Call for walkers to join Cornish trek for St Giles Hospice

St Giles Hospice is looking for energetic fundraisers with a passion for the great British outdoors to take part in a Cornish Coastal Challenge this summer.

The charity offers care at the hospice’s centres in Whittington and Sutton Coldfield and in patients’ own homes across the region.

The weekend trek, taking place between September 10 and 12, will follow the dramatic coastline of North Cornwall where the spectacular landscapes feature rugged cliffs, hidden coves and old fishing villages forming a beautiful backdrop to the blue sea.

The coastal challenge, run in partnership with the company Discover Adventure, is suitable for walkers of all abilities and is open to anyone aged 18 and over.

Chloe Herbert, Head of Fundraising at St Giles Hospice, said: “The Cornish Coastal Challenge is a brand new addition to our list of Treks and Trails events and we’re looking for walkers who want to sign up and join our supportive team or come along with family, friends and colleagues.

“This walk will be a tough weekend challenge but it also promises to be a spectacular and inspiring experience in one of Britain’s most beautiful landscapes, which will give you an unforgettable sense of achievement when you reach the finish line.

“After a year when we’ve had to cancel our fundraising events and close our shops we’ve never needed our supporters as much as we do today, so you will also have the satisfaction of knowing that your fundraising has made a real difference to St Giles Hospice and all of the local patients and families that we care for. 

“It’s also been a year when we’ve spent so much time in lockdown in our own communities, so there’s surely no better way to get a real breath of fresh air and change of scenery by stretching our legs with an epic journey through some of the most fantastic coastline that this country has to offer. The event will be taking place in accordance with all COVID-19 guidelines.” 

Muteen Ahmed, (39) from Burton, has just (June 12) completed a Snowdon by Night challenge in aid of St Giles, which saw him and two work colleagues from GBA Group for Toyota in Derby climb the highest mountain in Wales to raise funds in memory of a friend who was cared for by the hospice.

He said: “I wanted to really push myself and to raise some money for St Giles because they gave my friend – who died at the hospice – absolutely fantastic care in his last days. When we climbed Snowdon it was a tough challenge, but we really enjoyed it and got a great sense of achievement when we made it to the top.

“If you can do a Trek and Trail challenge for St Giles then I would say go for it, the sense of satisfaction you get from completing your challenge and helping a good cause is amazing. 

“Fundraising for St Giles is so vital. It makes an enormous difference and you never know when you or your family will need hospice care. It’s important to know that they are there for you if you need them.”

Starting at Trevose Head, west of Padstow, Cornish Coastal Challenge trekkers will walk for 22 hilly miles to St Agnes Head – a challenging distance considering the terrain. The group will pass the distinctive beach stacks of Bedruthan Steps, as well as old reminders of Cornwall’s mining heritage, while Poldark fans will recognise some key filming locations such as Holywell Bay, with the much-filmed Gull Rocks visible offshore. 

Participants pay an £80 registration fee for the event and pledge to raise a minimum sponsorship of £600 for St Giles Hospice, which will fund care for patients and their families living with a terminal illness. Everyone taking part will receive food and accommodation, transfers within the trek, Discover Adventure leaders and drivers throughout the challenge.

As a member of #TeamStGiles, walkers will also get an exclusive St Giles T-shirt, a bespoke St Giles Hospice fundraising pack, a dedicated member of the hospice fundraising team to assist them with training and fundraising and a supportive community and team to engage with ahead of the event and during the challenge.

For further information about the Cornish Coastal Challenge or to sign up visit www.stgileshospice.com/cornishchallenge

For more information about St Giles Hospice and the expert care it provides, please visit www.stgileshospice.com

New Children’s Emergency Department opens at Good Hope

Good Hope Hospital’s new Children’s Emergency Department has opened its doors to patients.

The multi-million pound department provides 10 treatment cubicles, a new reception space and waiting room, as well as a quiet room and wellbeing room.

The entrance to the department remains in its existing location, with a new ambulance entrance and drop-off area.

University Hospitals Birmingham Charity, with the support of Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, has contributed to the project, providing those ‘over and above’ elements which will help make the environment as comfortable as possible for children and young people.

Dr David Rosser, chief executive, cut the ribbon and thanked staff for all their hard work in getting the new department up-and-running at such a challenging time.

Dr Rosser said, “The past year has been really difficult and as a Trust we’ve seen the highest number of Covid-positive patients in the country, with Good Hope caring for many of these.

“The fact that the team here have been able to push through with brilliant work such as our new Children’s ED is a great achievement and I’d like to thank all those involved. It’s a real team effort to bring something like this together.”

