Health & Wellbeing

Act Like You’ve Got It, Anyone Can Spread It – that’s the message of a new, hard-hitting Government campaign that urges people of all ages to take the risks of coronavirus seriously.

The campaign has three clear messages about coronavirus:

Anyone can get it, anyone can spread it
Act like you’ve got it, anyone can spread it
If you go out, you can spread it. People will die.

John Denley, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Director of Public Health, said: "The new campaign makes it very clear that anyone can get coronavirus, and that anyone can spread it.

“By reducing our day-to-day contact with other people, we reduce the chance of coronavirus spreading, and that is why we all need to follow the Government's social distancing measures – particularly with the Easter Bank Holiday weekend approaching.

“We’ve now had nearly three weeks of social distancing, and the Government’s Chief Scientific Advisor has said that it seems to be starting to have the desired effect in terms of reducing the rate of new infections. It is absolutely crucial that people do not let down their guard at this time and see the Easter weekend as a chance to start ignoring the rules – because people’s lives are at stake.”

The measures include people staying at home except for very limited purposes, the closure of non-essential shops and community spaces and preventing gatherings of more than two people in public, except for members of the same household.

These measures should be followed by everyone. Separate advice is available for people or households who are isolating, and for the most vulnerable who need to be shielded.

Mr Denley said: "It great to see that so many individuals, families and businesses in Wolverhampton are complying with the guidance, and I thank every one of them for the sacrifices they are making at this difficult time. However, it is crucial that everybody continue to follow these measures if they are to be effective.

"Please consider not only your loved ones but also those in your community who are working so very hard to care for the elderly and vulnerable. It is vital we all play our part and stay home to protect lives and the NHS.”

People should only leave the house:

To shop for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible.
For one form of exercise a day, for instance a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household.
For any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person.
To travel to and from work, but only where work cannot be done from home, or to take children to and from school if parents are classed as 'critical workers'.

The Government has ordered non-essential businesses and public spaces to be closed, including pubs, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, non-essential shops, markets (excluding food markets), libraries, community centres and youth centres, indoor and outdoor leisure facilities, communal places within parks (such as playgrounds, sports courts and outdoor gyms), places of worship, hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, campsites and caravan parks.

The Government has banned all public gatherings of more than two people, except where they are from the same household or where the gathering is essential for work purposes – but workers should be trying to minimise all meetings and other gatherings in the workplace. People should keep 2m apart at all times, unless they are from the same household.

All social events, including weddings, baptisms and other religious ceremonies, have been stopped. Funerals continue, but can only be attended by immediate family members.

The latest information and guidance around coronavirus is available at www.gov.uk/coronavirus and on the council’s own coronavirus pages at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/coronavirus. There’s lots of advice on how people can protect themselves and their families from coronavirus from the NHS at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.

People who have registered to volunteer to support the NHS in England during the coronavirus pandemic have now been sent details of the tasks that they can do to help.

More than 750,000 people signed up to join the ‘volunteer army’ – which is three times the government target – to help to relieve the intense pressure that the NHS is currently under.

All of the volunteers may have to deliver food and medicines, drive patients to and from appointments and make telephone contacts with people in isolation.

The process is being managed through ‘GoodSam’ a mobile app, where health professionals, pharmacists and local authorities can upload requests for help.

Thousands of approved volunteers will now be able which task that they wish to undertake in their area.

The government scheme initially had a target of recruiting 250,000 helpers, with recruitment having to be temporarily paused due to having to process the first wave of applications.

Catherine Johnson, chief executive of the Royal Volunteer Service said that it had been “a mammoth effort” to get the scheme up and running but it is now “open for business”.

The Royal Volunteer Service charity - which is helping to co-ordinate the scheme - has now said to have completed checks on the applications.

She said: “It’s determined gritt that has got us through 750,000 volunteers.

To authenticate those under normal circumstances would take months, but we don’t have months.

“We want to shield the most at-risk patients now”.

Former Formula 1 chief, Ron Dennis, has created a new scheme to supply one million free meals to NHS workers as they go above and beyond in the fight against coronavirus.

Dennis, the former head of McLaren has said that his foundation has put a £1.5million budget and joined forces with a number of companies to supply 1,000 a day to people working in the health sector.

Dennis, 72, said: “I wanted a big solution to a big problem.

“It is an amazing effort, which I think is reflective of my reputation.

