Community News

For the third year running Network Rail and the Midland Langar Seva Society charity laid on dinners for hundreds of homeless people as they put on a festive feast during Christmas Eve at Birmingham's New Street Station. But they say holding an indoor event was not possible this year because of coronavirus restrictions. Instead, 250 takeaway meals were prepared for homeless people, as well as Christmas gifts.

Patrick Power, Birmingham New Street station manager, said: "Because of social distancing we couldn't hold the meal inside in the warm as we would like, so we had to think about how to do things in a different way." In previous years tables were set up on the station plaza for a sit-down meal, but this year the food and gifts were being given out between 17:00 and 19:00 on December 24 for people to take away.  

To make sure the event was safe, disposable masks and hand sanitisers were given to people as they join the socially distanced queue, Network Rail said. There was also two portable sinks in the queuing area, to allow people to wash their hands, it added. And all the food was prepared by the Midland Langar Seva Society off-site at a kitchen in Smethwick.

Bal Thandi, from the charity, said the volunteers wanted to make sure the event went ahead in spite of the restrictions to "put smiles on people's faces. Especially because of Covid and the rules and regulations, people couldn't meet, so it is important during the festive season to make people smile, give them a hot meal and clothes and presents.

"It is thanks to the support of everybody that we were been able to put it together."

Merry Christmas to all of our readers, supporters, advertisers and friends from everyone at The Phoenix Newspaper!

A crowd-fund campaign to send food hampers as a festive treat to Wolverhampton care homes has raised more than £16,000. ‘Kindness of Christmas’ raised a total of £16,444 enabling each of the 68 care homes in the city to enjoy a luxury hamper to share with their residents this Christmas.

The campaign was supported by supermarket Tesco PLC, who donated £500 worth of goods to kick start the appeal. The supermarket also produced the hampers with City of Wolverhampton Council. Kindness of Christmas is being delivered alongside West Midlands Police’s ‘Festive Kindness’ campaign which also seeks to show support and care for the vulnerable by distributing Christmas cards to residents of care homes, as well as food and toys to food banks across the city.

Councillor Linda Leach, City of Wolverhampton Council's cabinet member for adult services, said “This year has been difficult for everyone, especially older people and their families who have been through so much during Covid-19. I know that people are feeling extremely worried and anxious, but I would like to let you know that we are continuing to support and safeguard our vulnerable residents.

“Some families and friends have not been able to hug or hold hands with loved ones in a home, and now, more than ever it’s important that we show them how special they are, and that we are thinking of them. I’d like to thank everyone who donated to the Kindness of Christmas campaign, once again you have shown the caring and community-spirited nature of our city. Your generosity means these hampers will bring some joy to the residents and the staff of all care homes in the city”.

Employees from City of Wolverhampton Council and Wolverhampton Homes volunteered their time to make sure all the hampers were carefully put together ready for distribution across the city. Any surplus money raised from the fund, after purchasing hampers and the contents will be shared equally with the care homes.

The campaign followed the previous phases of the One City Fund crowd-funding initiative, a  collaboration between the City of Wolverhampton Council, Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council (WVCS) and several organisations from across Wolverhampton, aimed at supporting vulnerable groups in the City during the pandemic.  

A total of four campaigns were run under the One City Fund umbrella between them raising over £90,000, each with a particular focus; people facing severe financial hardship as a result of Covid-19, raising vital funds to support the increased demand on the city’s food banks, supporting the homeless and helping people who have no access to technology to access important services or information.

A lost World War Two letter discovered inside a book, has finally reached its destination after 76 years thanks to a nationwide campaign by World of Books Group, the UK’s largest retailer of used books and media. The letter was written by a British soldier serving in Italy in the winter of 1944. At the time, Allied forces battled through the tough Italian Campaign in freezing conditions - a campaign that would claim the lives of around 70,000 allied soldiers by its conclusion.

 It was in these difficult conditions that Lance Corporal John Wheldon-Williams penned a heartfelt letter to High Wycombe schoolgirl, Pat Moore, thanking her for knitting supplies for anonymous troops. He himself had received a simple pair of mittens; a seemingly small gesture, but one that brought him comfort in difficult times. But Pat would never receive the letter. By the time it would have arrived at the correspondence address, she had moved on. 20 years later Pat passed away at just 36, never knowing just how much her act of kindness had meant to those on the receiving end.

Upon discovering the letter, World of Books Group launched a nationwide campaign to return it to its rightful owner and was soon contacted by Lynn Cook from Surrey. The campaign had been spotted by amateur historian Dave Thacker. Amazingly, despite the limited information publicised, Dave was able to use his skills to work out a connection between Lynn and Pat, and got in touch to let her know about World of Books’ find.

