Rex returns to offer
life changing service
EXCLUSIVE by Gary Skentelbery
A LIFE changing experience has resulted in a Warrington man dedicating his life to helping others.
Rex Mallett from Woolston, is now raising funds by offering a special brittle bones (osteoporosis) screening service, using the donations he receives to help support childrens charities he helped set up.
Rex, a former member of Warrington Lions, now lives and works 10 months of the year in Tenerife as a Chartered Sonographer with his own Clinics in San Isidro, and Los Cristianos, working on the subject of Osteoporosis Screening.
He said: ?I have for the last six years come back to Warrington to do screening, with all donations received going to charity, which is itself rather unique insofar as no body, including myself and anybody working with me, receive any expenses.
Rex will be running his unique screening at the Holy Trinity Church in Warrington town centre on Friday October 5.
Anyone wishing to make an appointment can call him on 01925 813652. He requires a ?15 donation for the service, which will go to help fund the charity.
Explaining the moment his life changed forever Rex said: ?Some 12 years ago I saw a couple being insulted for taking their Downs Syndrome daughter into a restaurant in Cheshire, and this really home to me and made a huge change in my life.
?Later that evening when I contacted the couple I discovered the girl was 16 years of age, it was her birthday, and the first time they had ever taken her out for a meal. Her schooling was now finished there was nothing more for the girl who was unable to work and she was now requiring constant attention.
?Having no children of my own and living and working ten months of the year in Tenerife, I felt that there must be something I could do for youngsters like this and to give respite care for the parents.
?To this end I formed the T.E.I.D.E. Charity trust No 116066 (Tenerife Educational tours for Infirm and Disadvantaged children?s Exchange)and after some time with the help of the Canarian Government, I was able to take 150+ children from the UK suffering from all kinds of debilitating conditions to Tenerife with their carers for a two week break in May of each year with the help of the Tenerife Lions International.
?In return for the help I received from Tenerife I then arranged for abused children from Spain to come to England, to help with their trauma, to Pontins holiday camp Blackpool for the past 10 years.?
With no Osteoporosis screening available on the NHS due to the costs the disease is without symptoms and the first thing a woman finds is she has broken a bone.
Rex added: ?You may have heard it said ?the lady fell and broke her hip?, when the reverse is the case, the hip breaks and the lady falls.
?Now with the very latest Ultrasonic Equipment I am able to check in about 10 minutes the density of any person and it is this procedure I am operating in Tenerife and in England. The patients receives a fully detailed report and if advised it is necessary, to take this to their own GP for treatment.?
Women athletes, adolescents, and young women with eating disorders are at particular risk for osteoporosis, which is more effectively prevented than treated. Diet and exercise in early life to promote peak bone mass in young women are emerging as major preventative factors. The main problem is that after age 11, no age group of females achieves even 75 percent of the recommended levels of calcium intake!
Volunteers wanted
for Santa fun run
by Gary Skentelbery
FAMILIES United, the Warrington Charity for children with disabilities will be holding a Charity Santa F.UN Dash, sponsored by Countryside Properties, Carrington Park.
The event takes place on Sunday December 2 at 10.30 am, at Walton Hall Gardens,Walton.
Members of the public are being invited to register for the 3k circular run or walk, dressed in a festive Santa outfit. From local scout groups to an office Santa team, F.UN is asking the Warrington public to join in and support the festive event.
Individuals can register for the event by submitting an entry form by phoning Tel: 0792 512 8688 or collecting an entry leaflet from Countryside Properties, Carrington Park (off Battersby Lane, Orford). Entry for Adults is ?10, Children ?5 and for families of four ?20.
A five piece Santa suite is included in the registration fee for adults and a flashing Santa hat for children.
The event is in aid of the work of Families United, the local charity that provides activities for local families with disabled children and their siblings during the holidays and weekends plus provides support and information for parents, carers and professionals.
Denise Edwards, Chairperson of Families United said: ?The work of F.UN. is to enhance the lives of disabled children and their families by providing them with social opportunities, information and support.?
Countryside Properties, Sales Director Michaela Lancaster said: ?As a locally based company and a builder of family homes in the area it is important for us to support such a well deserving charity and we are delighted to be sponsoring this year?s Santa F.UN Dash.?
For Further information about the Families UNited, call Joanne Freeman, Fundraiser on 0792 512 8688.
Sussi’s living life
in the fast lane at 95
by staff reporter
LYMM resident Sussi Sheldon celebrated her 95th birthday in style with a trip out in a Lotus sports car as a thank you from her grand-daughter’s boyfriend for looking after the vehicle.