“If I say I’m going to do something, then I do it”.

 UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has spent the night in intensive care at the St Thomas’ Hospital, in central London, after his condition with coronavirus worsened,

Mr Johnson, aged 55, has been given oxygen but has not been put on a ventilator, cabinet minister, Michael Gove said.

The prime minister has since been said to be “in good spirits” after spending the night in intensive care before being treated for coronavirus No.10 said.

Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, has been asked to deputise for the Prime Minister.

Arriving at No.10 on Tuesday, he said that the prime minister was “in very good hands”.

World leaders have sent messages of ‘get well’ to Johnson.

A spokesperson said that Mr Johnson was stable overnight, and is being given oxygen and is not on a ventilator.

It comes after Cabinet Office minister, Michael Gove, became the latest politician to self-isolate after a family member showed signs of the virus.

Coventry City of Culture Trust is providing 100 free spaces on a mental health masterclass for those who are self-isolating and working from home during the COVID-19 crisis.

The remote masterclass will be run by Coventry-based training provider PET-Xi.

The sessions will take place on April 6^th and 10^th with 50 free spaces each day.

The masterclass will feature advice and training on how to best look after one’s own mental health as well as providing support for others who may be suffering under the current social distancing measures.

The masterclasses are broke down into the following:

10.00 – Welcome and check-in

10.15 – Understand mental health and wellbeing

11.00 – Understand how mentally ill health affects the experience of individuals

11.30 – Understand ways to self-manage own wellbeing

12.00 – Identify sources of guidance and support for mental health

BREAK

13.00 – Self-motivation and time management

13.30 – Understand ways to self-manage own mental health and self-awareness

14.00 – Outlining strategies to manage own mental health

14.30 – Resilience during difficult times – the importance of fresh air, exercise and

interacting with family and friends through other means than face-to-face.

According to the mental health charity Mind, approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem in the space of a year.

Mental health issues can often be made worse when isolation occurs and socialising with family and friends is not an option, this is why it is so important that people can learn how to make sure they are taking care of their mental health as well as they can.

And, that employers and/or managers understand what they can do to support staff.

The Nightingale Hospital being built at the Birmingham NEC is set to be open and fully operational on April 12 senior regional health chiefs have said.

Practice will begin on April 10, with doors fully open to patients two days later.

The site, on the outskirts of Birmingham, initially will have capacity or 500 beds which can then be scaled up to an increased capacity of 1,500.

The NHS Nightingale Hospitals are emergency sites to treat the large, increasing overflow of patients with coronavirus.

The Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, has said that two more Nightingale Hospitals have been set for Bristol, in Gloucestershire and Harrogate, in Yorkshire.

In the Covid-19 daily press briefing, he explained: “The Bristol Nightingale will have a capacity of up to 1,000 beds. The capacity for Harrogate will be 500”.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus crisis, Hancock said the number of critical care beds have been boosted by more than 2,500 – before the addition of the Nightingale Hospitals.

With he himself just recently out of isolation after contracting coronavirus, the Health Secretary added that it means that 2,000 of the beds are now free and available.

As the UK sees an increase in coronavirus cases, Senior Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing at Birmingham City University, Kim Moore, explains what to do to cope with coronavirus induced anxiety…

It is not easy with the daily updates of coronavirus infection rates to stay calm and anxiety free, it is a worrying time and the information is constantly changing. 

It would seem that in the next few days and weeks, coronavirus will become a daily conversation for us all and like me, you are probably worrying about the risk to yourself and family members. 

Given the rapid spread of the virus globally it is normal to be concerned about coronavirus, remember that anxiety often works to protect us from harm, but if it begins to overwhelm you to the exclusion of your normal daily activities then this could be a problem.

It can be hard to shift your thoughts about something that is currently happening around you, so distraction is a good way to help reduce your levels of stress and anxiety.

Here are some activities that may help:

·       Download an image for adult colouring and create a masterpiece – this is a soothing

activity.

·       Put on your favourite song and sing along with the lyrics.

·       Watch a film or game show and turn the sound up to immerse yourself in the action,

alternatively start a new game on your game console.

·       Learn new words in different languages, or learn a new language.

·       Call or FaceTime a friend and chat about the latest film you watched or book you read.

·       Attend or do some yoga or tai chi exercise, or even take yourself for a stroll in your local

park.