Lynn, Pat’s only surviving child, was just a young girl when her mother passed away. Although she has spent years researching her mother’s life story, she knew nothing of her kindness during the war until Dave got in touch. Lynn said: “I’m delighted to be reunited with a piece of family history I knew nothing about. It’s incredibly moving to know how much my mum’s contribution to the war effort meant on a personal level.

I have early memories of watching my mother knit at home – it’s something she always enjoyed. And I remember her telling me stories of her writing to pen pals during the war. I suspect she snuck a little note in with the package in the hope a soldier would eventually reply. She would have been overjoyed with this, and I’ll treasure it forever.”

The incredible find prompted the pair to work together and discover more about the letter. As a team, they’ve discovered information about the soldier, John Wheldon-Williams, and the family he writes about. The soldier fortunately survived the war and returned to London, where he remained until he passed away in 1970. When tracking down John’s son Brian, who was eight years old when the letter was written, they discovered he grew into a successful stage actor. Under the name David Wheldon-Williams, he starred in a number of West End shows, including the original London production of Cabaret alongside Judi Dench.

Brian sadly passed away in 2017, but they have now made contact with other relatives and given them a new piece of family history too.

Graham Bell, CEO of World of Books Group, said: “Over 75 million used books come through our business each year, and we occasionally come across forgotten personal items tucked away inside them. It’s surprisingly common for people to place memories inside books for safe keeping, whether it be family photographs or letters from loved ones. But this find was particularly poignant and we knew we had to do something to return it to its rightful owner. We’re delighted to have found Lynn and learn more about the incredible story behind the letter.”

As a circular economy business, we’re focused on finding used items new homes. In this case, it’s wonderful to bring something back full circle to where it truly belongs.”

Some people across the UK have been able to form household support bubbles or extended households. The aim is to help people who've been cut off from friends and family. The rules vary across the country, so what is the situation where you live?

A bubble is a group of people with whom you have close physical contact. The aim is to help people who've been cut off from friends and family. Bubbles must be "exclusive".

Once in one, you can't start another with a different household. If you decide to change your bubble, you should treat your previous bubble as a separate household for 10 days before forming a new one. People in a bubble can stay overnight in each other's homes, visit outdoors places together and do not have to socially distance, even in areas under tier 4 restrictions.

In England, single adults living alone - or single parents whose children are under 18 - can form a support bubble with one other household. The second household can be of any size and can include "at risk" people who were previously shielding.

Wherever possible, the government recommends that a support bubble should be with another local household to avoid unnecessary travel. Anyone in the bubble contacted as part of England's test and trace programme must stay at home. If they develop coronavirus symptoms, everyone in the bubble must self-isolate.

Under the tier system, people are allowed to form support bubbles with those who live in a higher tier area, and bubbles can be cross-border with Scotland and Wales, subject to local restrictions. The government expanded the eligibility of support bubbles in England on December 2 to help families with very young children or people with continuous care needs. This means households can form a support bubble with another household, if at least one of them has:

·         a child under 1 (regardless of how many other adults are in the household)

·         a child under 5 with a disability that requires continuous care (regardless of how marny other adults are in the household)

·         a single adult carer (living with any additional adults in the household that have a disability and need continuous care)

As well as the support bubble rules, the government in England also has a set of rules that apply to families with children under 14 (as well as to vulnerable adults).

They can form a childcare bubble with one other household to provide informal (unpaid and unregistered) childcare. This must always be between the same two households. Childcare can be provided in either or both of the two homes.

During the Christmas period, registered childcare and childcare bubbles can continue.

In Wales two households of any size can form an exclusive bubble and meet in their own homes and gardens. People in the same bubble can stay in each other's homes overnight.

And they can meet up in groups of larger than four in some other outdoor places. If you were part of a temporary extended household during the firebreak period, or were in one before that, you can make a new bubble, instead. However, once you have agreed and joined that new extended household, neither household can leave to form a new one.

Under the five tier system in Scotland, people who live on their own or only with children under 18 can form an extended household with people from one other household.

People in extended households are counted as one household, and so can continue to meet and socialise with each other despite general restrictions on households mixing, and can stay overnight in each other's homes. Couples who do not live together can also form an extended household, which can include any children they each live with.

A household must not form an extended household with more than one other. However, one of them can end the arrangement at any time, and - as long as they wait at least 14 days - then form a new extended household with someone else.

If any member of an extended household develops symptoms or tests positive for Covid, everyone in the bubble must self-isolate.

Two households of any size can form a support bubble. The members can spend time indoors and stay overnight with each other.

