Placeholder Content Image

Emmerdale actress rushed to hospital

<p>Samantha Giles, the star of long-running British soap opera Emmerdale, was rushed to hospital after falling sick over the weekend.</p> <p>"Huge thank you to all the wonderfully caring staff at @LiverpoolWomens for looking after me today," the 50-year-old actress shared on Twitter "#NHS I'm fine and I'll be home soon."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Huge thank you to all the wonderfully caring staff at <a href="https://twitter.com/LiverpoolWomens?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LiverpoolWomens</a> for looking after me today. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHS</a> đź’ś I’m fine and I’ll be home soon.</p> <p>— Samantha Giles (@sammeegiles) <a href="https://twitter.com/sammeegiles/status/1505167317394722817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p>Details of her illness have not yet been revealed, though fans were quick to send well wishes to the actress.</p> <p>"Thank goodness for the #NHS Sending lots of love xxxxxx," one fan wrote.</p> <p>"Bless you Sam, I hope you're feeling comfortable and better soon xx," another said.</p> <p>Giles has played Bernice on Emmerdale since 1998, though her appearances in the soap are on and off. After a seven-year regular stint on the show, in 2019, she left Emmerdale to focus on other creative projects.</p> <p>On the screen, Bernice has been through many trials and tribulations through the years, but off-screen, Giles' personal life is just as interesting.</p> <p>Giles identifies as Wiccan, belonging to a modern pagan religion and says she met her partner Sean Pritchard after casting a spell.</p> <p>"I met him three months after the spell," Giles said.</p> <p>"It's about things being aligned. Sometimes people say to me, 'I put this thought out there and it didn't work!' But sometimes things aren't in the right place so you have to let them go until it's time.</p> <p>"I wrote down exactly what I was after. Then I met Sean and he was exactly what I had written. It's as if he appeared by magic."</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

Prince Charles shares his favourite songs of all time

<p>Prince Charles has given royal fans a glimpse into his musical taste, leaving many surprised with his wide range of favourites.<br /><br /><span>The senior royal partook in a special pre-recorded broadcast titled "Music &amp; Memories" for the Hospital Broadcasting Association, to thank the hospital radio for their “invaluable service… right across the country."</span><br /><br /><span>The Prince of Wales said during the hour-long programme that the radio has had "immeasurable value in connecting people, in providing comfort and companionship and in raising people's spirits when that is needed."</span><br /><br /><span>The 72-year-old went on to say he's been "profoundly impressed" throughout the past "extraordinary year" by the "dedication shown by our wonderful NHS staff and volunteers right across the country."</span><br /><br /><span>"I have found myself marvelling time and time again at the sheer resilience and indomitable spirit shown by everyone as we have faced the challenge of these most testing times," he went on to add.</span><br /><br /><span>Prince Charles' included a personal selection of his favourite songs, and along with it, an anecdote describing the song’s relevance to his life.</span><br /><br /><span>He noted that the track 'Givin' Up, Givin' In’, was performed "long ago," at the royal's 30th birthday.</span><br /><br /><span>Charles says the song, "used to provide me with an irresistible urge to get up and dance."</span><br /><br /><span>The public has responded to the Prince of Wales’ song list, with many being blown away by the royal’s choices.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Love Prince Charles music choices that man has got good taste in music.</p> — Margaret O' Shea (@Margare27461789) <a href="https://twitter.com/Margare27461789/status/1411620923594190848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Alright Prince Charles: great taste in music. <a href="https://t.co/kdFYPpKQLR">pic.twitter.com/kdFYPpKQLR</a></p> — Alberta (@AlbertaLC) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlbertaLC/status/1411718629067005953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span></span><br /><br /><span>The full list, which will be available to look at through the Clarence House social media channels includes:</span></p> <ul> <li><span><span>Givin' Up, Givin' In - The Three Degrees</span></span></li> <li><span><span>Don't Rain On My Parade - Barbara Streisand</span></span></li> <li><span><span>La Vie En Rose - Edith Piaf</span></span></li> <li><span><span>Upside Down - Diana Ross</span></span></li> <li><span><span>The Voice - Eimear Quinn</span></span></li> <li><span><span>The Click Song - Miriam Makeba</span></span></li> <li><span><span>You're A Lady - Peter Skellern</span></span></li> <li><span><span>La Mer - Charles Trenet</span></span></li> <li><span><span>Bennachie - Old Blind Dogs</span></span></li> <li><span><span>Lulu's Back In Town - Dick Powell</span></span></li> <li><span><span>They Can't Take That Away From Me - Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.</span></span></li> <li><span><span>Tros Y Garreg/Crossing the Stone - Catrin Finch</span></span></li> <li><span><span>Tydi a Roddaist - Bryn Terfel</span><br /><span></span></span><span><span></span></span></li> </ul> <p><span><span>The special radio programme was aired across 180 stations linked to the Hospital Broadcasting Association on the eve of the NHS' birthday.</span><br /><br /><span>The NHS is celebrating 73 years of operation, after first launching on July 5th, 1948.</span></span></p>

