From heartbreak to
cancer help service
by Terry Johnson
A Warrington woman who lost three loved ones to cancer in one year has realised her vision of setting up a round-the-clock careline for cancer sufferers and their families.
Though disabled with arthritis, Chris Holt has secured powerful backing from health professionals to the formation of a new charity which will give emotional support to people traumatised by cancer diagnosis.
The John Holt Cancer Foundation emerges from Chris’s experiences after her husband and two other close family members were struck with cancer.
“We were given the diagnosis on a Friday afternoon and had nobody to turn to emotionally”, said Chris. “I realised the desperate need for a befriending service.”
Chris lost her husband, her mother Mary, and aunt, Frances, to the disease in 2001.
“The local hospice fulfilled a vital, caring role – but I felt there was a huge need in the area for a befriending service for patients, carers and families.”
As founder/co-ordinator of the new charity, Chris plans to establish a ‘drop in’ cancer centre in the town within the next few months.
“The Foundation is looking for volunteers to do jobs, including one-to-one support, fund-raising, driving and administration.
“We would ask people with an hour or two to spare to contact us. There will be free training for our volunteers and support for them, too.
“Our supporting company, Realtime Computing, have designed our website which shows what is happening with our charity and provides information about volunteering, fund-raising and our ‘Wall of Life’ project.
“The new charity will be in partnership with Warrington Primary Care Trust, MacMillan Nurses and Warrington Borough Council.”
Labour MP, Helen Jones, has agreed to be the charity’s Patron and the contact service will be provided seven days a week.
Further details from Chris on 01925 454197.
Crash victims named
by staff reporter
Police last night named a Warrington man as one of the three victims of an horrific M6 accident near Lymm on Tuesday.
Traffic management worker, Raymond Schofield, aged 48, of Sandy lane, Orford, died when a Honda Civic car collided with him as he was coning off part of the M-way with colleagues.
Fellow worker, Stephen Coulter, of Spennymore Court, Runcorn, was also killed in the accident at 9.30p.m.
Driver of the car, Mehrunnisa Yusuf,31, of Duchy Avenue, Fulwood, Preston, was the third victim.
An inquest has been opened, with only evidence of identity given.
Terry Waite to help
hospice celebrate
by Terry Johnson
Former Beirut hostage, Terry Waite, will plant a tree to mark the 20th birthday celebrations of Warrington’s St. Rocco’s Hospice on Monday(May 16).
A symbol of the triumph of hope and prayer over adversity, Mr Waite will chat with patients, staff and hospice volunteers.
St Rocco’s opened in a converted vicarage in 1985. With the support of thousands of Warrington people, it has expanded to purpose-built premises in Lockton Lane, Bewsey, offering care and support to those with life-limiting conditions.
Matron Beth Eccles said: “The fantastic support of the local community over 20 years means so much to us. Terry has said he particularly wants to meet patients, staff and volunteers.
Hospice cook, ‘Jules’, will prepare a special buffet with a Sunflower theme – the National Hospice symbol. It will include a ‘Sunflower’ cake donated by Waterfields bakery.
Pension windfall
for Dallam couple
by Terry Johnson
A Warrington couple are in line for a pension bonanza of more than ?10,000.
The claim for unpaid pension credits follows a benefits ‘health check’ carried out by Golden Gates Housing’s new 60-plus benefits advice service.
The couple, who live in Dallam, were overjoyed to learn they are entitled to an extra ?91-per-week in Pension Credit – with ?10,000 of unpaid credits just waiting to be picked up.
The pensioners, who did not wish to be named, said: “This was entirely unexpected. It will make a real difference to us”.
Service manager, Stephen Jackson, said: “This case shows there are elderly people not claiming their full entitlement.
“We have a free advice service on 0800-1959-195 and will visit pensioners in their homes”.
Golden Gates Housing manages 9,300 properties for Warrington Borough Council.
Priestley celebrate
Charter Mark success
by staff reporter
STAFF at Warrington’s Priestley College are celebrating are successfully renewing their bid for Charter Mark status.
The Charter Mark scheme is the Government’s national standard for excellence in customer service and is awarded via the Prime Minister’s Office for Public Services Reform.
The Assessor spent a day in early April on the Loushers Lane campus speaking to a range of people both on and off site ranging from teaching and business support staff to parents, neighbours and Head Teachers of local schools.
Reporting back in his 10-page report the assessor highlights a number of core areas where in his opinion the College shows its strengths. These included: –
The College demonstrates an outstanding commitment to excellent customer service. Staff work well with students and parents to ensure that they are kept informed and involved. High levels of customer satisfaction have been sustained across time.
The College is keen to use technology in serving its customers and special note was made of the use of the new Virtual Learning Environment which has improved access for students to College information, course material and the internet.
The College is diligent in identifying and providing for the special needs of both students and parents and is acknowledged as having specialisms in providing support for those with special needs.
There is a variety of partnerships which work effectively to provide benefits for students and for the wider community.
Summing up the assessor added, “The assessor would like to congratulate all the staff of Priestley College on their achievement.”
Meanwhile, Principal Michael Southworth added, “Customer care is a key focus of what we are about at Priestley. I thank the assessor for his visit and I along with all of our staff on campus take great delight in the findings contained within his report.”
Fifty years ago today –
Wire lifted championship!
by Gary Skentelbery
TODAY (May 14) marks the 50th anniversary of Warrington’s last Rugby League Championship success when world record try scoring winger Brian Bevan scored Warrington’s only try in a 7 – 3 win over Oldham at a muddy Maine Road, Manchester, in front of a crowd of 49,434.
Harry Bath scored Warrington’s other points with two goals.
Warrington had reached their fifth Championship final in eight years thanks to a two try performance from skipper Ally Naughton in a 17 – 9 play-off victory over Halifax at Wilderspool.
First round defeats in both the Lancashire Cup and Challenge Cup allowed Warrington to concentrate on retaining their League Championship.
Warrington finished top of the league with 29 wins and 2 draws from their 36 league matches. Oldham also finished with the same number of points but Warrington had a far superior points difference.
Warrington and Oldham battled all season to finish top of the league. Warrington getting the upperhand by virtue of their two league wins over Oldham, 12 – 8 at Watersheddings and 18 – 4 at Wilderspool. Warrington also pipped Oldham for the Lancashire League title.
Warrington used just 25 players all season, with full-back Eric Frodsham playing in all 36. Brian Bevan topped scored with 58 tries and Harry Bath kicked 110 goals in league matches.
Now the Wolves are hoping they can repeat the success of Chelsea FC bu lifting the trophy again for the first time i
n 50 years!
Gulliver’s get
the X-factor
by staff reporter
Gulliver’s Warrington is set to welcome X-Factor finalist Megan Ramsay to judge its Battle of the Bands competition tomorrow, Sunday (May 15).
Megan, who reached the final five of her category in the show, will be the celebrity judge for the school band competition, which will include local brass and rock bands from around Cheshire and Lancashire.
Megan, who can truly say she has been at home with The Osborne’s after staying with Sharon Osborne during filming, will use experience gained from ITV’s popular wanna-be show to judge the competing bands and will also be performing live before the competition begins.
The bands will be competing for the chance to win ?200 for their group.
Visitors to the park will be able to enjoy this extra attraction and no extra charge.
Park doors open at 10.30am with the competition starting at 12.00pm.