Under the latest restrictions, these bubbles are limited to a maximum of 10 people, including children, at any one time. Schools are using year group and/or class bubbles to support social distancing and reduce close contact between pupils as much as possible.

Maintaining distinct groups which do not mix makes it quicker and easier when a positive case occurs to identify those who may need to self-isolate and minimise their number.

Coventry entrepreneur Nyasha Pitt brings beautiful, brave, brilliant Black performers back to the stage for IDENT2020 – the UK’s only annual arts festival which ONLY platforms Black performers.

Last year’s event, which was also funded by the City of Culture Trust, took place at Warwick Arts Centre. This year, the event will be streamed via YouTube on 21.12.20 – the shortest day of the year and the night upon which the Christmas Star (or the ‘Great Conjunction’ of

Saturn and Jupiter) will be visible for the first time in 800 years.

The digital festival will feature dance, photography, spoken word, gospel music, opera, comedy and more. The aim of the festival remains the same: the celebration, rather than appropriation, of Black talent, for the benefit and enjoyment of all.

Commenting on this year’s event, Nyasha said: “I cannot wait to share this event with everyone. 

"Last year was awesome; this year, we may have to create new words just to describe the incredible talent shared with us all, at a time when we all need inspiration. Black creativity is magical. And for far too long, we have been disenfranchised from even acknowledging our power.

"Other races can be applauded for their skills… however, when it comes to Black peoples, our talent only holds value when it is appropriated. Or worse, when we are only supported to deliver projects which reinforce racial stereotypes and negative biases. That has to stop.

IDENT is a small contribution towards the massive change needed.”

IDENT2020 will feature some emergent and established Black UK & US talent:

• Birmingham’s Poet Laureate Casey Bailey
• Coventry poet Kassandra Gordon
• Coventry-based visual artist melissandre varin
• Birmingham Comedian Smash Entertainz
• Birmingham jazz musician Romarna Campbell
• Birmingham composer & musician Ray Prince
  (Gospel Revisited Project)
• Birmingham wordsmith KSSence

The CEO of www.Just-Tickets.com  - the UKs fasting growing self-service events ticketing website – Dr Paul Lawrence MA launched the ticket-booking site in 2018. It was just one in a line of benevolent-led creations from his myriad worldly achievements, before it was announced that he had passed away.

With over 35-years of experience as an IT professional, he previously worked throughout Europe delivering work-class solutions to a wide variety of customers, the Jamaica-native

was a founding member of the multiple award-winning charity 100 Black Men of London and a trustee of the youth mentoring charity Youth Synergy, Jamaica-born Dr Paul Lawrence, who moved to England in1989,  was also an author, newspaper columnist, coach and philanthropist, he was widely respected for his work in creating positive platforms for children and young people.

A community-based charity led by Black men delivering programmes and activities focused on mentoring, education, economic empowerment, plus health & wellness, 100 Black Men of London has been serving its community since 2001, as it impacts thousands of lives through the work that they continue to do.

On his death – a week before the launch of the Jamaica Floods Fundraising Concert, in which he was to be very much part of – his brother, Hubert, said: “As a very brother, he (Paul) was always a loyal, passionate and dedicated man whose open-door policy on life meant that he would always be ready, willing and able to help others.

“The family was proud of his achievements in the UK, and were looking forward to him returning to Jamaica.”

On social media a message by Brenda McLeod of Jamaicans From Around The Globe read;

‘Condolences to Hubert Lawrence in London.

‘Condolences to all the Lawrence family.

‘May his soul rise in power.’

He recently launched his own YouTube talk show - People Talk – which covers issues from domestic violence, to child abuse and much more relative topics.

A visionaries and leader, the entrepreneur led the concept of the UK-based organisation, which was Britain’s answer to the America-based 100 Black Men Inc., which was founded by Dr William H. Hayling – who, himself, also passed very recently.

Dr Paul died after reportedly experiencing breathing difficulties.

He was 56.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged people to keep Christmas celebrations "short" and "small" to reduce the risk of spreading Covid over the festive period. Restrictions will still be relaxed between 23 and 27 December - but the PM said people should "think hard" before meeting friends and family.

In Wales only two households - plus an additional single person who lives alone - will be allowed to meet by law. And in Scotland people are being asked to only meet on one of the five days.

The PM said the law was remaining the same in England but "a smaller Christmas is going to be a safer Christmas and a shorter Christmas is a safer Christmas.

“When we say three households can meet on five days, I want to stress, these are maximums, not targets to aim for, and it's always going to be safest to minimise the number of people you meet," he told a Downing Street press conference.

