Words originally for Plymouth daily newspaper The Herald, completed on a week of work experience in December, yet to be published.
A MINISTRY of Defence finance officer based at Devonport has succesfully completed a running challenge stretching across across the country, raising hundreds of pounds for charity in the process.
Marc Craig, 34, set himself the target of completing ten 10km races in a year in aid of St Luke’s Hospice, which provides support for more than two thousand people from local areas with terminal illnesses each year.
Marc completed the challenge, raising £600 for charity, running in races across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, and London - where he ran on the course likely to be used for the 2012 Olympic marathon.
Stephanie Cherington, of St Luke’s Hospice and who received the sponsored proceeds from Marc, was full of admiration and said: “Marc is an inspiration, setting himself the challenge of running ten 10km challenges in one year.
“Raising £600 will make a big difference to St Luke’s, helping us to continue to care for patients in Plymouth and the surrounding area.
“I would like to thank all those who have sponsored Marc and the Naval Base for their support.”
Marc, who lives in Saltash and who is a keen roadrunner, said: “It’s been an interesting and challenging year but also thoroughly enjoyable and inspiring.
“Raising money for such a good cause was the main reason for competing in the races and I would like to say a warm thank you to everyone who has sponsored me during the year.
“A big thank you also needs to go to my girlfriend and parents who have supported ne at every race and have been there with me every step of the way.”
Friday, 17 December 2010
Thursday, 16 December 2010
Couple win national carer award (News piece for The Herald)
Words originally for Plymouth daily newspaper The Herald, completed on a week of work experience in December, published on Monday December 20, and can be found online here.
A COUPLE from Torpoint have won a national award in recognition of their continued dedication to foster care.
Helen and Dave Channing have been fostering for 30 years, welcoming nearly 60 children and young people into their home.
And now the pair, who also have five birth sons who grew up as part of the fostering family, have had their efforts commended at a ceremony in London, being announced winners of the National Outstanding Carer Award.
Helen and Dave were nominated for the award - part of the Keep Dreaming National Leaving Care Awards 2010 - by the south west region of FCA (Foster Care Associates), which is the UK’s leading independent foster care agency.
Sheree Cole, the FCA regional manager who nominated the Torpoint couple, said: “The unswerving commitment to fostering which Helen and Dave continue to deliver is second to none.
“At Foster Care Associates we are hugely proud of their achievements and this award is testament to the brilliant work they do.
Sheree added that even after the young people move on to living alone, Helen and Dave continue to support them, saying: “Nothing seems too much trouble.”
Talking about the award, Helen said: “We were thrilled to receive this level of recognition and never expected to win a national award.
“Being a foster carer is a challenging role but the rewards are enormous.
“To see a young person smile again and overcome many emotional hurdles means that we have managed to bring hope and happiness back into this person’s life.”
With the current national shortage of foster carers, FCA are always seeking to hear from potential new carers, and those wishing to find out more can call freephone 0800 023 4561, or visit the website at www.iwanttofoster.com
A COUPLE from Torpoint have won a national award in recognition of their continued dedication to foster care.
Helen and Dave Channing have been fostering for 30 years, welcoming nearly 60 children and young people into their home.
And now the pair, who also have five birth sons who grew up as part of the fostering family, have had their efforts commended at a ceremony in London, being announced winners of the National Outstanding Carer Award.
Helen and Dave were nominated for the award - part of the Keep Dreaming National Leaving Care Awards 2010 - by the south west region of FCA (Foster Care Associates), which is the UK’s leading independent foster care agency.
Sheree Cole, the FCA regional manager who nominated the Torpoint couple, said: “The unswerving commitment to fostering which Helen and Dave continue to deliver is second to none.
“At Foster Care Associates we are hugely proud of their achievements and this award is testament to the brilliant work they do.
Sheree added that even after the young people move on to living alone, Helen and Dave continue to support them, saying: “Nothing seems too much trouble.”
Talking about the award, Helen said: “We were thrilled to receive this level of recognition and never expected to win a national award.
“Being a foster carer is a challenging role but the rewards are enormous.
“To see a young person smile again and overcome many emotional hurdles means that we have managed to bring hope and happiness back into this person’s life.”
