West Midlands families joined forces to support the launch of Muscular Dystrophy UK’s West Midlands Family Support Group.

The group has been set up to help South Asian families affected by muscle-wasting conditions get access to vital support. It will provide a range of support to the West Midlands community, such as helping them to access local health and care services and find suitable, accessible accommodation.

Around 4,000 people from the South Asian community in England and Wales have a neuromuscular condition, such as muscular dystrophy, and up to 600 people on the West Midlands are affected. Neuromuscular conditions cause muscles to weaken and waste over time, leading to increasingly severe disability. There is no cure, and few treatment options, cutting lives short.

Spearheaded by Naima Ali-Khan (36) from Coventry, Sanah Rauf (21) from Wolverhampton and Jaspal Mann (41) from Coventry, the group hopes to break down some of the language and cultural barriers that may prevent South Asian families from accessing services.

Naima, a student nurse and Muscular Dystrophy UK ambassador, whose two teenage daughters have an ultra-rare condition called SEPN1-related myopathy, said:

“As a parent of children affected by a muscle-wasting condition, it was a privilege to meet other families who really understand what you are going through. It can be overwhelming at first when you don’t know where to go to for support and this is why the group is so important. It can be empowering and reassuring to speak to others in a similar situation and learn from their experience.

“I hope the group will act as a much-needed lifeline for families who need support and understanding, when dealing with the challenges neuromuscular disease can bring.”

Bobby Ancil, Senior Neuromuscular Outreach Manager at Muscular Dystrophy UK, said: “It was good to have families coming together and drawing strength from each other. Muscle-wasting conditions can turn lives upside down, and the feeling of isolation and helplessness people often feel after a diagnosis can be all-consuming.

“By reaching out to the South Asian community in the West Midlands, we want to help families get the right support when it is most needed.”

Muscular Dystrophy UK has been supporting South Asian families affected by muscular dystrophy through the Yorkshire Neuromuscular Awaaz Forum. In 2014, the charity teamed up with Leeds General Infirmary Neuromuscular Service and two mothers from West Yorkshire, whose sons have Duchenne muscular dystrophy, to form the group. Meeting regularly in Bradford, the group brings families affected by muscular dystrophy together to support each other.

With Mother’s day just around the corner, everyone at Twycross Zoo, including the adorable mother and baby orang utan duo, Kibriah and Kayan is feeling the love

Come and say hello and visit the award-winning conservation charity in the heart of Leicestershire this Mother’s Day, where mums go FREE all mothering Sunday weekend.

On Sunday 11^th March from 1pm, visitors can treat mum to an exclusive sparkling afternoon tea in Himalaya’s Windows on the Wild Restaurant, where the whole family can enjoy a delicious range of sandwiches, scones and sweet treats.**

Open from 10am to 5pm 364 days a year, there is something for everyone at Twycross Zoo. Walk the Wetlands area, marvel at the winged wonders of the Butterfly Farm, meet the meerkats, pop and see the penguins and say hi to the snow leopards.

Twycross Zoo is open to the public from 10.00 to 17.00, 364 days a year. For more information and to book tickets visit www.twycrosszoo.org or call 0844 474 1777.

This Easter Holidays, from 24 March – 15 April, head to Newquay's Pirate's Quest for an exciting new adventure. Join the live pirate crew on the Quest for the Golden Egg with tours running daily throughout the holidays!

Embark on the special mission set by Captain Blackbeard, as you travel back in time to the Golden Age of Piracy, almost 300 years ago…

Begin your adventure on board a Pirate Hunter's Ship, the Royal Anne. The vessel left England in 1721 with the intention of sailing to the Caribbean, but wrecked off the South Coast of Cornwall.

A real LIVE pirate from the infamous Republic of Pirates will rescue you from the sinking Royal Anne, escorting you through a secret passageway, and then acting as a guide through several detailed sets and scenes. Discover mystical caves and brave the murky streets of eighteenth century Cornwall as you look out for clues that might lead to the discovery of some chocolate gold!

Eventually you'll arrive at the Captain's Ship, ready to successfully return to the Caribbean with your Easter booty.

The authentic pirates are brought to life by talented theatrical actors, who are guaranteed to make this a unique and memorable experience. Families of all ages can enjoy a fascinating opportunity to learn something new about piracy, and experience the REAL life of a seafarer during the Golden Age of Pirates.

Steps to improve green spaces, retail parades and walking routes as well as support for businesses and traders are just some of the proposals unveiled today to bring a new lease of life to Tottenham High Road.

Haringey Council’s draft Tottenham High Road strategy has been put together following earlier engagement with local people and includes a wide-range of proposals designed to improve the area such as restoring historic buildings; encouraging more people to shop and socialise in the area; reducing congestion, and creating more local job opportunities.

Local residents and businesses are being invited to share their views on the proposals as part of a consultation that runs until 23 March. There will be an exhibition at Marcus Garvey Library throughout the consultation period and public drop-in sessions on March 1 (4pm-7pm), March 3 (11am-3pm) and March 14 (5pm-8pm), also at the library.

Proposals set out in the High Road strategy follow in the footsteps of a host of recent improvements to the High Road and Tottenham’s town centres. These include landscaping and improvements at Tottenham Green; a new weekly market on the green; restoration of the war memorial; West Green Road Pocket Park; improvements to Bruce Grove Bridge; an upgraded Holcombe Road Market; Albert Place, the restoration of the former Monument Way toilets into the (soon to open) High Cross bar, and new and restored shopfronts.