"If that means you're visiting others, we're asking you, for the five days beforehand, as early as Friday, to reduce the number of people you're in contact with to the lowest possible." He also advised people to avoid travelling from "high prevalence" areas to those with lower rates of coronavirus and not to stay away from home overnight if possible.

The PM urged caution over seeing elderly or vulnerable relatives. "Remember, the vaccine is on the way and our aim is to inoculate everyone who's extremely vulnerable, or elderly, by the early months of next year," he said. "If you have an elderly relative, you might want to delay seeing them until they've been vaccinated."

"Whatever your plans for Christmas, please think carefully about avoiding crowds in the Boxing Day sales, and no one should be gathering in large groups to see in the new year," he added. And England's chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty warned: "Just because you can do something doesn't mean it's sensible in any way."

"Any kind of period where people come together in groups that otherwise wouldn't meet leads to an increase in risks and that will lead to an increase in hospitalisations and deaths," he said. He urged people to keep their Christmas celebrations small, short and local to reduce these risks.

UK leaders had come under pressure to review the guidance for Christmas amid rising infections.

Wales has announced it will head back into a stay-at-home lockdown as soon as the Christmas period is over. Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said her "strong recommendation" was to "spend Christmas in your own home with your own household", and if people do mix with others they should only do so for one of the five days.

She added: "We will set out advice if you are living in any of the nations in one of the highest level of protection - which in England and London is tier three - then we don't think you should be travelling to other parts of the UK."

Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster said she would wait to hear from her health minister before announcing changes, but added people must take "all and every precaution" over the festive period. Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she recognised governments needed to provide "flexibility" over Christmas and that people needed to take personal responsibility for their actions.

The four UK nations previously agreed a set of rules for the festive period, which has been set down in legislation and is not expected to change in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland - even though the guidance has been updated.

·         Between 23 and 27 December, you can form a "Christmas bubble" comprised of people from three households

·         You can travel between tiers and between UK nations to meet your bubble

·         You can only meet in homes, places of worship or public outdoor spaces - not pubs or restaurants

·         You can meet people outside your bubble according to your local rules

But in Wales new guidance on households mixing will be put into law, meaning only two households - plus an additional single person who lives alone - will be able to form a Christmas bubble.

Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said Labour would support tougher restrictions over Christmas.

"We would have liked to have seen a toughening up today from the prime minister - perhaps something like what we've seen in Wales, reducing households," he said. "I think he's going to have to go further in the coming days."

An information campaign is expected to be launched in the days running up to Christmas, with people being urged to think carefully before bubbling with elderly or at-risk relatives.

People from the UK’s Black community are being encouraged to accept a Covid-19 vaccine amid concerns that they are less likely to take it up.

District nurse Genevieve Palmer was given the jab at Kingswood Health Centre in Bristol on Tuesday. She asked communities to take the vaccine "to protect yourself, protect your family and protect everybody."

A Royal Society for Public Health survey found that BAME groups, in general, were less likely to want the Covid vaccine. Office for National Statistics (ONS) data showing that Black people are almost twice as likely to die from Covid-19 as white people, with those of Bangladeshi and Pakistani ethnicity about 1.7 times as likely. Ms Palmer said she was "very happy" to receive the inoculation but admitted there was scepticism in the Black community, even among her friends.

"When I was coming here, I ran into some friends from my background and when I said I'm going to get my Covid vaccine it wasn't well accepted, people were asking 'are you sure?'

"I just want to tell them, everyone in my ethnic minority, it's very safe, go and have it to protect yourself, protect your family and protect everybody. I want to encourage them to get out there and have it. Do your research, stop believing what you see on Youtube, it doesn't help."

Dr Neil Kerfoot is leading the vaccination programme at Kingswood Health Centre.He said that first in line were people aged over 80 and they had taken into account patients' other illnesses, vulnerability and ethnicity when planning the order of vaccinations for the community.

"I think it rates as one of the most complicated and challenging, but also one of the most exciting things we've done," said the GP.

Christina Marriott, chief executive of the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH), said "anti-vaccination messages have been specifically targeted" at some ethnic and religious communities through mediums such as messaging service WhatsApp.

Meanwhile, Bristol City Council said working with Somali, Sudanese and Pakistani communities in schools, cafes and housing estates has helped to bring the city's coronavirus case numbers down. The council and its health partners focused on areas including Barton Hill, Lawrence Hill, Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston.

Deputy Mayor for communities Asher Craig said they had seen numbers "plummet" particularly in areas where there are significant BAME communities.

It has been said that advice around celebrating Christmas safely across the UK is expected to be significantly strengthened in the coming days. People are likely to be urged to think carefully about travelling and to stay local where possible. However, it is unlikely the agreed rules - allowing up to three households to mix for five days - will change.