With the current national shortage of foster carers, FCA are always seeking to hear from potential new carers, and those wishing to find out more can call freephone 0800 023 4561, or visit the website at www.iwanttofoster.com
Plumbing students raise money for charity with ping-pong-a-thon (News piece for The Herald).
Words originally for Plymouth daily newspaper The Herald, completed on a week of work experience in December, yet to be published.
PLUMBING students from a college in Saltash have swapped spanners for paddles, taking part in a sponsored 'Ping-Pong-a-thon' to raise money for charity.
The group of Level 2 students fromCornwall College organised the event to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, paying to take part in the three hour table tennis tournament and collecting sponsorship from their peers.
The tournament took part in the K3 Young People’s Centre - at the college’s Church Road campus - and extra funds were raised by K3 staff who donated 25p for each hot drink sold during the event.
36 students and a number of members of staff took part, raising almost £100 in total.
Dave Seccombe, plumbing lecturer at the college, said: “It’s great to see all the students thinking of others at this time of year and I commend their efforts,” and the principal of the college, Dave Linnell, also commended the group.
Fundraising manager for Macmillan Cornwall & Devon said: “It is very gratifying to see that young, healthy students such as those involved in the Ping-Pong-a-thon recognise the impact cancer can have on people of all ages and levels of fitness by supporting us today.
“Without the help of people like this Macmillan Cancer Support would not be able to do the work it does.”
PLUMBING students from a college in Saltash have swapped spanners for paddles, taking part in a sponsored 'Ping-Pong-a-thon' to raise money for charity.
The group of Level 2 students fromCornwall College organised the event to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, paying to take part in the three hour table tennis tournament and collecting sponsorship from their peers.
The tournament took part in the K3 Young People’s Centre - at the college’s Church Road campus - and extra funds were raised by K3 staff who donated 25p for each hot drink sold during the event.
36 students and a number of members of staff took part, raising almost £100 in total.
Dave Seccombe, plumbing lecturer at the college, said: “It’s great to see all the students thinking of others at this time of year and I commend their efforts,” and the principal of the college, Dave Linnell, also commended the group.
Fundraising manager for Macmillan Cornwall & Devon said: “It is very gratifying to see that young, healthy students such as those involved in the Ping-Pong-a-thon recognise the impact cancer can have on people of all ages and levels of fitness by supporting us today.
“Without the help of people like this Macmillan Cancer Support would not be able to do the work it does.”
Student reaches finals of pageant content (News piece for The Herald)
Words originally for Plymouth daily newspaper The Herald, completed on a week of work experience in December, yet to be published.
A STUDENT of Lipson Community College has made it to the semi-finals of a nationwide beauty pageant, and now needs support from the people of Plymouth to make it through a public vote.
Connie Veale, 14, was spotted by number of modelling agencies in London when she travelled to watch a live catwalk show from popular television modelling show Britain’s Next Top Model, but was too young to join up with any of them.
She was then also noticed at the same venue by the people behind the Teen Queen UK competition, who encouraged her to get involved.
Connie was one of more than 9,500 applicants of the competition, which aims to help girls aged 13-19 into the world of modelling.
Successfully progressing through three heats, Connie again travelled to London, but this time to partake in modelling rather than spectate, completing a professional photo shoot along with 80 other girls.
Connie, who is also a keen singer, actress and dancer and who is part of Lipson Community College’s street dance crew The Ruptors, found out that she has made it to the semi-finals of the competition - facing the public vote up against 49 other girls.
If successful, Connie faces the opportunity of attending the grand final in London, with a view to gaining some fantastic experience, as well as winning a number of prizes.
Voting for the competition is now open. To vote for Connie, call 09016 561 530 27 or text ‘Connie Veale’ to 84205. Voting closes at 11.30pm on December 30
A STUDENT of Lipson Community College has made it to the semi-finals of a nationwide beauty pageant, and now needs support from the people of Plymouth to make it through a public vote.
Connie Veale, 14, was spotted by number of modelling agencies in London when she travelled to watch a live catwalk show from popular television modelling show Britain’s Next Top Model, but was too young to join up with any of them.
