ParcelABC is a groundbreaking platform that marks a new departure in online courier services. Offering shipping solutions for businesses and consumers, it brings together thousands of local and international carriers and is rapidly earning a reputation that sets it apart from its competitors.

The benefits of using ParcelABC are clear: safe shipping and door-to-door delivery in 3 steps that are as easy as ABC.

How do they do it?

The business concept is based on tracking and using virtually any empty space carriers have at any time. Companies providing nationwide and international pick-up and delivery services often have unused space available in their vehicles operating on one or more of their routes. As a result, customers are always guaranteed a reliable service on the optimum route for their package, as well as the very best price.

Who is it for?

ParcelABC provides a range of shipping options for personal as well as professional use. It is the ideal solution when moving premises either locally or internationally, or for shipping luggage when travelling.

ParcelABC provides a unique ‘delivery to hub’ service that guarantees the most competitive rates on the market for eCommerce companies. For instance, if someone in Manchester wishes to ship 20 packages to Europe or worldwide, instead of making 20 international shipments they can consolidate those shipments into a large box or pallet and deliver them in to a UK or European hub from where ParcelABC will consolidate the packages and send them on to their courier partners in the country of destination where local parcel rates and local delivery options will be used. By using ParcelABC you can convert 20 international shipments into one international delivery and 20 local shipments thereby reducing costs dramatically.

These great savings and a host of delivery options enable businesses to tailor the services to the end consumer’s needs providing the convenience required which, added to the thousands of delivery and pick-up points, ensure maximum flexibility for small and large businesses.

ParcelABC clearly offers the best delivery solutions for businesses and people, as well as opportunities for courier companies to use up their empty space.

In an innovative trial beginning this spring, Trees for Life will harness the power of local mushrooms to boost reforestation at its Dundreggan Conservation Estate in Glenmoriston near Loch Ness.

The conservation charity’s experts and volunteers are to introduce a special mix of spores collected from mushrooms on the Highland estate when planting native trees on the hills and when growing seedlings in Dundreggan’s tree nursery during this spring.

A pinch of the black granules containing the spores will be added to the planting holes of 20,000 trees in one section of the estate, and will also be applied to a selection of seedlings.

The results of this trial will be monitored to see if treating selected trees and seedlings in this way improves their growth and decreases the need for fertiliser application. It is hoped the trees will have greater resistance to drought and heat, and protection against pests.

“In tough, windswept environments such as those where we plant, newly planted trees need all the help they can get – especially in their early years. This magical mushroom mixture could speed up the return of the Caledonian Forest and its wildlife,” said Doug Gilbert, Trees for Life’s Operations Manager at Dundreggan.

Mycorrhizal fungi live underground on tree roots in a mutually beneficial relationship that has evolved over 400 million years. Many plants cannot survive without the fungi. In the autumn, some of these fungi form fruiting bodies, or mushrooms, above the ground.

The trees provide sugars for the fungi and in return, the fungi’s powerful enzymes break down and release nutrients such as phosphorus and iron which helps feed the trees. Young trees inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi suffer much less from heat stress, drought and the shock of planting.

Natural forest soils are full of these important fungi. But in very deforested areas such as the Highlands, forests still containing mushrooms are rare, small or fragmented, and are often separated by huge swathes of farmland and moorland. This means it can take years for fungi spores to land in the right place by newly planted trees – by which time the trees may be stunted or dead.

Last autumn, the first batch of a new mycorrhizal fungi treatment was made containing 59 species collected from the old-growth forests at Dundreggan by expert Jacob Whitson. Commercially available mycorrhizal treatments for trees are usually made from only a few mushroom species that may not be adapted to conditions in Scotland.

“Mycorrhizal fungi are one of our greatest allies for reforesting degraded landscapes – but they have been lost from soils because of issues including deforestation and overgrazing. By reintroducing them we can help trees,” said Jacob, who runs Chaos fungorum, a business supplying native mycorrhizal mixes for trees.

Trees for Life will now begin using the spore-laden granules during its popular volunteer Conservation Weeks running this spring. During these volunteering weeks, participants plant some 130,000 trees a year at Dundreggan, and also grow more than 60,000 trees a year in the estate’s tree nursery.

Trees for Life’s award-winning restoration of the Caledonian Forest also includes taking action for the return of rare woodland wildlife and plants, and carrying out innovative scientific research and education programmes. To find out more, see www.treesforlife.org.uk.

Ends

Investor Contact: Terry Hammett

+1 (614) 289-5384

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE GROUP (CVG) PARTICIPATES IN INTERMAT SHOW IN PARIS

NEW ALBANY, Ohio, April 20, 2018 - Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc. (the "Company" or "CVG"), (NASDAQ: CVGI), a leading supplier of fully-integrated system solutions for the global commercial vehicle market, announced today that it will participate in INTERMAT, the leading trade fair for construction machinery, in Paris, France, from April 23rd to 28th 2018.

CVG is displaying the SCIOX range of seats, a new generation seat line for the Construction vehicle markets. The SCIOX product line is being marketed under the KAB Seating brand for the Global market. KAB Seating has been a leading player in the vehicle seating market supplying to major equipment manufacturers since 1968 with extensive expertise in the construction sector. The SCIOX range of seats has been developed to offer major feature improvements which enhance the overall performance of the seat for the user such as:

● Improved cushion comfort;

● Engineered foam deflection combined with deeper bolsters reducing stress and strain on the driver;

● An adjustable damping system with improved response over rough terrain; and

● A new occupant sensor with higher sensitivity specifications focused on driver’s comfort and safety.

Dave Anderson, Product Line Director for EMEA, explains "KAB Seating has been a leader bringing to the market comfortable and reliable seating solutions since 1968. Our new generation SCIOX seat line reflects this heritage with a modular platform and leading automotive styling, covering materials and comfort. We believe SCIOX will enhance our reputation for high performing, durable seating systems.”

The new KAB Seating SCIOX line-up will be on display for a wide range of medium and large construction vehicle applications, alongside a selection of the existing KAB construction seats with increased levels of customizable options and styling to tailor the seat to the customer's liking.

Various other product lines will be on display for commercial applications. Attendees are invited to visit the KAB Seating booth located in Hall 5A / Stand H 072.

About Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc.

Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc. (and its subsidiaries) is a leading supplier of a full range of cab related products and systems for the global commercial vehicle market, including the medium- and heavy-duty truck market, the medium- and heavy-duty construction vehicle market, and the military, bus, agriculture, specialty transportation, mining, industrial equipment and off-road recreational markets. Information about the Company and its products is available on the internet at www.cvgrp.com.

April 20th 2018

Save the date for an activity-packed Family Fun Day this May

Motorcycle stunt riders, live music and supercar passenger rides are just a few of the excellent activities planned for the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance annual Family Fun Day at North Weald Airbase on Sunday 20th May.

Brimming with entertainment, activities, local food and drink and much more, the all-day event is the finishing point of this year’s Motorcycle Run, which will see hundreds of motorcyclists embark on a 60-mile ride from Welwyn Garden City to North Weald to raise vital funds for the Charity.

The popular Motorcycle Run and Family Fun Day is one of the Air Ambulance’s biggest events and last year, a convoy of 800 motorcyclists raised thousands of pounds, in addition to 1,200 visitors at the Family Fun Day.