Officials from all four nations had just held talks - with more scheduled to take place today.

It comes amid concern that relaxing the restrictions will fuel a further surge in Covid-19 case numbers with two leading medical journals describing the current rules as "rash".

It was said that no final decisions had been taken but people are likely to be told that the relaxations are limits not targets and that they should be cautious when forming household bubbles. It is still hoped a common approach can be agreed across the four nations.

Under the agreed Christmas rules, travel restrictions will be eased from 23 to 27 December to allow up to three households to form a bubble and stay overnight at each other's homes.

A spokeswoman for Northern Ireland's government said scientific advisers would be consulted ahead of any decision, while a Welsh government spokesman said talks there would "confirm the position".

Ahead of the talks, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon argued there was a "case" for tightening the planned freedoms to combat a rise in infections and indicated she could break with the four-nations approach.

Meanwhile, government figures just out show another 18,450 cases and 506 deaths within 28 days of a positive test were reported in the UK.

The UK Home Secretary Priti Patel announced that the government will be give up to £100,000 to victims of the Windrush scandal, which saw thousands of people wrongly threatened with deportation. She declcared that the minimum payment will rise from £250 to £10,000, and the maximum from £10,000 to £100,000.

The figure will be higher in exceptional circumstances, with money coming through quicker than before.

The Windrush scandal mainly affected UK citizens, originally from the Caribbean, who were granted indefinite leave to remain in 1971, but thousands were children who had travelled on their parents' passports. Because of this, many were unable to prove they had the right to live in the country when "hostile environment" immigration policies - demanding the showing of documentation - began in 2012, under then Home Secretary Theresa May.

The scandal broke in 2018, including the revelation that many of those affected had lost homes and jobs and had been denied access to healthcare and benefits.

A large number of people died while awaiting payments under the compensation scheme set up for victims.

Campaigners for the Windrush victims will be asking why the announcement by Home Secretary Patel didn't come sooner. The government set up the Windrush Compensation Scheme when the scandal became public in 2018, but that scheme has long been criticised for being too slow and resulting in offers some say are too low. The speed at which claims are processed and money is offered is seen as being particularly crucial, given that many of those affected are elderly.

The additional announcement that the compensation process for loss of earnings will also change could potentially lead to even larger payouts for victims. Early responses from claimants suggest a sense of cautious optimism at the latest announcement, with one person telling me they won't believe it until a cheque is in the post.

The Windrush Compensation Scheme will be updated following consultation with the Windrush Working Group, chaired by Bishop Derek Webley.

The Home Secretary told the House of Commons there would be "substantial changes", adding that these would "make a real difference to people's lives". She added: "I've always promised to listen and act to ensure that the victims of Windrush receive the maximum amount of compensation they deserve.

"It's my mission to correct the wrongs of the past and I will continue to work with the Windrush Working Group to do exactly that."

The changes to the scheme will apply retrospectively, meaning those previously given less than £10,000 will receive top-up payments. The Home Office is also removing the 12 months' salary limit on compensation for earnings lost by people forced out of their jobs.

It will start letting those affected by the changes know from next week.

Bishop Webley said: "Many will benefit from the relief that these new payments will provide, and begin to move forward with their lives with hope and determination."

An estimated 500,000 people living in the UK make up the surviving members of the Windrush generation.

An Equality and Human Rights Commission report last month said government action taken to "record and respond to negative equality impacts" of hostile environment immigration policies had been "perfunctory and therefore insufficient".

It called for a plan" of "specific actions" to "avoid a future breach", with the commission's interim chair, Caroline Waters, describing the treatment of the Windrush generation as "a shameful stain on British history".

The Windrush compensation scheme came into force last year, with £2m being paid out so far and a further £1m offered.

Christmas this year is going to be very different for everyone and there are many people that are going to need support. This year, Prezzo has teamed up with Global’s Make Some Noise, the official charity of Global, the Media and Entertainment group, to support small and local charities across the UK, helping those hit hardest by coronavirus.

Whilst the doors might be currently closed for dining across England, Prezzo has launched its Christmas menu and fundraising campaign nationwide to take-away customers in England, until restaurants can open again. 

Prezzo is calling on its customers to help spread smiles and happiness for those who need it most this Christmas. There are two ways to support:

Secret Sprouts

Prezzo is launching a “new dish” on this year’s Christmas menu; Secret Sprouts. This dish is invisible (no sprouts will arrive at the table!). The £2 cost of the dish will be donated to Global’s Make Some Noise, to support small charities up and down the country, helping people affected by coronavirus in the communities of Prezzo’s restaurants. This includes Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid which provides vital support for unpaid carers who live in East Dunbartonshire.