She was then also noticed at the same venue by the people behind the Teen Queen UK competition, who encouraged her to get involved.
Connie was one of more than 9,500 applicants of the competition, which aims to help girls aged 13-19 into the world of modelling.
Successfully progressing through three heats, Connie again travelled to London, but this time to partake in modelling rather than spectate, completing a professional photo shoot along with 80 other girls.
Connie, who is also a keen singer, actress and dancer and who is part of Lipson Community College’s street dance crew The Ruptors, found out that she has made it to the semi-finals of the competition - facing the public vote up against 49 other girls.
If successful, Connie faces the opportunity of attending the grand final in London, with a view to gaining some fantastic experience, as well as winning a number of prizes.
Voting for the competition is now open. To vote for Connie, call 09016 561 530 27 or text ‘Connie Veale’ to 84205. Voting closes at 11.30pm on December 30
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Independent record label release party (News piece for The Herald)
Words originally for Plymouth daily newspaper The Herald, completed on a week of work experience in December, published in 20 December 2010 issue.
A PLYMOUTH based independent record label are celebrating the success of their second release with a party Exeter's The Tavern live music venue.
Art Is Hard Records are made up of Plymouth University students David West and Richard Walsh, who are both originally from Bournemoth.
They put out their first release, a compilation of their favourite bands from the south west, in September, but opted for an unusual method for would-be fans to get hold of the tracks.
Instead of simply releasing a CD the pair, who live in Bournemouth and Portsmouth when not at university, decided that they would sell self-designed t-shirts that came with a online code for purhcasers to download the songs.
But with the second release they reverted to more classic methods - a 7-inch vinyl for their split release with The Black Tambourines, from Falmouth, and New Years Evil, from Exeter.
The gig at The Cavern will take place on December 28, with live performances from New Years Evil and The Black Tmabourines as well as Concubines, a side project of a member from exciting Exeter band Ono Palindromes. More information about Art Is Hard, the bands, and the release party can be found at their website www.artishardrecords.tumblr.com
A PLYMOUTH based independent record label are celebrating the success of their second release with a party Exeter's The Tavern live music venue.
Art Is Hard Records are made up of Plymouth University students David West and Richard Walsh, who are both originally from Bournemoth.
They put out their first release, a compilation of their favourite bands from the south west, in September, but opted for an unusual method for would-be fans to get hold of the tracks.
Instead of simply releasing a CD the pair, who live in Bournemouth and Portsmouth when not at university, decided that they would sell self-designed t-shirts that came with a online code for purhcasers to download the songs.
But with the second release they reverted to more classic methods - a 7-inch vinyl for their split release with The Black Tambourines, from Falmouth, and New Years Evil, from Exeter.
The gig at The Cavern will take place on December 28, with live performances from New Years Evil and The Black Tmabourines as well as Concubines, a side project of a member from exciting Exeter band Ono Palindromes. More information about Art Is Hard, the bands, and the release party can be found at their website www.artishardrecords.tumblr.com
Students get artwork displayed (News piece for The Herald)
Words originally for Plymouth's daily newspaper The Herald, completed on a week of work experience in December, published on December 16
STUDENTS from Torpoint Community College have had their artwork exhibited at Mount Edgcumbe House.
The sculpture ‘Big Fish, Little Fish’ was designed and constructed by students from Torpoint Community College and local primary schools - with the help of Diarmund Byron-O’Conner, a professional artist from London, and Adam Butcher, a teacher at Torpoint’s London partner school Chestnut Grove.
The pair travelled down on a number of occasions to assist with the production, which spent a week at Mount Edgcumbe house and which will shortly be moved to be proudly displayed at the school canteen.
‘Big Fish, Little Fish’ features a shoal of smaller fish made from recycled metals such as tins and spoons donated by local recycling centres swimming away from a large metal shark and helps to show how items that are usually destined for landfill can be transformed into pieces of art.
The artwork is all part of the Collaborative Sculpture project, which the school hope will continue for a number of years.
With future pieces the school plan on working around the school’s humanities status as well as Torpoint’s heritage - hoping to involve members of the community and local artists and craftsmen.
STUDENTS from Torpoint Community College have had their artwork exhibited at Mount Edgcumbe House.