Angela Birmingham, Matron – Emergency Department, added: “It’s a really exciting time to be part of the team and a good opportunity to thank everyone for their enthusiasm, team spirit and dedication.

“We pride ourselves in putting our patients and their families at the heart of all we do. Our new department gives us a brand new purpose-built environment in which to do this which will really benefit both our staff and the local community.”

Thai venue Giggling Squid announces opening date in Mere Green

Sutton Coldfield’s newest restaurant will open its doors next month, the owners have confirmed.

The new Thai tapas-style restaurant, Giggling Squid, will take over from former Italian venue, Gustos, in Mulberry Walk, Mere Green.

The chain, which began in the basement of a fishmerman’s cottage in Brighton in 2002, has confirmed it will open in late July.

Founded by Pranee and Andrew Laurillard, Giggling Squid now operates 38 venues across the UK.

A spokesperson for the chain said Giggling Squid has established a strong reputation for bold Thai cuisine, complemented by a stylish and relaxed setting. The varied menu comprises a competitively priced lunch menu and a more extensive evening offer, as well as separate children and vegan menus.

She added that their outlets are a true labour of love, and taking inspiration from Thai traditions and legends, Giggling Squid’s menu features vibrant, fresh and flavoursome dishes celebrating the abundance of exciting and exotic ingredients found across Thailand, all cooked by expert Thai chefs. 

Co-founder, Andy said: “Thai mealtimes are energetic, informal, adventurous and where food is celebrated. It’s relaxed and there’s no standing on ceremony. We simply want people to have a great time over something tasty! Every Giggling Squid has its own personal touch to it, and this restaurant is no different; it’s a beautifully designed space that we hope will bring a lot of pleasure to our guests. We can’t wait to welcome everyone.”

The spokesperson added: “Catering to the community during the new normal, Giggling Squid guests will still receive the same great food, service and atmosphere the restaurant chain is known and loved for, but with even more stringent health and safety policies in place, making it the safest place possible for all guests and staff.”

Giggling Squid is expected to open Monday-Thursday 12pm – 10pm, Friday-Saturday 12pm – 10.30pm, Sunday 12pm – 9.30pm.

A wide takeaway menu will also be available for click & collect or telephone orders as well as delivery.

Discount grocer Lidl has confirmed that around 40 jobs, both full and part-time, will be created at its new Sutton Coldfield store when it finally opens.

A company spokesman has confirmed that the new store in Mere Green will be open ‘within weeks’ after suffering delays and sparking anger over increased traffic and pavement access.

Workers are busy working on the inside of the store, with completion set to be completed next month.

A Lidl spokesman said: “We can confirm that construction of our new Lidl store in Mere Green, Sutton Coldfield, is well underway and is expected to open later this summer.

“Once opened, the store will create around 40 full and part time jobs for the local area and we look forward to delivering our fresh, quality and affordable produce to the local community.”

It comes as discount rival Aldi have revealed plans and images of how a new store in Sutton town centre will look.

If plans are approved, the German giant says it wants to build the £5 million new store at the eyesore Brassington Avenue site, which has remained derelict for years.

The firm has released a computer generated image (right), of how the new store will look and says it will increase staff numbers to around 45 when it takes over from the current store on The Parade in the town centre.

That’s not all in the discount stores battle. In a move which is sure to create even more anger and controversy over increased traffic, Aldi look poised to transform the former Waitrose store on Belwell Lane in Mere Green.

MORE than 5.3 million vaccine doses have been delivered in the West Midlands, with 10 million people now vaccinated across the wider Midlands area, figures show.

Sutton Coldfield is leading the way as the town hall delivers thousands of first and second jabs, aided by an army of medical professionals and volunteers.

Tens of thousands of people have now been vaccinated at the town’s iconic building.

Dr Rahul Dubb, from Sutton Coldfield Group Practice, the local GP leading on vaccinations, worked with the Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Hall management team, University Hospitals Birmingham, the Town Council, MP Andrew Mitchell and other key figures to enable the site to open at the beginning of February.

The 5.3 million figure for the West Midlands is a major milestone and comes as anyone over 30 can now book an appointment for their jab.

Over the next few days, one million people across the country aged 30 and 31 will be invited via text message.

Birmingham’s director of public health said reaching a younger age group was important to protect them against variants of the virus.

“What we are seeing from across the world where we have these new variants, is that it’s a younger audience ending up in hospital – the people who are vaccinated are protected and the younger age groups are starting to end up in A&E.

“The faster we can vaccinate everyone the more protected we are against these new variants,” he said.

He said the success story of reaching millions of people in the region was down to giving people access to get vaccinated.

“It’s the entire system working together to put forward the vaccine in a way that gets to people and gives them the chance to protect themselves from a third wave,” he added.