Christmas cards 

There will also be a Christmas card for children to colour in this year. Prezzo and Global’s Make Some Noise will distribute the cards to older people, many who are going to be on their own this Christmas, to spread some smiles and festive cheer. The cards will also be available digitally to download for any families that want to take part.

Global’s Make Some Noise supports small charities up and down the country that are helping those experiencing homelessness and hunger, grief, domestic abuse, loneliness, illness and mental health problems, as well as carers and care workers.

Karen Jones, Prezzo Chairman said: “This year has been tough on everyone, so we really want Prezzo to be a welcoming, covid-secure escape this Christmas. We also want to do our bit to make a difference. Global’s Make Some Noise is supporting community charities up and down the country, working with those most affected by the pandemic. One of our core values is ‘community’, so this partnership is a perfect fit. Here's to selling lots of secret sprouts!”

Emma Bradley, Director of Global Goodness, said: “We’re so grateful to Prezzo for choosing to support our appeal with their very special menu item, Secret Sprouts. This feel good campaign will help to raise vital funds for small, local charities doing essential work in our communities. On top of this, the Christmas cards that we’ll be helping to deliver will provide some comfort and cheer for those who might be experiencing loneliness or isolation this winter. The pandemic has had an unprecedented effect on our communities, but thanks to Prezzo and the generosity of the public, we’re able to support those in need by helping small charities continue their critical work.”

The Prezzo Christmas menu is available from Tuesday 17th November via Click & Collect, Deliveroo and Just Eat. The Secret Sprouts is only available via Click & Collect.

Guests in Scotland and Wales can enjoy the Christmas set menu of two courses for £15 and three courses for £19 in their local restaurant. As for England available, those in lockdown can get the same set menu with 20% off Click & Collect to enjoy on their sofas.

A Codsall dad and his colleagues grew moustaches this month to help raise £50,000 for surgery and aftercare for his three-year-old son.

Nick England, 41, and nine of his colleagues at Trailfinders in Birmingham grew their facial hair for the fund for three-year-old James for the third year in a row. Chairman and founder of Trailfinders Mike Gooley agreed to match the amount of any funds raised – meaning that this year the event raised over £10,000, including the matchfunding.

James was born ten weeks early and spent the first five weeks of his life in intensive care. Aged 15 months he was diagnosed with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy. He has spasticity in both his legs and arms which can be uncomfortable and restricts his movements. He cannot sit unaided or walk, but he can bunny-hop crawl and almost catch his big brother Edward, aged 5.

James is currently on the waiting list for selective dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) surgery at Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool and the family need to raise the funds for this as well as specialist equipment and physiotherapy. It will not be covered by the NHS, but his neurosurgeon believes that the procedure will improve James’ quality of life and reduce his pain. It may also help him to walk.

Nick said: ‘It’s great that my colleagues have got behind me again. Obviously this year was very different – we are all working from home and some of us are furloughed, so there was none of the usual comparing hair growth in the office! But we kept things going on social media, Zoom and the like so it was a fun event even so.’

‘I am of course very grateful to Trailfinders for agreeing to the match funding again.’

The England family are being supported by Tonbridge-based Tree of Hope, a charity which helps families fundraise for children like James with healthcare needs.

People across the West Midlands are being urged to ‘put Alzheimer’s Society on their Christmas list’ as the charity seeks to ensure no one affected by dementia goes without the support they need over the festive season. The charity has led the way in highlighting the devastating impact lockdown has had on those with the condition and their loved ones. And it’s at the forefront of a campaign to end restrictions that have prevented family members from hugging, or even holding hands with, loved ones living with dementia in care homes.

Alzheimer’s Society is calling for designated family members to be given ‘key worker status’ which includes access to PPE and rapid, regular testing. This acknowledges the vital role families often play in caring for loved ones in care homes, from assisting them with tasks such as eating and drinking, to helping them articulate their needs, which can prove critical.

The charity’s dedicated army of expert Dementia Advisers are preparing for what could be their busiest ever festive period as people continue to struggle with isolation and loneliness, due to the current restrictions. Dementia Advisers offer a personalised support service for people affected by dementia and provide advice, information and can connect people to other local services.

Kate Lee, Alzheimer’s Society’s Chief Executive, said: “Since lockdown began in March, Alzheimer’s Society’s vital support services have been used more than 2.7 million times and are proving to be a lifeline for thousands of people.

“More than a quarter of all coronavirus deaths have been people living with dementia, making them the worst-hit by the pandemic. Many more are isolated from social contact, essential health and care support which is why we need people to donate to our Christmas Appeal so anyone struggling will have a Dementia Adviser on hand when they need them.