Music

Placeholder Content Image

8-year-old denied life-saving surgery until $1.5 million fee is paid

<p>A Nigerian boy travelled with his parents to the UK for a small surgery then discovered he had cancer but a quirk in the system means the life-saving surgery is out of reach.</p> <p>His parents will be required to pay ÂŁ885,000 (AU$1,580,000) up front before the NHS can legally operate on him.</p> <p>Nathaniel Nabena had one of his eyes removed in Nigeria in order to treat the cancer and stop its spread.</p> <p>But then in November last year, he travelled to the UK to be fitted with a prostethic eye.</p> <p>The surgery was meant to be quick and painless but the 8-year-old soon fell sick and tests revealed he had leukaemia.</p> <p>Nathaniel desperately needs a stem cell transplant to stay alive, but doctors won’t operate on him until his parents pay the fee - which is so high because patients from non-EU countries are charged 150 per cent of the NHS price for hospital treatment.</p> <p>“If we do not manage to raise the funds, we have been told that hospice care is the next step,” his father Ebisidor wrote on a<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/Raise-money-for-Nathaniels-Stem-Cell-Treatment" target="_blank"><em>GoFundMe page</em></a>.</p> <p>Nathaniel has been battling cancer for the past three years, and his parents believed the worst was over before they were hit with the leukaemia diagnosis.</p> <p>He had a myeloid sarcoma under his left eye which caused it to swell up so badly, removal was the only option.</p> <p>Nathaniel is currently in the Croydon University Hospital.</p> <p>Medical practitioners are charging ÂŁ825,000 to cover their expenses for tests, chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant.</p> <p>Nathaniel’s dad described his son as “a bright, wonderful child”.</p> <p>“It has been a long, hard journey but we will never stop fighting for Nathaniel. He deserves a life free of cancer,” Ebisidor Nabena said.</p> <p>A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson told<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/boy-9-diagnosed-leukaemia-uk-23496109" target="_blank"><em>The Sun</em></a><span> </span>in a statement: “Every taxpayer supports the health service and so it is only right that overseas visitors contribute towards their treatment costs.</p> <p>“As the rules stand, NHS care must be paid for in advance of providing non-urgent treatment and any debts that do arise from providing urgent care will be followed up with.</p> <p>“The NHS will always provide high standards of care for those who need it and repayment plans can be agreed with the provider.”</p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