·       Spend time with a pet if you have one.

·       If you can’t resist, spring clean the kitchen or clean the oven.

·       Use the link to Public Health England to check for reputable updates on what to do.

Harvard-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon, philanthropist and Founder of R.E.S.T.O.R.E Worldwide Inc. Foundation, Dr Michael K Obeng, has been recognised as one of the 2020 EBONY Power 100 honorees along with other powerhouses.

Obeng who was described by EBONY as a humanitarian, health-care consultant and a true visionary, who has transcended barriers and all stereotypes; continuing to trail-blaze paths that many only dream of.

Apart from his reputation as a “Surgeon to the Stars”, numerous philanthropic and entrepreneurial ventures, Dr. Obeng founded R.E.S.T.O.R.E (Restoring Emotional Stability Through Outstanding Reconstructive Efforts) Worldwide in 2008, an organisation that provides free reconstructive surgeries in various African countries to children and adults with disfiguring deformities from birth, accidents, and diseases, involving not only the head and neck region but also the extremities, trunk and breasts. R.E.S.T.O.R.E also educates local healthcare professionals on the latest techniques and safety measures in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Dr Obeng, originally from Ghana, is the only African plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills. He frequently consults with governments and multilateral organisations to strategically advise on health policy and related matters. 

He is also the President of Global Health Solution, a healthcare consulting firm that is bridging the gap between morbidity and healthy living.

Others on the 2020 Ebony Power 100 list include Mayor of Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot; Co-Founder, FUBU, J Alexander Martin; Vice President, Global Partnerships, Google, Incorporated, Bonita Coleman Stewart, amongst many prominent African American and Africans.

Dr Obeng was mentioned in the “Community Crusaders” category for the Ebony Power list, for his efforts aimed at providing free reconstructive surgery to children with disfiguring deformities on the African continent.

Since R.E.S.T.O.R.E’s inception a decade ago, Dr Obeng and his team of volunteers and health professionals have travelled to several developing countries around the globe including Nigeria, Gabon, Guatemala, Mexico, Vietnam, Laos and Ghana. To date, R.E.S.T.O.R.E has provided over 700 surgeries in three different continents to a tune in excess of $35 million USD over a span of a decade.

Last year Dr Miko, as he is fondly called along with a team of twenty health-care volunteers from five different countries and three different continents, embarked on another medical mission to Gabon where they provided 88 free reconstructive surgery and screened 162 patients. This was their second medical mission in the country and a celebration of the 10th anniversary of R.E.S.T.O.R.E.

In 2020, EBONY is celebrating 75 years of serving the Black community, showcasing the stories and achievements of Black people in all areas of American society and culture. In 1971, EBONY introduced the “Most Influential Black Americans List”, which has evolved into the annual EBONY Power 100 List.

“We are thrilled to be able to recognize those who are making a difference for our people around the world,” said Willard Jackson, EBONY Chairman and CEO. “Every name on the list is a leader and have had a positive impact on the African-American community. They shape perceptions, influence culture and galvanize communities. They are game-changers at a time when we need people to get in the game.”

Ebony magazine, founded in 1945 by John H, Johnson, is a monthly American publication that focuses on news, culture, and entertainment. Its target audience is the African-American community, and its coverage includes the lifestyles and accomplishments of influential black people, fashion, beauty, and politics.

The publication is renowned globally for the focus it gives to African-American issues, personalities and interests in a positive and self-affirming manner.

City of Wolverhampton Council is highlighting the support and advice on offer to the self-employed during the coronavirus outbreak.

The government announced yesterday (Thursday) evening a Self-employment Income Support Scheme to help people through this difficult time.

Information on the scheme and how it will be administered by HMRC can be found at bit.ly/SelfEmployedSupport. There is also an FAQs section to refer to at https://bit.ly/SelfEmployedFAQs.

Councillor Harman Banger, Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “I am delighted the government has taken these steps to help protect the self-employed during these difficult times.

“I would urge anyone in Wolverhampton who is self-employed to look at the online guidance and ensure they have everything in order to meet the criteria.

“As a council, we are also continuing to work with regional partners to provide targeted advice and guidance or sign-post businesses to the best source of help.”

For all the latest government business support measures visit: http://bit.ly/2IUD02v

The council has also outlined where to seek local and regional help.

