019 they successfully raised two female chicks – Rannoch and Mallie.

This year there have been three chicks born and the public have been given the opportunity to name them. So far they have been classified as: tag numbers JJ6, JJ7 and JJ8. They are described as:

  • JJ6: Male. The eldest. Hatched on 29 May. The calm, patient one.
  • JJ8: Female. Hatched 1 June. The born leader!
  • JJ7: Male. Hatched 3 June. The feisty one. Small and had to be assertive to survive.

The birds are expected to take their first flights by the end of the month before migrating south towards the end of August. To enable the public to see these babies cameras have been placed in the nest enabling millions to watch live pictures of the chicks. The Woodland Trust have given the public a chance to name them and are hoping that good names will be chosen. Watch this space for the final choice.

Nature is truly amazing and installing these cameras has given people the chance to see birds that not too many years ago had been wiped out.

Sign up today for your regular dose of good news. Sign up takes 2 minutes.  By signing up, reading, sharing and liking our articles, you are helping us raise money for the fight against Cystic Fibrosis! Thank you!

Categories
News

Cricket says “Thank you NHS”

Despite rain stopping play it was great to see England’s cricket test team back in action yesterday and we are looking forward to seeing the competition resume between the West Indies and England.

A great touch was that on the training kits for the England players the names of NHS staff were printed as a thank you to all of the key workers that have gone over and above during the pandemic.

Ben Stokes is deputising as captain because usual captain Joe Root’s wife is due to give birth and with the players all being kept in a bubble he decided not to play. However he did say:

 “We want to take the time to honour the brave key workers who went into bat for their country under the toughest circumstances. It’s only fitting that we use this series as an opportunity to ‘raise a bat’ in their honour”

England will honour key workers who have helped during the coronavirus pandemic by wearing their names on their training shirts during the #raisethebat Test series against West Indies.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has announced that the three-game series – being held behind closed doors at The Ageas Bowl and Emirates Old Trafford due to the coronavirus pandemic – will be named #raisethebat as a tribute to those cricketing heroes on the frontline.

Sign up today for your regular dose of good news. Sign up takes 2 minutes.  By signing up, reading, sharing and liking our articles, you are helping us raise money for the fight against Cystic Fibrosis! Thank you!

Categories
News

Hair today, gone tomorrow!!

Over the last few months many of our articles have featured links to Coronavirus and the pandemic. It hasn’t always been easy finding good news to spread. Thankfully things are starting to be eased and businesses are taking the first tentative steps of reopening. One of the areas that has linked us all together, or almost all of us, is the fact that we have not been able to visit the hairdresser. Not everybody is in this category, our own Chief Banana has been cutting his Dad’s hair every fortnight. For those of us who throughout lockdown are now counting the days and probably hours until we can get to the hairdressers, that day is almost here. Many hairdressers opened on Saturday and despite all of the restrictions and new rules that need to be followed trade was reported as brisk by many establishments.

Whilst I am one of the many with an appointment in the next few days, I have also grown to love the extra inches that lockdown has allowed me to try. The dilemma that will face many, including me is: Should it stay or should it go? The amusing thing about lockdown hair is that people seem to have embraced the whole experience and nobody would dare to make a comment about hair not being perfect. One thing I do hope is that people remember this and that comments about hair not being perfect are a thing of the past.

It is great news that we can all get our hair cut but definitely take a lesson from lockdown and remember that beauty isn’t about being perfect it is about being the real you. To celebrate your new look why not send us a photo to smilewall@bananacrumble.co.uk and enjoy that first cut!!

Sign up today for your regular dose of good news. Sign up takes 2 minutes.  By signing up, reading, sharing and liking our articles, you are helping us raise money for the fight against Cystic Fibrosis! Thank you!

Categories
News

Abracadabra….

A Saturday tale to make you smile. Whether it is true or a bit of poetic licence has been added the thought of the following did make me laugh, especially with all of the online deliveries that people have had during lockdown.

The box where it asks if you are out do you have any other instructions eg leave with neighbours has always been intriguing. Sometimes when you say leave with neighbours it is thrown over the gate. Are these instructions ever read and then you hear tales like this and you realise that some delivery people really do go the extra mile to make sure those details are followed.

In the tale I heard, as a joke, the person ordering had filled in those extra instructions and said “knock three times, shout abracadabra as loud as you can and then turn and run away.” When the delivery was made the lady who was dropping the parcel followed those instructions to the letter but what she didn’t realise was that the actions were filmed by the camera system in the door bell. I wonder how many times this tale has been told both by the person who gave the instructions and also by the person following them. Certainly made me smile!!

Sign up today for your regular dose of good news. Sign up takes 2 minutes.  By signing up, reading, sharing and liking our articles, you are helping us raise money for the fight against Cystic Fibrosis! Thank you!

Categories
News

Tony – one in a million

Throughout the month of June we have been reporting the inspirational story of double amputee Tony Hudgell who had planned to walk 10km in the month of June to raise money for the Evelina Children’s Hospital. In our last feature we said that five year old Tony had completed the walk and raised over a million pounds. He had pledged to carry on walking until the end of June and on the last day of the month he handed over his cheque to the charity for a massive £1073121.

Before publication of this article we checked on his current total and are pleased to see that it has increased to almost £1.2 million pounds with donations still coming in. When the reporters spoke to Tony they asked what he wanted to buy with the money. With a big grin he said toys!! Tony’s adopted parents could not have looked prouder as their son handed over his cheque. Certainly an inspirational story all round.

Sign up today for your regular dose of good news. Sign up takes 2 minutes.  By signing up, reading, sharing and liking our articles, you are helping us raise money for the fight against Cystic Fibrosis! Thank you!

Categories
News

Prince Louis’s sunflower is winning

Last week was children’s hospice week and during that week raising awareness and funds for all charities linked to this was the main aim. With the Coronavirus pandemic it has made a tough time even harder for many families as they try and support seriously ill children.

The Duchess of Cambridge is an avid spokesperson and supports many children’s charities and hospices. One of her charities is The East Anglia Children’s Hospices (EACH). Last week she returned to Nook, near Norwich in Norfolk to help with work being carried out to create a sensory garden.

Whilst she was there she revealed to a family that her own three children had all been given a sunflower seed. They were encouraged to plant and nurture it and were having a competition to see which one grew the highest. Prince Louis’s sunflower was currently in the lead.

The sunflower is the flower chosen to represent the children’s hospice but it is also a flower that brings happiness and comfort to so many people. Nature is remarkable and I think the pandemic has also made people aware of the amazing things that are happening with nature all around us. We are often too busy or in too much of a hurry to look around us and really appreciate everything. Maybe a love of nature will be something that people won’t take for granted.

Sign up today for your regular dose of good news. Sign up takes 2 minutes.  By signing up, reading, sharing and liking our articles, you are helping us raise money for the fight against Cystic Fibrosis! Thank you!