“Your support could help make sure no one faces dementia alone. Donating is easy – simply visit alzheimers.org.uk”

Michael Renenhan from Birmingham, who is just one of 70,000 people living with dementia in the West Midlands, said: “I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s six years ago and I usually go to Alzheimer’s Society’s support groups, but I can’t go because of coronavirus – I haven’t been out in a fortnight. But knowing someone is there at the end of a phone line is very reassuring and Alzheimer’s Society and their wonderful Dementia Advisers have been a great support. Physically I feel okay and I’ve been out in the garden with the dog, but I miss socialising and seeing friends and family. It’s really nice to get to speak to someone for a bit on the phone.”

The charity’s next major fundraising activity will be a star-studded virtual ‘Carols at Christmas’ event on Thursday 17 December, hosted by Oscar-nominated actress Carey Mulligan and featuring readings from actor Jonathan Pryce, actress Lesley Manville and Sir Trevor McDonald. Pop group Scouting for Girls will sing their version of Wham’s Last Christmas. Also performing will be 80-year-old musician Paul Harvey, who is living with dementia.

Paul, who was born in Stoke on Trent and studied at the Guildhall School of Music, made headlines around the world when a video of his composition, ‘Four Notes’, was viewed millions of times. The song has since been released with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra as a charity single.

Taking part in the virtual event, which begins at 6:30pm, is free. However, Alzheimer’s Society is asking audience members to consider making a donation to support its vital work. To register or for further information, visit alzheimers.org.uk

A West Midlands Metro extension linking Digbeth with the city centre has moved a step forward with the much-anticipated light rail route now in the preliminary construction stage following approval by the Department of Transport earlier this year. The £227m Birmingham Eastside extension will help transform and support the regeneration of Digbeth through improving connectivity and making the most out of HS2. The 1.7km extension will run from Bull Street, in the city centre, to Digbeth, adding four new tram stops to the Metro network.

More than half of the route is planned to be free of overhead wires, similar to the recently opened extension from Grand Central to Centenary Square, and construction for the project includes urban realm upgrades for Digbeth High Street ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. The extension was made possible following confirmation of funding from the Department for Transport, which has been topped up with prudential borrowing and a £15 million grant from the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) to fund improvements to Digbeth High Street.

Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street joined representatives from Birmingham City Council, Midland Metro Alliance and the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) at New Bartholomew Street in Digbeth to witness the work taking place first hand as an existing water main beneath the city’s streets is upgraded and future-proofed ahead, benefiting both Metro and HS2 main works. He said: “Major transport infrastructure projects are critical to helping our economy bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic. Guaranteeing significant work for the construction sector helps to both create and protect local jobs for local people, and I am therefore delighted that we’ve been able to press ahead with the Eastside extension with residents now starting to see work become more visible around the route.

"This scheme would not have been possible without significant funding coming from the Government earlier this year, and I want to thank both the Department for Transport and the Treasury for backing the West Midlands and our plans to make major changes to our public transport network after decades of under investment.

"This extension will not only connect the east and west of Birmingham by tram, but also provide a direct route for many across the Black Country to travel directly to the new Curzon Station for HS2. This is just one of three metro extensions that are currently underway, along with the re-opening of old railway lines and stations, a re-design of our cycling network, and the introduction of electric buses.”

Beginning earlier in the autumn, the Midland Metro Alliance, working on behalf of Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) have been busy assessing, upgrading and diverting existing utilities along Lower Bull Street, Digbeth High Street and High Street Deritend. The activities, most of which have been taking place overnight to limit disruption to pedestrians and the travelling public, are underway alongside detailed design work for the landmark light rail scheme.

Councillor Ian Ward, West Midlands Combined Authority portfolio holder for transport and leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “It’s exciting to see this work become more noticeable in recent weeks. Those working and living in the city have benefited from the extension of the West Midlands Metro to the west of Birmingham and now those who travel to and from Digbeth will be delighted to see that this massive project is well underway bringing these same benefits to the east.”

Matthew Rhodes, board director for GBSLEP said: ‘’GBSLEP has committed funds to help Birmingham City Council develop the business cases for Digbeth High Street public realm. Realigning the Metro on the High Street and investing in the public realm is vital to ensure we not only create a space that focuses on pedestrians but also provide a world class corridor for public transport, including buses and new Sprint vehicles. As a key development catalyst, it’s important we look at every aspect of growth in Digbeth to ensure the area is better connected to the city and to the HS2 and Curzon Street development. All this work will help increase investment alongside the Birmingham Eastside Metro extension.  GBSLEP is committed to enabling inclusive economic growth and we see this area as a great opportunity to create jobs as well as a sense of place as we strive to make our city region the best to live in and work in.