Feedback will help shape future plans and investment for the High Road and surrounding areas, including Seven Sisters, West Green Road, Bruce Grove, Tottenham Green and Broad Lane.

Highlights of the draft strategy include:

Improving travel links to make it easier for people to get to Tottenham’s town centres, encouraging shopping and socialising

Working with building owners to improve the external appearance of historic buildings such as the former Barclays Bank at Seven sisters, Bruce Grove toilets, St Mark’s Church and the Palace Cathedral

Transforming the High Road in Seven Sisters to create a greener and cleaner environment with improved air quality

Making West Green Road a welcoming shopping destination with ideas like new paving, lighting and street furniture

Cllr Alan Strickland, Haringey Council Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning said:

Tottenham is an historic area with outstanding diversity. The High Road is the spine running through Tottenham and the community needs to be at the heart of any plans to improve the area’s environment and boost its prospects. We’ve already delivered a raft of positive changes, and we want to work with local people to make further improvements that will help the High Road continue to thrive in the future.

Our Tottenham High Road strategy aims to set a clear vision for the area to help shape its future success, and I would encourage all residents and businesses to let us know their views.

A councillor who once tipped the scales at nearly 30 stone is preparing to run his first London Marathon.

Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, will be taking part in the 26.2-mile race in April to raise hundreds of pounds for Sense, the national disability charity which supports people with complex communication needs.

He said: "My late brother John was hampered by being blind in one eye for most of his life, and his passing made me look for a charity that helps people with more complex needs which I could support.

"My own journey has been a rollercoaster to say the least. I was once approaching nearly 30 stone and had many health problems. I went up and down with my weight before being asked to take part in the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Call to Action in 2014 to tackle high levels of obesity in the City.

"Inspired by this, I managed to lose over eight stone and went onto to complete several 10ks and two half-marathons – but I've always wanted to do a full one."

Councillor Sweet's preparations for the London Marathon were hampered by a fractured hip and hernia surgery last year, during which time he gained some 20kgs as he was unable to run. But he vowed: "I am not going to let this setback define me and I am gently building up the miles and hoping to stay fit and well as the big day approaches.

“I’ve set a target of £1,500 for Sense, but am hoping to raise as much as I possibly can.”

Joining Councillor Sweet in this year's London Marathon – and also supporting Sense – is Martha Cummings, the council’s Voluntary Sector Coordinator. She is also a member of Wolverhampton and Bilston Athletics Club and Event Director at Wednesfield Junior parkrun.

She said: “I started running three years ago to lose a little weight and to get ready for the London Marathon which is my biggest challenge on my bucket list.

“I'm now lighter, fitter and in much better shape than when I started running, and have completed three 10ks and six half-marathons including the Great North Run and Birmingham Marathon – all to get me to London.

"There are so many good causes out there that are doing incredible work for people with very challenging lives, and I’ve used my efforts to raise money for different charities, helping a variety of people and causes.

“Sense is an amazing charity, and thanks to the generosity of family, friends and strangers I am already two-thirds of the way to raising £1,500 to help offer a life changing opportunity to someone who is deafblind or has complex needs. I would be incredibly grateful for any further support to help me to reach my target.”

Accompanying the duo at the London Marathon on Sunday 22 April will be Lisa Eardly, a nurse at Newbridge Surgery, Event Director of Wolverhampton parkrun and fellow member of Wolverhampton and Bilston Athletics Club.

She said: “Paul, Martha and I volunteer and run together at Wolverhampton parkrun at West Park every Saturday morning.

“This is my first London Marathon and I’ll be celebrating my 50th birthday a couple of weeks later.

“I’m fundraising for Kwale eye hospital in Kenya, as I’ve been fortunate to have three stints nursing voluntarily in Kenya.”

Sense supports people with complex communication needs to be understood, connected and valued. It began, and continues, to support people who are deafblind. Today, it also supports a wide range of people with complex communication needs. To find out more, please visit www.sense.org.uk.

With cold spells continuing for much of the UK, Cats Protection have some top tips to help protect cats from ‘the beast from the east’.

While snow can be beautiful and exciting for humans, it is important to remember some of the risks it poses to our feline friends.

These are some simple measures to help keep cats safe in plummeting temperatures:

• If your cat is seeing snow for the first time, let them explore a safe, enclosed area first and accompany them in case they get into difficulty.

   

• Check your cat’s paws when they come in and gently wipe off any road grit, salt or compacted snow.

   

• Like humans, cats can get frostbite.  Be vigilant for any signs of skin discolouration, pain, swelling and/or blisters, particularly on extremities such as their ears and toes.

   

• Consider keeping your cat indoors at night, when temperatures are lower and the risk of road traffic accidents is higher.

   

• Provide shelter for cats that have access outside. Keep the doors of sheds and outbuildings closed, or wedged slightly open or install a cat-flap so cats do not become trapped inside.

   

• Check your cat-flap regularly to ensure it hasn’t frozen over or become blocked by snow.

   

• Cats may climb into vehicle engines for warmth while out roaming. Be vigilant, and check under the bonnet of your vehicle before starting.

   

• The cold can severely affect the joints of arthritic cats. Provide plenty of warm and comfy places to sleep and ensure your cat can access them easily.

   

• Your cat may love to snuggle in front of the fire to keep warm; screen-off open fireplaces and always supervise your cat if you have a fire lit.