She looked after the eye-catching vehicle for five months at her Sandy Lane home while Chris Russ’s garage was turned into a workshop during renovations on his home.
Sussi became so attached to the vehicle that she decided she would like a run out in it for her birthday.
Russ and girlfriend Sarah Sheldon arrived at Sussi’s house in two cars, the Lotus and a Jaguar.
Sussi wanted her photo taken pretending to get in, with everyone expecting her to then get into the Jag.
Russ said: ” How wrong were we! Before we knew it, she had slipped into the seat and left us stood there open mouthed.
“We arrived at the pub, to be greeted by her son Andrew and daughter-in law Angie, who both helped to ease Sussi out.
Not perturbed, she wanted a ride back home too!”
Russ added: “I Hope I can still get in when I am 95!”
Families wanted
by Mark Hemmings
WARRINGTON families are being urged to take part in a new scheme being run by the BBC to give children the chance of a family through fostering and adoption.
Thousands of children in the UK are waiting to be adopted or fostered and now residents in Warrington are being given the opportunity to find out if they could make all the difference to the life of a local child at a free BBC Family Wanted event.
The BBC?s Family Wanted Campaign aims to encourage potential new adopters and long-term foster carers from Warrington to find out if they have what it takes to be a child?s parent or carer.
The project is being backed by Warrington Council’s fostering and adoption service.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt Executive Board Member for Children?s Services said: “The council is happy to be taking part in this national event for such a worthy cause. Many families have the power to give a child a happy and fulfilling childhood by fostering or adopting, so I urge anybody who is thinking about it to attend the event and find out how to take the first crucial steps.?
The BBC Family Wanted drop-in event is being held at Broughton Hall High School, Yew Tree Lane in Liverpool, but anyone from Warrington, who believes they have what it takes, can get involved.
For more information, contact Warrington?s Fostering and Adoption team on 01925 444400.
Claire’s in training
for Great North Run
by staff reporter
A LYMM w
oman is training hard for her first half marathon, the BUPA Great North Run, on September 30.
Claire Evans hopes local people will sponsor her and help raise funds for the British Red Cross.
To start her fundraising Claire held a Red Tie Party at her home in Lymm, with family friends and colleagues.
The red, white and black themed party raised ?483 for the fund. Local businesses from the village helped support the event.
One of Claire’s supporters said: “Now the partying is over and it’s back to a tough training schedule, so if you see Claire out on her practice runs give her some encouragement!”
Soldiers complete three
peaks with minutes to spare!
by John Hendon
A team of seven soldiers including Staff Sergeant John Burns, age 47, from Warrington from D Squadron (DLOY) Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry undertook the arduous ?Three Peaks 24 hour Challenge? in aid of Wigan and Leigh Hospice and the Army Benevolent Fund.
The three peaks of Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and picturesque Snowdon in Wales were completed within the required 24 hours with only 15 minutes to spare.
Thanks to the training and preparation done in the build up to the event, no blisters were suffered. A huge amount of thanks and appreciation must be given to the Territorial Army in Wigan, Standish Electrical Services and MSS Group who provide industrial cleaning and support services to companies across the country for their support and generosity which ensured each charity concerned received a cheque for ?883.86.
The Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) is the Army?s national charity. For over sixty years the charity has worked tirelessly to provide financial and practical support to soldiers, former soldiers and their families in times of need. The people it supports include those with disabilities or mental illness, people experiencing homelessness or unemployment, and older people.
Wigan and Leigh Hospice provides specialist palliative care services on as broad a basis as possible and at the highest quality achievable, thereby aiming to enhance the quality of life of individuals living with a life-threatening illness.
The Territorial Army, or TA as it is usually known, is part of Britain?s reserve land forces and provides support to the Regular Army at home and overseas. Throughout its history, almost every major operation has seen TA soldiers operating alongside their Regular counterparts.
News in brief
Cyclist injured
A CYCLIST was badly injured after being struck by a car on Warrington Road, Penketh, on Wednesday evening.
The 35-year-old man suffered serious head injuries when he was involved in collision with a black Honda Civic.
He was taken to Warrington Hospital and remains in a stable condition.
Awareness week
CONTINENCE awareness week starts on Monday to help make people more aware of bladder and bowel problems.
At least 2,000 people in Warrington are affected by the condition, which impacts on their social life, relationships, feelings and overall quality of life.
Experts will be at the main entrance of Warrington Hospital from September 17 to 23 between 9.30am and 4.30pm to offer advice.
Lottery results
THE numbers in Warrington Hospital League of Friends weekly lottery for week 51 were 5, 10, 14 and 15.
There was no winner and the jacpot next week is an estimated ?262. The ?25 consolation prize was won internally.