The council’s Business Rates Team is taking the following steps in relation to the recovery of business rates:

• Suspending court action for recovery of business rates after March 19
• Issuing reminder notices to encourage contact from businesses, so that we can understand their individual situation
• Suspending the issue of new cases for enforcement agent action
• Negotiating repayments where possible and/or agree to a hold in recovery action for a period where businesses are struggling

For any businesses/tenants that rent property from the council and wish to discuss their position, please contact the Estates Team, Corporate Landlord, by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and options will be discussed.

The Black Country Growth Hub has information on local business support programmes and business advice: https://bcgrowthhub.com/coronavirus-covid19

The Federation of Small Business has information for small independent traders: https://www.fsb.org.uk/

Access to Business helps new businesses or if you are in the process of setting up in business: https://access2business.co.uk

The Black Country Chamber have online advice and a business helpline (01902 912322): https://www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk/campaigns-projects/covid19-business-support/

At 20:00 BST on Thursday, households across the UK stood on their doorsteps and balconies and applauded the efforts of the NHS and care workers in treating those affected by Covid-19.

The initiative was devised by Annemarie Plas, from Brixton, south-west London, who was inspired by same event happening in her home country of the Netherlands, and in many other countries.

Annemarie posted details of the event on her social media channels, and enthusiasm for taking part quickly spread across the UK.

"I hope that it creates a positive boost for those on the frontline," she said.

"But also [when] you hear your neighbours applauding you know that we are together in this, because we are currently all in our houses."

Buildings around the UK were also lit in blue - the colour of the NHS logo - to pay tribute to the work of NHS staff, including Wembley Stadium, Belfast City Hall and Blackpool Tower which featured a blue heart.

Firefighters will be able to deliver food and medicines, drive ambulances, and retrieve dead bodies during the coronavirus outbreak in an unprecedented agreement between the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), fire chiefs, and Fire and Rescue Employers.

For the first time, all three stakeholder groups have agreed a joint national approach to the crisis. The fire service organisations say that the measures in the agreement reflect the scale of the national crisis and the urgency of the response required.

Under the agreement, firefighters will be able to:

·         Deliver essential items like food and medicines to vulnerable people

·         Drive ambulances and assist ambulance staff

·         Retrieve dead bodies, should the outbreak cause mass casualties

Firefighters will continue responding to core emergencies, such as fires and road traffic collisions, but under the agreement can now provide additional services specifically related to COVID19. The agreement states that core responsibilities must be maintained throughout the crisis.

The organisations will meet weekly to discuss any additional requests for assistance made by Local Resilience Forums and Strategic Coordination Groups. Any activities considered will be risk assessed with fire and rescue personnel being given any necessary additional training and the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

The additional work taken on by firefighters will be temporary to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially in place for two months, the agreement can be extended or shortened if agreed between all parties.

The agreement between National Employers, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and the FBU follows measures to limit cross-infection between firefighters and the public, agreed earlier this week.

There are around 48,000 firefighters and emergency control staff in the UK.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “We face a public health crisis unparalleled in our lifetimes. The coronavirus outbreak is now a humanitarian emergency and firefighters rightly want help their communities.

“To get through this, we must find ways to work together with other emergency services. Firefighters are fantastic at teamwork, are experienced in driving emergency vehicles and, as a service rooted in the community, may be best placed to deliver essential items to the most vulnerable.

“Many fear the loss of life in this outbreak could be overwhelming– and firefighters, who often handle terrible situations and incidents, are ready to step in to assist with body retrieval.

“Firefighters and control staff have always stepped in when the public has been in danger and this crisis is no different. The strain on all emergency services will be great, but we can and will get through it together.”

Roy Wilsher, Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, said: "All fire services are working to protect communities during COVID-19 and they will use their wide-range of capabilities and skills to ensure community reassurance and support; doing what they can to support people through this crisis.

“This joined-up approach is testament to the three organisations working together, to ensure fire and rescue services can be at the forefront of the response to the current situation. I look forward to continuing this joined-up work with the National Employers and FBU.”

Councillor Nick Chard, Chair of the National Employers, said: “We have worked at pace to bring an extra resource to the battle against the impact of COVID 19, working collaboratively with the FBU and NFCC for the benefit of local people.”

“Fire and Rescue has always played its role in meeting seemingly insurmountable challenges and this crisis is no exception.  We can immediately step up our assistance to support our over stretched public sector colleagues, especially ambulance services, with our can do attitude and sense of community spirit.”