The sculpture ‘Big Fish, Little Fish’ was designed and constructed by students from Torpoint Community College and local primary schools - with the help of Diarmund Byron-O’Conner, a professional artist from London, and Adam Butcher, a teacher at Torpoint’s London partner school Chestnut Grove.
The pair travelled down on a number of occasions to assist with the production, which spent a week at Mount Edgcumbe house and which will shortly be moved to be proudly displayed at the school canteen.
‘Big Fish, Little Fish’ features a shoal of smaller fish made from recycled metals such as tins and spoons donated by local recycling centres swimming away from a large metal shark and helps to show how items that are usually destined for landfill can be transformed into pieces of art.
The artwork is all part of the Collaborative Sculpture project, which the school hope will continue for a number of years.
With future pieces the school plan on working around the school’s humanities status as well as Torpoint’s heritage - hoping to involve members of the community and local artists and craftsmen.
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
Drama group show modern Anne Frank story (News piece for The Herald)
Words originally for Plymouth daily newspaper The Herald, completed on a week of work experience in December, yet to be published.
THE THOUGHT provoking story of Anne Frank is to be performed in a modern adaptation by Plymouth drama group Western College Players.
Directed by Gareth Roberts, who is also chairman for the theatre company, The Diary of Anne Frank will run at The Drum theatre for a number of shows in January.
Much loved and heart-wrenching, The Diary of a Young Girl was first transformed from a book into stage play The Diary of Anne Frank in 1955, and the members of Western College Players will be hoping to be equally as moving as the performance has proved in the past.
And the group will also be hoping that their latest production has the same appeal as some of their past productions, such as last year’s The Lion, the Withc and the Wardrobe, with many playing to sell out audiences.
Director and chairman Garteh Roberts said: “It is fantastic to be working on something so meaningful to so many.
“We’re doing everything within our capabilities to do justice to this incredible story of the strength of human spirit and I would like to congratulate our committed, talented cast on all their hard work.”
The Diary of Anne Frank appears at Theatre Royals Drum Theatre from January 18 - 22. Tickets, priced £12 for adults and £10 concession, are available from Theatre Royal’s box office on 01752 267222 or online at www.theatreroyal.com.
THE THOUGHT provoking story of Anne Frank is to be performed in a modern adaptation by Plymouth drama group Western College Players.
Directed by Gareth Roberts, who is also chairman for the theatre company, The Diary of Anne Frank will run at The Drum theatre for a number of shows in January.
Much loved and heart-wrenching, The Diary of a Young Girl was first transformed from a book into stage play The Diary of Anne Frank in 1955, and the members of Western College Players will be hoping to be equally as moving as the performance has proved in the past.
And the group will also be hoping that their latest production has the same appeal as some of their past productions, such as last year’s The Lion, the Withc and the Wardrobe, with many playing to sell out audiences.
Director and chairman Garteh Roberts said: “It is fantastic to be working on something so meaningful to so many.
“We’re doing everything within our capabilities to do justice to this incredible story of the strength of human spirit and I would like to congratulate our committed, talented cast on all their hard work.”
The Diary of Anne Frank appears at Theatre Royals Drum Theatre from January 18 - 22. Tickets, priced £12 for adults and £10 concession, are available from Theatre Royal’s box office on 01752 267222 or online at www.theatreroyal.com.
Monday, 13 December 2010
Alarm monitoring call centre staff praised (News piece for The Herald)
Words originally for Plymouth daily newspaper The Herald, completed on a week of work experience in December, yet to be published.
A PLYMOUTH based alarm monitoring company has been praised for helping to save the life of an elderly lady after she fell in her garden in Essex.
Staff in the Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) at Securi-Guard, which is based in Estover and employs over 200 people, were alerted on the evening of September 6 when 89-year old Eileen Rhodes pressed the emergency help button that she carries with her, after being unable to get up in her garden in Brentwood, Essex.
After receiving the alert, the staff in Plymouth swiftly contacted BB Alarms, a company local to Essex who Securi-Guard monitor calls for, after being unable to make contact with Eileen.