Jen Wall, Events Manager at Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, said: “The Motorcycle Run is always a fabulous event and this year’s one will be no exception. We have so many exciting things for people to enjoy that they will be spoilt for choice!”

Visitors will be delighted with the excellent range of live music that will keep everyone entertained and dancing throughout the day. Hertfordshire bands The Chevrons, Missing Cat and DeVience will perform everything from vintage 60s classics and blues to funk and rock.

There will be plenty of local stalls to browse on the day while thrill seekers can experience a hover craft and supercar passenger rides at the Car Limits stand. Pre-book a slot on the Car Limits website and use the promotional code AIRAMB to receive a 10% discount. The company will be making a donation to the Air Ambulance from proceeds raised on the day.

For motorcycle beginners the ART Rider Training School will be on hand to demonstrate how to ride safely.

If you’d rather sit back, relax and enjoy the show, then don’t miss On the Edge, a team of the world’s best stunt riders, who will put on a show not to be missed. Just remember – don’t try it at home!

A Family Fun Day would not be complete without a range of food stalls selling delicious dishes to suit all tastes. Whether you’re looking for a hog roast, fish and chips or burgers, you’re sure to find something to tuck into during the day.

Jen added: “Whether you are looking for a great day out or you love classic motorbikes, the Family Fun Day at North Weald is a great event to come and enjoy. There’s something for everyone so don’t miss out! You’ll also be supporting our life-saving Charity that couldn’t operate without the support of all those taking part in the Motorcycle Run, visitors to the Fun Day, our volunteers, sponsors, local businesses and staff.

“We look forward to seeing everyone on the day and wish our motorcyclists a safe journey. We’ll be greeting them at the finish line!”

Pre-registration to take part in the Motorcycle Run is open until 11th May. For more details visit https://ehaat.org/events/motorcycle-run-north-weald-family-fun-day/

-ENDS-

Photograph: Visitors to the 2017 Motorcycle Run and Family Fun Day

For more information please contact the Communications Team on 0345 2417 690.

Notes to Editor:

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) is a Charity that provides a Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) for the critically ill and injured of Essex, Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas.

The service is provided free of charge but, unlike NHS emergency services, the Charity receives no direct funding from the Government or National Lottery. It costs £500,000 every month to keep the service operational and saving lives, and this would not be possible without the generosity and goodwill of people and businesses of Essex, Hertfordshire and beyond.

Each of the Charity’s HEMS teams consist of two Pilots, a Pre-hospital Care Doctor and a Critical Care Paramedic.

These teams, made up of highly-skilled individuals, tended to 1077 patients in 2016 and are the backbone of your local life-saving Charity.

The fleet, consisting of two Air Ambulances, and four Rapid Response Vehicles (RRVs - cars) operates seven days a week from 7am to 9pm. After sunset, the Critical Care Team continues to provide the service using Rapid Response Vehicles.

In addition, a Rapid Response Vehicle is operational on a Friday and Saturday evening from 6pm until 2am with a Pre-hospital Care Doctor and Critical Care Paramedic.

Online short-term loan lender, Uncle Buck, have appointed full-service digital marketing agency Absolute Digital to enhance its online performance and overall search visibility.

Uncle Buck has been operating since 2004 and is fully authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority, providing a quick, short-term loan solution to those facing a financial emergency.

Absolute Digital CEO Ben Austin commented: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Uncle Buck to help them enhance their organic online visibility. Operating in such a competitive industry can be challenging, but our expert team has proven experience delivering tangible results for clients in this sector. We look forward to driving Uncle Buck to success.”

Absolute Digital’s client portfolio includes National Autistic Society, Neopost, TGA Mobility, EF Medispa, Uncle Buck and Glyn Hopkin.

If you’d like to be a part of the client portfolio which is currently reaping search engine success through the implementation of bespoke digital marketing campaigns, get in touch with a member of our expert team, or our CEO on 01245 287 864.

A doting dad, who refused to let the ‘Beast from the East’ get in the way of his fundraising efforts, has raised an over £1,200 for The Sick Children’s Trust as thanks for supporting his family with free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation after his son was born seriously ill.

Tim Prosser, 40, from Basildon, spent hours pounding the pavements in the run up to the Brentwood Half Marathon, due to take place last month. However, following the UK’s worst weather in decades, the event had to be cancelled for the first time in 37 years. Determined not to let this stop him, Tim carried on with his fundraising mission and, regardless of the weather, completed his own virtual half marathon a few weeks later.

When Tim’s son, Jack, was born he was starved of oxygen for ten minutes and was rushed from Southend University Hospital to The Royal London Children’s Hospital – miles from his family’s home in Essex. On arrival at the specialist paediatric hospital, Jack underwent emergency cooling treatment where his body temperature was reduced for 78 hours in an attempt to lower the risk of him suffering from any long-term brain damage. Whilst Jack was being treated Tim, and his wife Victoria were given a room at Stevenson House, run by The Sick Children’s Trust, just minutes from their son’s incubator. Dad, Tim, who has since raised over £1,200 for The Sick Children’s Trust, says:

“I was so disappointed when the Brentwood Half Marathon was cancelled. I began looking into other half marathons that I could run instead to justify everyone’s support and sponsorship, but they were all months away. When the organisers said I could complete the race virtually, I was thrilled and jumped at the chance.

“It was a really surreal experience – the roads remained open and there weren’t any spectators to cheer me towards the finish line. Luckily a friend of mine offered to cycle the route alongside me, which really helped to keep me motivated – especially when I hit the wall at 11 miles!

“I’m delighted with how much money I have managed to raise for this amazing charity. I’ve had incredible support from lots of family and friends and the general public, who heard what I was doing and took the time to visit my fundraising page. Because of all their support, more families will be able to stay together, just minutes from their loved one’s hospital bedside.”

The Sick Children’s Trust runs ten ‘Homes from Home’ across the country, supporting families with seriously ill children undergoing specialist treatment in paediatric hospitals across the country. The charity relies entirely on voluntary donations and it costs £30 to support a family for one night. Vicki Roots, Community Fundraising Officer at The Sick Children’s Trust, says:

“Everyone at The Sick Children’s Trust has been amazed by Tim’s determination to complete his fundraising challenge for us despite the dreadful weather. When he first told me that the race was cancelled I really felt for him because I knew just how much hard work he had put into training.

“The money Tim has raised will make a big difference and help support even more families, like the Prossers, who need a ‘Home from Home’ when their child is seriously ill in hospital.

“We’d like to say a huge congratulations to Tim and a massive thank you for choosing to raise money for The Sick Children’s Trust.”

To read more about Tim’s fundraising mission, please visit his fundraising page at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tim-prosser1

For further information about The Sick Children’s Trust, please visit http://www.sickchildrenstrust.org/

April 23rd 2018

Finale to a year of celebrations for Essex & Herts Air Ambulance

As a finale to a year of celebrations marking 20 years of saving lives across Essex, Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) is holding an Evening of Celebration at Chelmsford Cathedral on Tuesday 22nd May.

It will pay tribute to the volunteers and supporters who have donated time and money to enable the Charity to provide the best possible life-saving service and pre-hospital care to patients.