The Midland Metro Alliance, the organisation planning, designing and constructing the tramway, has been keeping those in the local area informed of these recent activities via their dedicated Engagement Team. Further information for stakeholders and the travelling public will be shared in coming weeks as these key preliminary works ramp-up across the city centre and the east of Birmingham.

Martin Gallacher, project director for the Birmingham Eastside Metro extension, said: “Although many colleagues have been working remotely in recent months, activities for this extension project have continued on schedule along with important discussions with Transport for West Midlands and our construction team regarding scheduling further preliminary activities. Ultimately our aim is to develop the best tramway, in the most efficient way, for the city and people of Birmingham.”

Due to the complexity of the parallel work at the HS2 Curzon Street Station, discussions are currently underway to determine a suitable opening date that would benefit all parties. Transport for West Midlands will continue to work with HS2 and partners to complete the line as soon as possible. The project forms the first part of the proposed East Birmingham to Solihull extension which will take the line further east through Bordesley Green and Chelmsley Wood to Birmingham Airport, the NEC and the HS2 interchange station.

Six new roads forming part of the Perry Barr Residential Scheme have been officially named through a contest in which members of the public were invited to submit their suggestions and ideas.

Louise Kilbride of Handsworth Wood impressed a panel of judges drawn from members of the local community, councillors and project officials with her submission - based on the theme of cohesion and shared values for Perry Barr and surrounding areas.

The names suggested for the six streets that will serve 1,400 much-needed homes are:

1.    Diversity Grove

2.    Equality Road

3.    Destiny Road

4.    Inspire Avenue

5.    Respect Way

6.    Humanity Close

Louise, who lives approximately one mile away from the new streets, said: “I came across the street naming competition in the council's e-newsletter.

“It got me thinking about street names that could in some way reflect the diversity of the Perry Barr area – names that would have a positive meaning for local people and echo my belief that everyone deserves decent housing. That's when I thought of these names and I feel honoured that these have been picked.”

Councillor Waseem Zaffar, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment at Birmingham City Council, chaired the naming selection panel which unanimously agreed the winning entry.

He said: “We were delighted with the standard of the entries that people put forward to name these streets in the largest regeneration scheme we have seen in the north west of Birmingham for many decades. I want to thank everyone who took some time to get involved with this contest. But it was clear one entry stood out in a very strong field. The names put forward by Louise struck a chord with everyone on the panel and the chosen values captured the essence of Perry Barr and indeed the city of Birmingham as a whole.”

Given the eyes of the sporting world will be on this part of Birmingham in less than two years when the Alexander Stadium hosts athletics and the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the fact the winning entry utilised the Commonwealth Sport movement’s values of Humanity, Equality and Destiny was felt by the judging panel to give these names a reinforced local relevance.

The use of the values of was also applauded by Dame Louise Martin DBE, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation.

She added: “On behalf of the entire Commonwealth Sport Movement and our 72 nations and territories, I am delighted to see that these new Perry Barr streets incorporate our values of Humanity, Equality and Destiny. This is important as the Perry Barr Regeneration Scheme will be one of the great legacies of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

“Due to Birmingham hosting the Games, this much-needed residential scheme has been significantly accelerated. The additional investment from central government, which has come as part of the Bid commitment, has made this possible.

“It is a clear example of partners working together across Birmingham and the West Midlands to deliver the best possible legacy from the Games. Congratulations to Louise for her successful entry to name six new roads and she is a worthy winner.”

Work is well underway on homes that will use the street names, situated on the site of the former Birmingham City University Campus. Topping out (completion of the highest point of a structure) was recently achieved on one of the site plots with others following soon.

Lendlease is the principal contractor for the 1,400 homes, part of the wider Perry Barr regeneration programme - which includes improved leisure and community facilities, upgraded transport infrastructure and 5,000 new homes. And it was Lendlease that devised the concept of the street naming contest as part of its effort to engage with the local community whilst it delivers the project.

Anna Evans, Lendlease’s Project Director at Perry Barr, said: “These are wonderful street names for the vibrant new neighbourhood we are creating. Congratulations to Louise, who has helped play an important role in the future history of Perry Barr.”

All members of the judging panel said they were impressed with the creativity and thinking that went into all the entries.

Panellist and local resident Aisha Masood, who is also the Young (WM) Combined Authority Co-chair, said: “It was an absolute honour to be part of the selection panel. There was an impressive submission of entries that epitomised not just the core values and culture of Perry Barr but encompassed what the area is all about.”

It is expected the homes using the new street names will be ready for occupation in 2023.