Incredibly, the staff member that they got through to at BB Alarms was Selwyn Rhodes, Eileen’s son.
Selwyn, aged 58 and also of Brentwood, Essex, set up the alarm installation company in 1995, described what happened and declared his huge thanks to the staff in Plymouth.
He said: “Following the call I rushed around to my mother’s house and found she had fallen in the garden and broken her right arm.
“Without the alert she would almost certainly have not survived the night as she was unable to get up. I cannot thank the operators enough as I am in no doubt they saved her life.”
After a short stint in hospital, Eileen is now home recovering.
ARC Manager at Securi-Guard Mary Campbell was delighted that staff had responded so efficiently. She said: “Staff in the ARC are trained to the highest possible standard and it is always good to hear when an emergency like this has a happy ending. Everybody involved in the incident appreciated Selwyn’s note of thanks.”
A PLYMOUTH based alarm monitoring company has been praised for helping to save the life of an elderly lady after she fell in her garden in Essex.
Staff in the Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) at Securi-Guard, which is based in Estover and employs over 200 people, were alerted on the evening of September 6 when 89-year old Eileen Rhodes pressed the emergency help button that she carries with her, after being unable to get up in her garden in Brentwood, Essex.
After receiving the alert, the staff in Plymouth swiftly contacted BB Alarms, a company local to Essex who Securi-Guard monitor calls for, after being unable to make contact with Eileen.
Incredibly, the staff member that they got through to at BB Alarms was Selwyn Rhodes, Eileen’s son.
Selwyn, aged 58 and also of Brentwood, Essex, set up the alarm installation company in 1995, described what happened and declared his huge thanks to the staff in Plymouth.
He said: “Following the call I rushed around to my mother’s house and found she had fallen in the garden and broken her right arm.
“Without the alert she would almost certainly have not survived the night as she was unable to get up. I cannot thank the operators enough as I am in no doubt they saved her life.”
After a short stint in hospital, Eileen is now home recovering.
ARC Manager at Securi-Guard Mary Campbell was delighted that staff had responded so efficiently. She said: “Staff in the ARC are trained to the highest possible standard and it is always good to hear when an emergency like this has a happy ending. Everybody involved in the incident appreciated Selwyn’s note of thanks.”
Hospital gets new microscope (News piece for The Herald)
Words originally for Plymouth daily newspaper The Herald, completed on a week of work experience in December, yet to be published.
PLYMOUTH’S Nuffield Health Hospital has installed a new surgical microscope as part of their programme of modernisation for eye surgery.
The microscope is the most advanced of its kind, incorporating new advances in technology to allow doctors to be more precise during micro-surgical eye procedures.
Consultant Opthalmic Surgeon at the hospital Mr Habib, who was handed the piece of state of the art equipment by general manager Nick Costa at an official ceremony on November 30, said: “The microscope uses a halogen light source which produces brighter details at lower levels of illumination resulting in improved comfort to the patient and better contrast to the surgeon, whilst protecting both patient and surgeon’s retina.”
The installation of the microscope at Nuffield Health Hospital, which has also seen a number of other new pieces of diagnostic equipment installed recently as part of their modernisation programme such as a 3D retina and cornea scan and an eye segment camera, was made possible thanks to a legacy donation from a patient.
PLYMOUTH’S Nuffield Health Hospital has installed a new surgical microscope as part of their programme of modernisation for eye surgery.
The microscope is the most advanced of its kind, incorporating new advances in technology to allow doctors to be more precise during micro-surgical eye procedures.
Consultant Opthalmic Surgeon at the hospital Mr Habib, who was handed the piece of state of the art equipment by general manager Nick Costa at an official ceremony on November 30, said: “The microscope uses a halogen light source which produces brighter details at lower levels of illumination resulting in improved comfort to the patient and better contrast to the surgeon, whilst protecting both patient and surgeon’s retina.”
The installation of the microscope at Nuffield Health Hospital, which has also seen a number of other new pieces of diagnostic equipment installed recently as part of their modernisation programme such as a 3D retina and cornea scan and an eye segment camera, was made possible thanks to a legacy donation from a patient.
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Above: Jake attempts to consume a vegetarian-style hot dog at Latitude music festival, 2010.