The evening, which will be introduced by CEO Jane Gurney will look back at how the Charity has grown, from one Airbase to two, from one Charity Shop to six, and to the purchase of our own helicopter, the AgustaWestland 169.

Jane Gurney said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to bring staff, volunteers and supporters together at the end of what has been a remarkable year of celebrations marking our 20th anniversary. The organisation has made such amazing progress since it began with a single helicopter back in 1998, and I am really looking forward to celebrating on this day with many of the people who have made that possible.”

Guest speakers will include our Critical Care Paramedic Tony Stone, providing an insight into life as a Crew member as well as his experience in his new role as Patient Liaison Manager. The New Hall School choir will keep guests entertained.

With an opportunity to meet and chat to the EHAAT Crew, Staff and Volunteers, those attending will get a chance to see how they all contribute to keeping their local Air Ambulance operational.

To obtain a free ticket for the event, visit https://ehaat.org/events/evening-of-celebration/ Groups of 10 or more are asked to call 0345 2417 690.

-ENDS-

Photograph: Jane Gurney, CEO of Essex & Herts Air Ambulance

For more information please contact the Communications Team on 0345 2417 690.

Notes to Editor:

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) is a Charity that provides Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) for the critically ill and injured of Essex, Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas.

The service is provided free of charge but, unlike NHS emergency services, the Charity receives no direct funding from the Government or National Lottery. It costs £500,000 every month to keep the service operational and saving lives, and this would not be possible without the generosity and goodwill of people and businesses of Essex, Hertfordshire and beyond.

Each of the Charity’s HEMS teams consist of two Pilots, a Pre-hospital Care Doctor and a Critical Care Paramedic.

These teams, made up of highly-skilled individuals, tended to 1077 patients in 2016 and are the backbone of your local life-saving Charity.

The fleet, consisting of two Air Ambulances, and four Rapid Response Vehicles (RRVs - cars) operates seven days a week from 7am to 9pm. After sunset, the Critical Care Team continues to provide the service using Rapid Response Vehicles.

In addition, a Rapid Response Vehicle is operational on a Friday and Saturday evening from 6pm until 2am with a Pre-hospital Care Doctor and Critical Care Paramedic.

Six steps form one giant leap towards an accredited qualification.

Over 5,500 childminders across Scotland, and those entering the childcare sector, now have access to an accredited Work Based Award that recognises and values the unique form of childcare they provide, thanks to the launch of the Complete Childminding Learning Pathway. The Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) working with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) have developed the Work Based Award that is credit rated at Level 7 on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework.

Dr Janet Brown, SQA Chief Executive, said: “This new Work Based Award will give childminders the opportunity to be recognised for the skills and knowledge they developed throughout their careers. The new qualification will also help to raise the profile of childminders and the vital role they play within Scotland’s early learning and childcare landscape.”

SQA officially launched the Work Based Award on Saturday 21 April at their offices in Glasgow and learners are likely to be those interested in becoming a professional childminder or wishing to widen and develop their knowledge and skills for continuous professional learning. Speaking about these learning opportunities, James Dornan MSP, and Convener on the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee said: “It is well known that education is the defining mission of our government. Lifelong learning is a huge part of this and the launch of the Complete Childminding Learning Pathway is now ensuring that childminders have a recognised route that very much supports the unique form of childcare which they provide. It is excellent news that childminders taking part in the Award will gain accreditation of their prior learning and, of course, it will be the children in their care who will be the main beneficiaries. The whole focus is on the needs of children and I welcome this Work Based Award within the Early Learning and Childcare sector.”

Six Work Based Units make up the steps that form one giant leap towards an accredited qualification and commenting on its launch, Maggie Simpson, Chief Executive of SCMA said: “SCMA has worked closely with SQA to launch this Work Based Award that has now established a learning and development pathway for childminders. It supports the commitment of the Scottish Government in the Blueprint Action Plan, to help secure a role for childminders, and will allow them to gain accreditation for their prior learning whilst working towards a recognised qualification.

“This is good news and ultimately will help to professionalise our sector in line with proposals in the Blueprint for 2020 Expansion of ELC in Scotland - ELC Service Model for 2020 which is currently out for consultation.”

The Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) Service Model for 2020: Consultation Paper, aims to set out the ‘Funding Follows the Child’ approach for funded ELC and the Scottish Government is now consulting widely on the proposed National Standard, which will set out quality criteria for all services that provide funded ELC.

Minister for Childcare and Early Years Maree Todd, said: “I’m very pleased to welcome the launch of this Work Based Award for childminders. We are committed to making Scotland the best place to grow up, with every child given the best chance to succeed and fulfil their potential, and childminders have a key role in that.

“They support many children and families across Scotland and will also play an important part in the delivery of the expanded funded Early Learning and Childcare provision in the years to come.

“This Work Based Award will help ensure that more childminders are recognised professionally for the high-quality service they provide.”

Barbara Dennistoun, who is a childminder and Convener of SCMA is set to start her journey on the pathway. She added: “During my career I have always actively engaged in learning, so I am really pleased that this qualification is accredited and will recognise my prior learning. As a childminder, my work is always focused on the needs of the children in my care to ensure the best possible start in life for them. My work is still all about children, but the Childminding Learning Pathway will help professionalise my career and reflect the excellent service provided by childminders throughout Scotland.”

When she was just three weeks old Darcy collapsed in my arms and had to be resuscitated. It was terrifying, but thankfully we were already at Ulster Hospital when it happened. I had known there was something wrong with my baby – call it a mother’s instinct – and, against the midwife’s advice, I had taken her to my local A&E.

Our story would have been a very different had we not already been at the hospital when Darcy stopped breathing and that is a thought that has haunted me ever since.

Once Darcy was stable, we were immediately rushed to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children with a police escort. Darcy underwent all sorts of tests in order to try to determine why she had suddenly stopped breathing. It was incredibly scary to know there was something wrong with her and in that situation I think one’s default position is to fear the worst. Darcy was diagnosed with cardiac dysrhythmia, which is an abnormal heartbeat. An ECG scan had revealed she had tachycardia, which meant her heart was beating life-threateningly fast.

From that point onwards Darcy, who is almost 14, has been under the care of a fantastic consultant paediatric cardiologist, Dr Brian Craig. With regular check-ups throughout her life and copious amounts of medication Darcy has been, for the most part, very well. As a child she had a few hospital admissions when things flared up, but on the whole the medication she took kept her condition under control and she lived a relatively normal life.

Over the past couple of years, however, the medication seemed to become less effective. Eventually she was on such a high dose that there wasn’t much more Dr Craig could do. The cardiac dysrhythmia was really affecting her quality of life. She was exhausted and had little energy. We even had to cancel her 13th birthday party because she was so unwell and she would often be sent home from school because her heart would go into episodes of tachycardia. It was so upsetting to see my brave girl struggling to keep up with her peers and so, after much debate, the decision was made that Darcy would undergo a catheter ablation. This is a procedure where thin, flexible tubes, called catheters, are passed through the blood vessels to the heart. The catheters record the heart’s electrical activity and pinpoint where the abnormal heartbeat is coming from. This area of the heart muscle is then destroyed using heat, which creates scar tissue and prevents the area conducting electricity thus eliminating the abnormal heartbeat. However, because the Royal Belfast could no longer carry out any heart surgeries, we would need to travel all the way to Newcastle upon Tyne in Northern England for the operation.