The Clap For Our Carers campaign saw people up and down the country step outside their homes to show appreciation for the NHS workers who are working tirelessly during the coronavirus pandemic.

At 8pm on Thursday night, Britons put their hands together after the message was circulated on TV and social media.

Thousands of people from all walks of life including sports stars, celebrities and politicians took part in the show of love.

Boris Johnson tweeted: “On behalf of the whole country, I want to thank all the incredible nurses, doctors, NHS support staff & carers who are working flat out to fight coronavirus.” While Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis joined the round of applause from their home in Norfolk which was shared by Kensington Palace.

From everyone at The Phoenix Newspaper we salute all of our NHS staff and all of the essential workers keeping everything moving as normally as possible.

NHS trusts can, from today, release earnings to their staff immediately at no cost to help the country through the coronavirus pandemic. 

The UK’s leading income streaming provider Wagestream has waived all fees to both NHS employers and staff to allow as many key healthcare workers as possible to get hold of their pay when they really need it. 

Tens of millions of people nationwide will be facing unexpected expenses as coronavirus takes a wrecking ball to the economy. 

It usually takes Wagestream three weeks to perform a full integration with an employer’s payroll software but as part of emergency measures the firm can now launch the service for any employer in just 24 hours. 

Tens of thousands of doctors and nurses already use Wagestream — current clients include Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust.

As part of Wagestream’s package of special measures, trusts can give workers access to an immediate relief fund specified by them. 

Caps usually apply to the percentage of earned pay that staff are allowed to draw down but, during the crisis, any shift tagged as related to Covid-19 on the Wagestream portal will be automatically eligible for fast, same-day payment of 80% of money earned once that shift ends. 

This will help prevent labour shortages by helping medical staff and other key workers deal with extra expenses they may face by working additional shifts. 

The platform will also facilitate automated daily payment of statutory sick pay where trusts upload the names of those employees who are unwell and self-isolating. 

In the last week, Wagestream has seen many employers remove caps on the number of times their staff can use Wagestream in a single month altogether. 

Wagestream typically charges firms at least £1.50 per employee per month for the service, and staff a flat fee of £1.75 per withdrawal — but both fees have been slashed to zero to help the NHS navigate the Covid-19 crisis. 

Peter Briffett, CEO and Co-Founder of Wagestream, commented: 

“We’ve all got to do our bit during this crisis, and we find ourselves able to provide NHS workers and employers with a service that is a uniquely invaluable weapon right now. 

“Everybody faces unbearable uncertainty at the moment and this misery will be compounded by unexpected expenses. We’re waiving all fees to ensure these vital workers can get at their pay when they need it. 

“We’re just not going to focus on our own income at a time like this. Whatever we can do for frontline healthcare workers, we’ll do.”

The mental health needs of some of Birmingham’s most vulnerable people are being given extra support after NHS Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) secured £2.5m from NHS England.

The funds are being used as part of a five-year scheme to support the mental health of the city’s rough sleepers, in a project being led by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (BSMHFT) working in partnership with Birmingham City Council’s Rough Sleeper Taskforce.

The project will see a specialist Rough Sleepers Mental Health Team working on the streets, providing assessment and treatment of poor mental health for men and women over the age of 16 years old sleeping rough in the city. By supporting their mental health, it is hoped these rough sleepers will be healthier and more receptive to receiving other support, such as hostel accommodation.

The team will be made up of a consultant psychiatrist, a consultant psychologist, a clinical psychologist/psychotherapist, and community mental health nurses. A clinical team manager and administration support will also be provided.

The Rough Sleepers Mental Health Team is also working with organisations such as hostels and drop-in centres that support the homeless. The team is advising these providers on how to be more aware of homeless people’s mental health needs; creating more psychologically-informed environments, with the objective of breaking the cycle of people leaving accommodation and becoming rough sleepers because of a lack of awareness of their mental health needs.

The project will complement the services already provided by GPs and nurses at the Health Exchange, a GP practice that works with people and communities who are homeless to achieve better health and wellbeing, and BSMHFT’s long-standing Homeless Community Mental Health Outreach Team.