And so we found ourselves at Freeman Hospital on a Sunday morning, five days before Darcy’s scheduled procedure. We had assumed we would be staying within the hospital, so it was a huge relief to find out about The Sick Children’s Trust. When we were told about the charity and that we could stay in a ‘Home from Home’ called Scott House with a private bedroom, kitchen facilities and a direct phone line to the hospital, all totally free of charge, and just a few minutes’ walk from where Darcy was to have the catheter ablation, I couldn’t believe it.

Darcy had to come off all medication before the procedure because the surgeon needed her heart to misbehave in order to locate the heart tissue causing the dysrhythmia, which meant it was important we were close to the hospital in case something went wrong. However, she had been really anxious about being stuck on the ward with children much younger than her. So she was over the moon when the team at Scott House told us there was room for her to stay too!

Being in Scott House felt a lot more age appropriate and in the days leading up to her operation Darcy was able to relax there. She could FaceTime her friends, watch television and be a teenager. My husband, Gareth, brought her siblings over from Ireland, and, although they stayed in a hotel nearby, during the day we all hung out together in Scott House. I have a lasting memory of us all eating takeaway pizza in one of the two kitchens there, with my 18 month old baby, Sebastian, becoming wildly excited by the well-stocked playroom!

On the morning of Darcy’s operation we woke up in Scott House and headed over to the hospital at 7am. It was a nerve-racking few hours whilst she underwent the catheter ablation, but within no time she was back on the ward and recovering well. By that evening we were back in Scott House. Darcy was groggy from all the medication and didn’t feel very well, but at least she was in a comfortable bed in a homely environment and by the next morning was back on FaceTime to all her friends in Ireland, who had been so worried about her the day before. She definitely made the most of the Scott House Wi-Fi!

The procedure has been life changing for Darcy. Her recovery was quicker than anybody could have hoped for and her quality of life has been transformed. My gorgeous girl has infinitely more energy and no longer has to take medication three times a day. This means simple things, like suddenly deciding to stay over at her friends’ houses is possible, where as in the past her medication dictated her movements. Although she is still under the care of Dr Craig, the hope is that it won’t be long before she is fully discharged!

We will never forget Scott House and the eight days we spent there. From the incredible facilities to the lovely staff, it was such a comfort to us when we found ourselves at a hospital miles from home. The Sick Children’s Trust truly is an amazing charity that makes all the difference to families like ours.

Leanne Fulton, Darcy Hoffman’s mum.

About The Sick Children’s Trust

The Sick Children’s Trust is working to a future where every family with a seriously ill child in hospital will be able to stay together, just minutes from their child’s bed during their treatment.

We believe keeping families together significantly improves the recovery of seriously ill children. We provide free, high-quality ‘Home from Home’ accommodation, as well as emotional and practical support, to families with sick children in hospital in the UK.

The Sick Children’s Trust was founded in 1982 by two paediatric specialists Dr Jon Pritchard and Professor James Malpas. Today we have ten ‘Homes from Home’ at major hospitals around the country where families can stay free of charge.

We support 4,000 families every year, and there is a growing demand for our ‘Homes from Home’ as children must increasingly travel long distances to get the specialist treatment they need. www.sickchildrenstrust.org

50 PAIRS OF TICKETS TO SEE CATTLE & CANE AND SNEAK PREVIEW OF NEWLY REFURBISHED MIDDLESBROUGH TOWN HALL!

On Friday 4 May 2018, Cattle & Cane and Cape Cub will play an exclusive ‘Up Close & Personal’ gig to just 100 lucky guests at Middlesbrough Town Hall as part of the continuing celebrations leading up to the official reopening of the Town Hall at the end of May after a £7.7m refurbishment. The event will take place in the intimate setting of the Town Hall’s Courtroom which has never before been open to the general public.

Led by siblings Joe and Helen Hammill, Cattle & Cane are capable of shifting even the hardest of hearts with their perfect soaring harmonies. After spending 2017 sharing stages with the likes of Tom Odell, Brian Wilson and The Head & The Heart, not to mention performing countless sold-out headline dates across the UK, C&C have rightly earned a reputation as one of the North East's most magical live acts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t85g7AkaA3U

Hailing from the shores of the North East coast, Cape Cub is the project of emerging producer and songwriter Chad Male. The musician garnered a tidal wave of online attention after his song 'Swim' found its way to the top of the Hype Machine chart and gained national airplay via BBC Radio 1. With over 20 million streams on Spotify and support slots with the likes of Fickle Friends, Picture This, Sunset Sons and Clean Cut Kid already under his belt, it's no surprise that The 405 reckon ‘His talent shines so brightly that it should be pretty clear that there are some big things in store for him.’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASpDvnhvrl0

To be in with a chance of grabbing some tickets for this ‘money can’t buy’ event just go to https://www.townhallgig.co.uk and enter your details. Fifty winners will be chosen at random on 27 April with each winner receiving a pair of tickets to attend the exclusive gig on Friday 4 May, from 4pm - 5:30pm.

On Friday 8 June, the band will headline at the newly renovated main hall of Middlesbrough Town Hall, when they’ll be joined by the Northern Orchestra for a very special concert. Tickets available from (https://www.middlesbroughtownhall.co.uk/whats-on/)

Catch them up close and personal before then with this stripped back acoustic performance before the band head to Toronto for the prestigious Canadian Music Week.

middlesbroughtownhall.co.uk | twitter.com/mbro_townhall

facebook.com/MiddlesbroughTownHall | instagram.com/middlesbrough_townhall

www.middlesbrough.gov.uk

Follow Middlesbrough Council on Twitter: @MbroCouncil

No silver bullet but plenty of ammunition: digital devices for schools

At a recent roundtable event in London a number leading education thinkers pondered the now decades old question – how can we provide one to one digital device access for all pupils in our schools? They concluded that without training, support and leadership the holy grail of one-to-one will still elude many pupils and thus perpetuate the digital divide.

Compared with the business world, education has been slow to adopt technology. However, while there is no silver bullet for embedding technology for the purpose of learning and teaching in schools, there is plenty of ammunition from which to construct a series of arguments and practices to change school culture for that purpose. And, despite persistent media sniping about the effectiveness of investment in technology for schools, the landscape is already changing. Schools are adopting technology, and learning and teaching is changing. The problem is that it is very patchy, with many schools moving ahead while others are struggling or even falling behind.

This was the picture that emerged at a special education discussion about 1:1 computing held in London and organised by classoos UK, an innovative, UK-based company that has created a new and compelling digital platform for textbooks for schools. The debate, involving experienced educators working with technology for learning and teaching, was considering “1:1 computing - what needs to happen before schools use the powerful devices that almost all children already have access to?”

Tim Clark director of classoos UK chaired the panel session. His assessment of digital device adoption is that, “virtually everyone in business uses a smartphone, tablet and computer and is clear about why, how and where to use them. Most secondary school students have their own mobile phones, usually turned off at school, and their own tablets or computers at home. Should they be able to use technology with the same ease as the rest of us for their learning? “Would that be a good thing?” he asked, “and if so what has to occur to make that happen? What has to change?”’

Matt Britland, director of digital strategy at Lady Eleanor Holles School, London, who is supporting the introduction of classoos in his school explained, “I recently rolled out a 1:1 iPads scheme to 686 students and about 120 members of staff in the senior school. We also have a 1:1 iPads scheme with Years 5 and 6.” The key to successful implementation was staff training and making sure staff and students have access to all the resources they need. One surprise was that some of the most cynical users were students who complained that they could not use technology for learning (they thought of them more as devices for playing games or something to use for social media).

Richard Bailey schools technology manager for the Girls' Day School Trust (GDST) was also on the panel to explain the importance of developing technology use across the group as a community of schools: “We want to build knowledge and link it to strategy so that the technology is supporting the teaching not driving it.”

Tony Parkin a former teacher, and for many years head of technology development for the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust lamented the move from a college of school leadership to a teacher regulation agency and the gradual loss of a national strategic view for ICT. “The danger of one-to-one is that it became a mantra,” he observed. “Rather than people looking strategically at the benefits - and lack of benefits - from one-to-one, the trouble is that one-to-one done badly can be isolating for each individual. What I always try to do is to get people working in pairs with technology because often the most important thing that happens is interaction between the people sharing the device. So for me there is a place for one-to-one and I would say that sharing textbooks is a nightmare so, if using a device as an alternative to a printed textbook, 1:1 is probably the only way to go.”

University of Roehampton computing lecturer Miles Berry (“training the next generation of outstanding teachers “) pointed out that institutions were developing new expectations of students. “I think that in areas where there is a degree of independent autonomous learning taking place, one-to-one is pretty close to default provision,” he commented. “In fact one-to-one wasn’t a sufficiently high ratio for my students this morning; most of them had two screens with them and some had three. By the time they get to university they are expected to bring a laptop with them. It’s not a course requirement but trying to do the course with just the institution providing technology would be incredibly frustrating.”

“They have their phones and the phone is where they connect and contact. it’s also the medium on which they take notes so we don’t feel we have to control what they do with this technology. Similarly young children are using iPads.”

While not every child has an iPad, “increasingly there are those who do”. And parents who can afford to do so now buy mobile phones for their children “as a means to keeping them safe”.

One striking element to emerge from the discussion was that when you take the sheer newness of devices away from the technology debate clear themes emerge that have little to do with tech and everything to do with people and support. After all, thousands of years ago writing on tablets of stone was considered as modern as we think of our own digital tablets.

To read the report in full –

https://www.classoos.com/no-silver-bullet-plenty-ammunition-digital-devices-schools/

@classoos_edu

Cyberjaya, Malaysia, 24th of April, 2018 – Xhai Studios (“Xhai”) a mobile game developer and publisher, based in Kuala Lumpur, announced today that it will be using NEM Blockchain Technology to be integrated into its games.

Xhai Studios is working on a mobile game that is described as revolutionary in terms of play-ability and entertainment, enhancing the industry of mobile games.

CEO of Xhai Studios Sami Abuzarifa highlighted that the new game will leave an impact on the mobile game sector with it’s amazing game mechanics, storyline, and graphics.

“We want to create a game not only for the crypto market but also for the gamers communities, and to introduce them to NEM blockchain through our new game. We are creating a fun and versatile entertaining application that will include a XEM wallet integrated inside the game which users can utilize to transact in-app purchases” says Sami Abuzarifa, CEO of Xhai Studios

Ballzy is the title of the new game which Xhai Studios will publish in Q3 2018. It is an infinite runner game with both campaign and scoring modes. Unlike most other infinite-runner games, Ballzy will be rich in storyline, playability and creativity.There are many games that are infinite runners but Ballzy will include crisp and detailed 3D graphics, as well designed stages with missions. Among others, “Ballzy will include a NEM wallet integrated inside the game to transact using XEM tokens”.

Gamers will be able to top up XEM tokens in their wallet using Google Pay or Apple Pay and through a backend dashboard, all the funds are then converted to XEM tokens and be sent to the XEM wallet inside the game to enable in-game app purchases.

According to The Xhai Team “Ballzy is an ambitious project, we want to encourage the crypto community to play our game but also the non-crypto community to enjoy a beautiful game that has a XEM wallet integrated in it. A unique storyline and boss battles”

Ballzy main storyline will be about a ball which is tired of getting kicked around by hooligans and finally standing up with other balls to fight them. It will introduce r­­elatable protagonists with their own unique characteristics and personalities suitable for both kids and adults. The characters are unlockable and customizable. It’ll have a solid storyline to an infinite runner with many missions and objectives. Ballzy game mechanics and storyline is really creative and addictive diverse gameplay with boss fights, upgrades, changing environments and many abilities to use in game. It’ll also have incredible in-app purchases store where users can buy different characters, power-ups, new levels, unlock new challenges and many more.

-------------

About Xhai Studios

Xhai Studios (“Xhai”) is an innovative mobile game developer and publisher company founded in Cyberjaya, Malaysia by Sami Abuzarifa. Xhai has developed games for clients as well as published its own games and is now prepared to break new ground by applying blockchain technology to publish state-of-the-art games. For more information please visit: www.xhaistudios.com / www.ballzygame.com

About NEM.io Foundation

NEM.io Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Singapore, set up to promote NEM’s blockchain technology globally. It is currently one of the most well-funded and successful blockchain technology projects in the cryptocurrency industry.For more information, please visit: www.nem.io

April 24th 2018

New route for Essex & Herts Air Ambulance’s Spring Motorcycle Run

Cruise from Welwyn to North Weald this Spring and support a great cause

Organisers of Essex & Herts Air Ambulance’s Spring Motorcycle Run on May 20th have introduced a new route for this year’s event, which will also welcome learner riders for the first time. Starting at Police HQ in Welwyn Garden and ending at the North Weald Family Fun Day on North Weald Airfield.

Last year’s event attracted over 3,000 bikers to the Family Fun Day at North Weald, with hundreds of local families joining the crowds to raise over £13,500 for the Charity.

Bikers will be led by professional Police outriders from their HQ in Welwyn to North Weald Airfield, home of the Charity’s new helicopter, the AgustaWestland 169. Learner riders can gain tips on safe riding and riding as part of pack on the Charity’s website, or can be set up with a more experienced “biker buddy” on the day for advice and tips.

At North Weald the fun continues for families and riders alike. Formerly the Essex Motorcycle Show, North Weald Family Fun Day will run with a suggested donation of £5 to assist with covering the event’s costs, and will include trade stands, entertainment from stunt team On the Edge, live music, Kids Zone, as well as an all-important Safety Zone. It’s also the perfect spot to see thousands of bikes arrive at the airfield.

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Volunteer and Events Lead Jen Wall, said: “We know that last year’s Welwyn to North Weald Motorcycle Run was a great day for the riders, and we believe the new route will be even more popular. We are looking forward to welcoming even more riders to this celebration of biking and of our ties with the biking community. We hope that everyone will ride safely and have a memorable day out.”

Registration for the event, which is supported by sponsors, Woodlands Group and Specialist Aviation Services is £10 for a single rider and £15 for a rider and pillion. Essex & Herts Air Ambulance always encourages riders to collect sponsorship, but understands that it can be hard to find the time to raise the money. This year they have introduced a sponsorship ticket at £40 for a rider or £45 for a rider and pillion, which includes the £10/£15 registration fee and £30 in sponsorship.