The Birmingham Rough Sleeper Outreach Team has been in place for several years. However, last December, a new provider was commissioned. Simultaneously, the service was expanded in terms of the number of outreach workers (from four to 12) and the area which they cover expanded from the city centre to city-wide. As part of the team’s activity, a daily tasking meeting takes place which is attended by representatives of the council, the police, Trident Reach, and the Change, Grow, Live drug and alcohol service, as well as the nurse practitioner attached to the team.

Joanne Carney, NHS Birmingham and Solihull CCG’s Director of Joint Commissioning responsible for mental health, said: “I am delighted we have managed to secure this substantial funding from NHS England funding targeted specifically to address rough sleeping.

“The new team provides an innovative way of supporting rough sleepers. By working closely with our partners in the city, we can reach out directly to those with mental health needs, provide assessment and link in with GP practices around treatment needs.

“This support will increase the likelihood of rough sleepers moving into accommodation and hopefully being able to live a healthier life.”

Giles Tinsley, programme director for mental health at NHS England and NHS Improvement in the Midlands said: “While the NHS cannot solve homelessness on its own, it is working hard to make sure rough sleepers have easy access to services that are built and designed around their needs – putting an end to the revolving door of trauma care.

“Many rough sleepers have been through incredibly traumatic experiences which can cause mental ill health or exacerbate problems – often impacting on the type of support they need and this is about stopping people slipping through the net.”

Vanessa Devlin, Executive Director of Operations, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Receiving this extra funding is great news and means we can give more resources and time to the city’s rough sleepers, focusing on improving their mental health and supporting them on their journey to recovery and a more stable lifestyle. We already work very closely with this community and have a good understanding of the issues they face. We’re very happy to be leading on this innovative work with our partners.”

Cllr Sharon Thompson, cabinet member for homes and neighbourhoods, Birmingham City Council, said “Our approach to supporting rough sleepers in Birmingham is to be as flexible as possible. This means listening to them and understanding their needs and from there, changing our services to best support them. With mental health at the forefront of these needs, I’m absolutely delighted that we have been granted additional funding to further expand the help available.”

 Wolves fans are looking to give ‘one of their own’ a helping hand to access potentially life-saving cancer treatment at a special event this Saturday.

200 supporters of the Gold & Black will descend on the Duke of York for a special ‘Race Night’ to raise money for Claire Elliott, who only has eight months to live.

The former nurse turned lawyer is currently undergoing chemotherapy to help shrink a huge 12.5cm tumour that is pressing against her abdomen in the hope that she is well enough to undergo Pembroluzimab, an immunotherapy agent that is currently not available for her type of cancer in the UK.a

It is the third time the 51-year-old has had to fight the disease, but despite the illness it has not stopped her and husband Greg following Wolverhampton Wanderers all over the country, Europe and even China for pre-season.

“It’s a guess, but I reckon I’ve seen over 1500 Wolves games home and away since the mid-eighties…I love it and it’s a great distraction from my ongoing battle with cancer,” explained Claire, who also follows England overseas.

“My diagnosis in 2016 was delayed after my GP treated me as if I was peri-menopausal and, by the time I found out, it was apparently too late. I didn’t want to give up so started an extensive 7-week period of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and amazingly got the all-clear.”

She continued: “Unfortunately, it came back and I beat it again, only for the cancer to return in March 2019. The hospital said they couldn’t do any more and I’ve currently been given between two and eight months to live.

“Pembroluzimab, an immunotherapy agent, is realistically the only option left. It is not licenced in the UK for my particular cancer, but infuriatingly is for head and neck, prostrate and some types of lung cancer. This means we need to raise money so I can try the treatment in Asia, Ireland or the US.”

The treatment costs £3200 per cycle and Claire will need a minimum of five to assess if it is having any impact and, if successful, up to thirty-five cycles in total.

When combined with Caris tumour testing, this means a total of £120,000 could be needed and that is why family, friends and Wolves fans from across the UK have joined forces, starting with the Race Evening being held at the Duke of York on Saturday.

ABC Cars, M Security Services and Hatherton Wolves are kindly sponsoring the evening, meaning everything raised will go towards supporting Claire’s treatment. Entry is £20 and there will be a host of cash and beer prizes, not to mention a special sporting memorabilia auction being held.

“Greg and I have been overwhelmed by the support we have received over the last four years, especially from Wolves fans…we really are ‘one pack’,” added Claire.

She concluded: “I’ve beaten it twice, so hopefully, if I can access this specialist treatment, I can do it again…after all we’ve got the Europa League to win!”