Book your bike a place now on www.ehaat.org/events-calendar or call the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Events Team on 0345 5040 055.

Throughout the Motorcycle Run and Family Fun Day, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance will be using the hashtags #RideSafe and #MotorcycleRun to raise awareness of their safety message and to promote the event.

Photograph: Last year’s event attracted thousands of bikers to North Weald Airfield.

For more information please contact the Communications Team on 0345 2417 690.

Notes to Editor:

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) is a Charity that provides a Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) for the critically ill and injured of Essex, Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas.

The service is provided free of charge but, unlike NHS emergency services, the Charity receives no direct funding from the Government or National Lottery. It costs £500,000 every month to keep the service operational and saving lives, and this would not be possible without the generosity and goodwill of people and businesses of Essex, Hertfordshire and beyond.

Each of the Charity’s HEMS teams consist of two Pilots, a Pre-hospital Care Doctor and a Critical Care Paramedic.

These teams, made up of highly-skilled individuals, tended to 1077 patients in 2016 and are the backbone of your local life-saving Charity.

The fleet, consisting of two Air Ambulances, and four Rapid Response Vehicles (RRVs - cars) operates seven days a week from 7am to 9pm. After sunset, the Critical Care Team continues to provide the service using Rapid Response Vehicles.

In addition, a Rapid Response Vehicle is operational on a Friday and Saturday evening from 6pm until 2am with a Pre-hospital Care Doctor and Critical Care Paramedic.

“Make Lambeth Age Friendly!”

Manifesto from Age UK Lambeth for the London Borough Council Elections

Against the background of a crisis in adult social care, Age UK Lambeth wants to make Lambeth Age Friendly, with a brand new manifesto for the upcoming London borough council elections on May 3rd. Diana Kahn, the Chair of Age UK Lambeth, says

“I call on all candidates in the Lambeth local elections in May 2018 to support this manifesto from Age UK's in London. Age UK's across London are committed to making sure that older people in London, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality or circumstance, are able to enjoy a fulfilling and valued life, and we hope that whatever your political party you will state your support for this aim and the recommendations in this manifesto.” The full manifesto can be downloaded from the Age UK London website: https://bit.ly/2Gecod1

Age UK Lambeth calls on candidates in the London borough council elections to commit to making changes in five key areas:

2. Age Friendly Boroughs and Neighbourhoods: We call on candidates to:

3. Better Communication with Older People: We call on candidates to:

4. Make London’s Housing Age Friendly: We call on candidates to:

5. Accessible Transport for Older Londoners: We call on candidates to:

As London grows, the number of older Londoners is increasing too. A socially and economically diverse group, older Londoners contribute massively to every borough of the capital, as workers, volunteers, carers, and much more besides. However, a large number of older Londoners are living below the poverty line and the pressure on local government finances has driven adult social care to breaking point. Action must be taken to ensure London can remain a great place to grow older.

A little girl who tragically passed away when she was just six years old has inspired a local woman to donate her wedding venue to The Sick Children’s Trust to help the charity raise vital funds to keep families together with their sick child while they undergo hospital treatment.

Local businesswoman, Kim Grace, owner of Gracious Styling, was due to get married on Saturday 5 May at the prestigious Carlton Towers. However, following the cancellation of her wedding, Kim made the generous decision to donate the venue to The Sick Children’s Trust so that the charity can launch its Big Chocolate Tea campaign with an exquisite Afternoon Tea. The event is to be held in honour of Kayleigh Logg, whose family were supported by the charity.

In 2010, Kayleigh, from Castleford, was diagnosed with leukaemia and required specialist care at Leeds Children’s Hospital. For a year, Kayleigh was in and out of the hospital undergoing intense chemotherapy treatment and later a bone marrow transplant. Sadly, despite her brave fight, Kayleigh passed away in November 2011. During her time at Leeds Children’s Hospital, The Sick Children’s Trust supported Kayleigh’s parents Nicola and Paul, alongside sister Lorna, with free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation at its Eckersley House, just minutes from Kayleigh’s hospital bedside.

On Saturday 5 May, Carlton Towers will open its doors to supporters of The Sick Children’s Trust for an exclusive Afternoon Tea event to raise money to support more families like Kayleigh’s when their child is seriously ill in hospital. Mum Nicola, who stayed at Eckersley House for 164 days, says:

“When Kayleigh was poorly, Eckersley House became such a huge part of our life. We only live in Castleford, which is about 15 miles from Leeds, but anything more than five minutes is too far when your child is critically ill in hospital. We all just wanted to be together and at Eckersley House we could be.

“When my friend told me that Kim had chosen to donate her wedding package to The Sick Children’s Trust because of Kayleigh’s story I was delighted. I called Eckersley House Manager Jane straight away to tell her the good news! Jane and the team at Eckersley House are like family to us, we got to know them during our time in the ‘Home from Home’ and they were always there to have a chat to.

“Because of Eckersley House we could be at Kayleigh’s bedside, day or night, to comfort her and hold her hand. We didn’t want to be anywhere else nor did we have to be because The Sick Children’s Trust was there for us.

“We have never forgotten the emotional and practical support Eckersley House gave us. Over the years, we’ve fundraised for the charity but Kim’s donation has reignited it. I’ve decided to fulfil one of Kayleigh’s wishes, which was to do a skydive to raise money for the charity! I’m absolutely petrified but there will be six of us facing our fears. We have also invited Kim to join us on the challenge, because if it wasn’t for her, none of this would be happening.”

The Sick Children’s Trust runs ten ‘Homes from Home’ across the country supporting families with seriously ill children in hospital. In Yorkshire, there are three houses supporting families with children undergoing treatment at Sheffield Children’s Hospital and Leeds Children’s Hospital. Although accommodation is provided free of charge to families it costs the charity £30 to support a family for one night. Money raised from Afternoon Tea at Carlton Towers will go directly to running these houses in order to support more families with children in hospital. Kim Grace, who is helping to coordinate the event, says:

“I wanted to turn a negative into a positive and once I heard about the support that The Sick Children’s Trust had given Kayleigh’s family I knew what I had to do.

“Tickets to Afternoon Tea at Carlton Towers cost £20 and guests can expect a great time filled with cakes, sandwiches and a glass of fizz! To buy tickets and find out more about The Sick Children’s Trust, please visit the charity’s website.”

To book your tickets, please visit: http://www.sickchildrenstrust.org/Get_involved/Special_Events/Afternoon_Tea_/index.html

For further information about The Sick Children’s Trust, please visit http://www.sickchildrenstrust.org/

2017 was the most successful year to date for marketing at Ashley Community Housing. We increased our social media following, had press coverage nearly every month, and ran a number of hugely successful events in the West of England and the West Midlands.

We also won an unprecedented number of national awards, and are now beginning to be seen as thought leaders on refugee issues in Europe and globally, as well as in the UK.

But, we want to do even more! And to help with this we have decided to refresh our branding for our 10th anniversary.

Branding is extremely important for all businesses, having a strong brand identity is key to standing out and differentiating yourself from the competition, and for us it will allow new partnerships to be formed and existing relationships/projects to be elevated.

Over the past few years our focus as a business has evolved. In the past year we had a lot of feedback that our current name makes us sound:

Yes, we do provide housing, and this was (and still is) a core part of our business from the beginning, but we also do so much more than simply giving people a roof over their heads, and our current name doesn’t reflect this.

Going forwards we will be working with 2500 people per year across our housing, training and careers advice services. We’ve also become a thought leader in refugee resettlement and integration and are working with global businesses, such as Starbucks, to get refugees into work.

So, from now on, we will simply be known as ACH, and have a bright new look and feel for our 10th anniversary. This new name reflects our heritage; we were firstly known as Asylum Care & Housing, then Ashley Community Housing.

As well as a new name, logo and colour scheme, we also have a brand new website and have renamed our social media channels.

Ashley Community Housing has evolved, but we remain true to our original values. We believe refugees are assets to employers and local communities. We fight for social justice. We are ACH.

The UK Government have announced their plans to ban disposable plastic bar equipment by the end of the year. The ban will include straws, stirrers and plastic stemmed cotton buds.

The announcement was made last week at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London. At the meeting the government unveiled plans to work with the industry in developing alternatives and ensuring that there was time for businesses to adapt to the changes.

The plan has been devised to combat the extensive plastic waste that has been causing damage to the environment. The government say that in reducing the 8.5 billion plastic straws that are thrown away each year, the environment will benefit greatly.

The move comes after the hospitality industry has seen a host of businesses rejecting plastic straws in recent months. 60 independent festivals within the UK have expressed that they will ban plastic straws from their events this Summer. Catering Supplies and menu holder specialists, Smart Hospitality Supplies, have also committed to replacing their offering of plastic straws and stirrers with more environmentally friendly options. This sets an example for the rest of the industry whilst also providing the sector with better choice when searching for alternatives.

Supermarkets have also seen a change in attitudes, with leading supermarket, Iceland, committing to eliminate plastics from its own brand products by 2023. These changes have signified a change in attitude from society in large and also appears to have forced the governments hand in announcing their commitment to the same cause.

Prime minister Theresa May said: “Plastic waste is one of the greatest environmental challenges facing the world, which is why protecting the marine environment is central to our agenda at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

“The UK government is a world leader on this issue, and the British public have shown passion and energy embracing our plastic bag charge and microbead ban, and today we have put forward ambitious plans to further reduce plastic waste from straws, stirrers and cotton buds.”

Environment secretary Michael Gove added: “Single-use plastics are a scourge on our seas and lethal to our precious environment and wildlife so it is vital we act now. We have already banned harmful microbeads and cut plastic bag use, and now we want to take action on straws, stirrers and cotton buds to help protect our marine life.

“We have seen a number of bars, retailers and restaurants stepping up to the plate and cutting plastic use, however it’s only through government, the public and businesses working together that we will protect our environment for the next generation – we all have a role to play in turning the tide on plastic.”

Report sparks debate about the future of UK’s local voluntary sector

On Thursday the 26th of April, key voluntary sector bodies including NCVO, IoF, DCMS, SCC, Lloyds Foundation and DSC gathered at the headquarters of the Sage Foundation, to debate the findings of Localgiving’s latest Local Charity and Community Group Sustainability Report.

The report found that local charities and community groups in the UK are stretched to breaking point. Over recent years, cuts and austerity measures have increased the burden on local charities and community groups. Many groups are now facing a trade-off between the quality and the durability of their services.

Each year the Local Charity and Community Group Sustainability Report provides a snapshot of the local voluntary sector, highlighting both the unique value of local groups and the key challenges they face. Now in its third year, this report revisits the core themes of sustainability, staffing and skills while also addressing emerging issues such as the potential impact of Brexit, GDPR and devolution.

With 686 responses from local charities and community groups, this is one of the largest voluntary sector surveys in the UK.

The report finds that:

Localgiving has given a set of recommendations to help address these issues. These include:

Lewis Garland, author of the Local Charity and Community Group Sustainability Report 2018, said:

“We are consistently impressed by the resilience and resourcefulness of local charities and community groups – particularly their ability to provide high quality services on limited budgets. This is testament to the incredible passion of those working and volunteering in the sector. However, these services cannot be run on passion alone”.

“Our report has revealed a sector stretched well beyond its capacity. Local charities have been expected to fill the gaps left by public sector cuts, while simultaneously competing for dwindling funding opportunities. Meanwhile, the climate of uncertainty around issues such as Brexit and GDPR has left many questioning their future. If the sector is to survive, let alone flourish, it is essential that local charities are actively included in key decision making processes - both at the local and national level. Furthermore, we must find way to increase, and diversify the funding and support available to these groups”.

Paul Streets OBE, Chief Executive, Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales said:

“As a funder of small and local charities, every day we see examples of organisations stretched to capacity facing rising demand and increasingly uncertain futures. This report shows that now more than ever it is important that we speak up for charities on the frontline supporting people facing the greatest challenges, helping to raise their voices too. The upcoming Civil Society Strategy needs to grasp this as a chance to shift the focus of government back towards the value and needs of these local charities, through reforming commissioning and supporting their vital role in communities.”

Andrew Walkey, Head of Marketing and Membership, NCVO said:

“This report echoes many things we hear from our members. Housing, homelessness and welfare changes are major issues for many local charities at the moment, while others are concerned about the potential impact of Brexit. But it’s always heartening to see that while the funding environment continues to challenge them, charities are working hard to adapt and ensure they can be in a good

place for the future. We’ll continue to work with Localgiving to make sure we’re providing all the support charities need to help them make an even bigger difference.”

Debbie Wall, VP, Sage Foundation said:

“This remarkable snapshot should be a wake-up call to any business, like Sage, who believe in corporate philanthropy and their role in helping local communities. The findings are a clear impetus for business to ensure charity partners benefit more than ever from the experience of the private sector. Sustainability, resourcing and planning are the cornerstones of any strong business and much could be achieved through a richer collaboration across our two sectors.

“Good will is not enough and that’s why Sage will be doubling down on our 2+2+2 commitment of funding, volunteering and product donations to UK grassroots organisations. We’ll also be reaffirming our commitment to capacity building through volunteering and grant making, so more brilliant groups can diversify and prepare for successful – not uncertain - futures.”

Read the full report today: http://report.localgiving.org/

For more information please visit Localgiving.org, email help@localgiving.org or call 0300 111 2340.

- ENDS-

For more information please contact:

Lewis Garland, Communications Manager - lewis.garland@localgiving.org

About Localgiving

Localgiving is the UK’s leading membership and support network for local charities and community groups. It aims to empower grassroots organisations to fundraise online, connect with supporters and take control of their financial future. In addition, it provides advocacy for the local voluntary sector and works to secure third party funding for its members. It provides free training opportunities, fundraising resources and regular incentivised giving campaigns to help groups raise funds online.

When our third baby, Leah, was born it was very clear there was something wrong with her. She was completely yellow – even the whites of her eyes. My wife, Paige, and I knew what jaundice was, but nothing could have prepared us for what we saw. The midwife at Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham, where Leah had been born, immediately organised for blood tests to be carried out and once the results came back we were referred directly on to Leeds General Infirmary (LGI), over 80 miles from home, for an ultrasound scan.