A recruitment consultancy based in Solihull will take on Alzheimer’s Society’s GLOW Memory Walk in support of the company’s founder who is living with dementia after being diagnosed with the disease in her mid-50s.

Karen Tirebuck, now 61, founded Tirebuck Recruitment in 2000. The Knowle-based consultancy went from strength to strength with her being awarded the accolades of ‘Solihull Businesswoman of the Year’ and ‘Solihull Times’ Best Business Award’.

Her daughter, Emily, 32, made the decision to join the family business five years ago after her mum’s diagnosis and has rallied her team, friends and family to walk in support of her mum and others living with dementia, and raise money for Alzheimer’s Society at the GLOW Memory Walk in Warwick on Saturday 21st March.

Following the popularity of Alzheimer’s Society’s three GLOW events last year, it has grown to 12 walks across the country in 2020. The exciting new night-time event is a Memory Walk with a twist. The walk encourages people to dress up with glow sticks, glitter and neon, so that everyone can ‘glow’ the distance to shine a light on dementia.

Emily says: “Mum was always a big character – she was very personable and always enjoyed dancing, singing, having a good time with friends and family and she built a successful recruitment company with a fantastic reputation.

“But in her mid-50s, mum started to show the first signs of dementia and struggled with even the most basic of tasks, she eventually lost the ability at times to even write an email or make a phone call.

“Mum went to the doctors and they initially thought her symptoms were the result of HRT due to the menopause. But then mum lost her peripheral vision and went to the opticians who then suggested she go back to the doctors. It was such a rigmarole to get the diagnosis of dementia.

“Since the diagnosis, mum’s decline has been rapid, and she’s had to stop working. My dad has had to give up his job as a plumber to care for her full time. All the family pitch in where we can to support my dad, in order to give him some much-needed respite. My mum has now lost the ability to read, write and most recently follow a storyline on the television, it’s heart-breaking to watch the Alzheimer’s take hold and strip her of her independence.

The support mum has received from Alzheimer’s Society has been incredible. My dad takes mum to a number of clubs, including a monthly support group in Warwick called “The Young Ones” set up for younger people living with dementia and mum has made some great new friends. It’s also been a great support network for my dad as well and last year Tirebuck Recruitment paid for the group’s Christmas lunch because we were so grateful for the support that’s been given to mum.

“But I decided last year that I wanted to do more to help and wanted to get the business involved with fundraising for Alzheimer’s Society. Since then we’ve taken part in Cupcake Day and we delivered cakes to our clients to help raise awareness and encourage people to visit the charity’s website and find out more about dementia.

“I read about the GLOW Memory Walk on social media and it looks really fun and a bit different. I’m encouraging the team, my friends and family to dress up and wear glow face paint and neon clothing. There are 10 of us from Tirebuck Recruitment taking part, as well as my family, friends and mum’s going to come along to the walk as well.”

To support Emily and make a donation visit her Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mw519985

Ryan Stanley, Community Fundraiser for Solihull and Warwickshire said: “Every three minutes someone in the UK develops dementia and there is currently no cure. But fundraising can change this, by walking to defeat dementia at GLOW.

“Research will beat dementia and that’s why Alzheimer’s Society has pledged to invest £150 million over the next decade to find better treatments for dementia and work towards a cure.

“Dementia is now the UK’s biggest killer with 850,000 people affected by the cruel disease. There are more than 3,400 people in Solihull living with the condition.

“Every pound raised at the GLOW Memory Walk will go towards funding research and providing support to people affected by dementia.

“We’re calling on people with dementia, family, friends and teams from across Solihull, Warwickshire and the West Midlands to get ‘glowing’ this March and join us at Warwick Racecourse for a Memory Walk with a twist.

“Get together with your colleagues, your friends and the whole family and make new memories together at GLOW to take a stand against dementia.

“Dementia devastates lives; it slowly strips people of their memories, relationships and identities. Every pound raised at GLOW will help Alzheimer’s Society provide vital information and support, improve care, fund research and create lasting change for people affected by the condition.

“We are urging people to help put dementia to bed by taking part in GLOW and walking after dark. Walk with us and raise funds for research, sign up now at: memorywalk.org.uk/glow.”

Alzheimer’s Society is here for anyone affected by dementia, whatever you are going through, you can turn to us for support, information and advice.