As soon as the ultrasound results came back, doctors broke the devastating news to Paige and me that Leah had a condition called biliary atresia. Having never heard about the rare disease, which only occurs in one out of 16,700 babies, we had no idea what it even meant. We soon learnt however that biliary atresia is a disease of the liver and bile ducts whereby the bile flow from the liver to the gallbladder is blocked, causing the bile to be trapped inside the liver. We were terrified to hear that this causes damage and scarring on the liver cells (cirrhosis), and could eventually lead to liver failure. The message was loud and clear. Without treatment our baby was going to die.

I tried not to panic as doctors explained what was wrong with Leah, but it was difficult to remain calm. Paige and I have two other young children, Laurissa and Lucas, who are only three and two years old respectively. At this point we had no idea what the future might hold because biliary atresia cannot be treated with medication. Leah was monitored for a few days before it was decided we would all go home back to Nottingham and once she was a little stronger, our baby would have a Kasai procedure - an operation to re-establish bile flow from the liver into the intestine.

So that was that. We made the two hour journey home, uncertain about what the future held, but reassured that Leah would not need to be in the hospital before the Kasai procedure, which was scheduled in for the following month. At this point we had no idea about the existence of Eckersley House or the work of The Sick Children’s Trust. It was on our return for Leah’s procedure that a nurse told us about the ‘Home from Home’. We had been really worried about what we were going to do once we got to Leeds. With two other little ones, one of whom has Down syndrome, and not much money between us, we had been certain our family would be split up. Thanks to The Sick Children’s Trust, over the past six months, we have battled on together as one.

The charity offered us a room from the moment Leah was admitted to the hospital. Being able to stay as a family in a private room just minutes from her hospital cot at no cost whatsoever was incredible. Neither Paige nor I were working – I have been Lucas’ full time carer since he was born in 2016, so the cost of a B&B in Leeds would have crippled us. But Eckersley House is so much more than just a room near to your seriously ill child. It is a safe haven, a place of respite – a real ‘Home from Home’. The kids loved it, especially the playrooms because there were so many toys for them to choose from. And for Paige and me it was a slice of normality, away from the bright lights and flashing monitors on the ward where we could retreat, feed our kids in the well-stocked kitchen and even watch a bit of TV.

After eight days we were discharged home. Leah was to be monitored closely with regular blood tests at Queens Medical Centre, but the hope was that for the time being bile would drain from Leah’s liver and her jaundice level would go down. However, this didn’t happen. Leah remained yellow and became increasingly agitated. She was clearly in a lot of discomfort, was losing weight and constantly itching her skin. We returned to the centre for another blood test. Concerned by the results, the specialist who had been looking after Leah from LGI travelled over to take a look at her.

The Kasai procedure hadn’t worked. Leah’s only chance of survival would be a liver transplant. And until a suitable donor was found, Leah had to remain at LGI.

We headed back to Leeds later that day with Leah, Laurissa and Lucas, unsure about what to do next. We just hoped that The Sick Children’s Trust would come to our rescue once again. It did. Eckersley House came to our aid in a way we could never have imagined. Within the house, alongside the family bedrooms, there’s a flat, which we were offered. So since the beginning of February we have been staying somewhere that we now come to think of as home. The facilities are excellent and the flat has its own front room, kitchen and bathroom. To both Paige and I it feels like we moved out of one home and into another! The kids love it, especially all the attention they get from the house staff for whom nothing is too much trouble. Jane and her team are incredible and knew exactly what to say to us during the long wait for a donor liver for Leah.

It was seven weeks before Leah went down for her transplant. We were in the flat at Eckersley House when the call came through. Automatically assuming, after such a rocky few months, our precious baby had taken another turn for the worse, we were elated yet petrified to be told she was going into theatre within the hour.

I am thrilled to say though that, from this point onwards, things have only improved. Over the past four weeks we have remained in the flat at Eckersley House whilst Leah recovers from her operation. And she has recovered so well. Doctors could not have predicted how well our brave baby has done. She is a completely different child and no longer yellow. Her eyes sparkle and she smiles at us all the time. Tonight is the first night we have been allowed to take her off the ward and she is spending the night with us at Eckersley House. It feels amazing to have all five of us together in our ‘Home from Home’. In a strange way, I think we will all miss Eckersley House and everything that it has given us. We will never forget the support we have received from The Sick Children’s Trust and I can’t believe we hadn’t heard of its amazing work before now.

Being so close to Leah whilst she recovers from her transplant has meant we have been instrumental in administering her care. She will need medication all her life, which is quite complicated and daunting. The nurses have had to show us how to give this to Leah. She is also tube fed so Paige has been hands on at feed times, using the pump and making sure that once home she knows exactly what to do. If we were not staying just two minutes from the ward where Leah is being treated I am certain we would not be taking her home so soon – it is quite overwhelming how many steps there are to her treatment plan, but Eckersley House has enabled us to be there by her side and the professionals at all times. Finally, Laurissa and Lucas are enjoying getting to know their baby sister and Paige and I are hopeful that Leah is going to live a great life.

Dave Lawson, Leah’s Dad.

About The Sick Children’s Trust

The Sick Children’s Trust is working to a future where every family with a seriously ill child in hospital will be able to stay together, just minutes from their child’s bed during their treatment.

We believe keeping families together significantly improves the recovery of seriously ill children. We provide free, high-quality ‘Home from Home’ accommodation, as well as emotional and practical support, to families with sick children in hospital in the UK.

The Sick Children’s Trust was founded in 1982 by two paediatric specialists Dr Jon Pritchard and Professor James Malpas. Today we have ten ‘Homes from Home’ at major hospitals around the country where families can stay free of charge, for as long as they need whilst their child is undergoing treatment.

We support around 4,000 families every year, and there is a growing demand for our ‘Homes from Home’ as children must increasingly travel long distances to get the specialist treatment they need. www.sickchildrenstrust.org

Adventurous Chelsey Oxley from South Petherton is taking part in a special charity tandem skydive on 23rd June 2018 at Dunkeswell Airfield to raise money for Somerset's children’s charity bibic, a cause close to her heart.

Chelsey works at bibic as a Developmental Therapist supporting children and their families living with the challenges of neurological and genetic conditions. Chelsey's going the extra mile in June to raise money and awareness about the charity’s service she’s so passionate about.

Chelsey says,

At times, living with disabilities and difficulties can become overwhelming and parents, carers and teachers need bibic’s expertise to help them better understand and support a child’s behaviour and needs. bibic’s life changing therapies and strategies empower families and professionals who want to improve the quality of life for a child both at home and school;

One mum who recently saw Chelsey to get help for her son Freddie (pictured) said that improvements in his communication and behaviour mean that Freddie and his family can now get out of the house more without worrying about meltdowns. This is making a big difference to them as a family and Freddie’s able to cope better in the world around him.

Chelsey needs your help to reach the sky and make a difference to many more children who need bibic's service. Please donate whatever you can, no matter how small. Every penny goes straight to where it counts, buying equipment for bibic’s sensory and play rooms and continuing to provide life changing therapies to help children with disabilities. Thank you.

To donate, please go directly to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chelsey-oxley3

bibic also have some places left for thrill seekers like Chelsey if you’d like to change lives and jump for a great cause. To sign up and for more information go to: http://bibic.org.uk/events/skydive-jump-bibic/