“True national treasure”: Moore to be knighted by the Queen

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Captain Tom Moore captured hearts around the world as he walked laps around his garden to raise money for NHS charities. He has since raised more than £33m ($NZD 65m) and is set to receive a knighthood for his heroic fundraising efforts, which is news he is “delighted” by.</p> <p>Downing Street confirmed the news on Tuesday, with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson saying that Moore is a “beacon of light through the fog of coronavirus”.</p> <p>"Colonel Tom’s fantastic fundraising broke records, inspired the whole country and provided us all with a beacon of light through the fog of coronavirus," Johnson said in a statement.</p> <p>"On behalf of everyone who has been moved by his incredible story, I want to say a huge thank you. He's a true national treasure."</p> <p>Queen Elizabeth approved the knighthood and it will formally be announced later today.</p> <p>She also acknowledged his efforts with a personalised birthday card. It is tradition that the Queen sends letters to all British centenarians, but Moore’s card contained a message specific to his fundraising efforts.</p> <p>"I am so pleased to know that you are celebrating your one hundredth birthday on 30th April, 2020," it read.</p> <p>"I was also most interested to hear of your recent fundraising efforts for NHS Charities Together at this difficult time. I send my congratulations and best wishes to you on such a special occasion."</p> <p>Prince William has also written to Moore to congratulate him on his amazing achievement.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">We sent <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CaptainTomMoore?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CaptainTomMoore</a> a special message from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. 🥰 Watch his reaction below...⤵️<a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KensingtonRoyal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/captaintommoore?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@captaintommoore</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WalkWithTom?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WalkWithTom</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BBCBreakfast?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BBCBreakfast</a><br />More here: <a href="https://t.co/wy1ixmuA2E">https://t.co/wy1ixmuA2E</a> <a href="https://t.co/U2oPdwbZA7">pic.twitter.com/U2oPdwbZA7</a></p> — BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCBreakfast/status/1251029611942739968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>"It's wonderful that everyone has been inspired by his story and his determination. I think he's a one man fundraising machine," Prince William said in an interview with the BBC. "Good on him and I hope he keeps going."</p> </div> </div> </div>

Retirement Life

Placeholder Content Image

99-year-old war veteran raises millions for healthcare workers

<p>A 99-year-old war veteran has raised nearly more than 4 million pounds ($NZD 8.4 million) for British healthcare workers by attempting to walk the length of his garden one hundred times before his 100th birthday later this month.</p> <p>Captain Tom Moore has used a walking frame to move around since breaking his hip and said that he was incredibly grateful to the National Health Service (NHS) for the treatment he received.</p> <p>He wanted to do something in return to say thank you, and the aim is to do 10 laps a day before the end of the month.</p> <div class="embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9"><iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zVFCwjZqzoo"></iframe></div> <p>Britain’s state-funded NHS is under intense strain as it treats large numbers of people suffering from COVID-19.</p> <p>Moore turns 100 on April 30 and had hoped to raise 500,000 pounds. He has since quadrupled that figure and more already thanks to the generosity of 205,326 supporters.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">99 year old Captain Tom Moore <a href="https://twitter.com/captaintommoore?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@captaintommoore</a> is celebrating his birthday by walking 100 lengths of his garden for <a href="https://twitter.com/NHSCharities?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NHSCharities</a> <br /><br />So far he has raised ÂŁ3,676,361.91 ⬆️735% !<br /><br />You can support him here: <a href="https://t.co/mmZMpHJpsl">https://t.co/mmZMpHJpsl</a> <a href="https://t.co/hsE3ZvTMNT">pic.twitter.com/hsE3ZvTMNT</a></p> — Bev Matthews RN ↔️ 🧍🏼‍♂️↔️🧍🏼↔️🧍🏽‍♀️↔️🧍🏿 (@BevMatthewsRN) <a href="https://twitter.com/BevMatthewsRN/status/1250168744074149898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>NHS Charities Together, who will benefit from the funds, said that it was “truly inspired and humbled”.</p> <p>Ellie Orton, chief executive of the charity, had nothing but praise for Tom Moore.</p> <p>"I think I absolutely join the rest of the country in being truly inspired and profoundly humbled by Captain Tom and what he has achieved.</p> <p>"Thank you for being an inspiration and a role model."</p> <p>Moore couldn’t believe his eyes as funds went over the 4 million pound mark and said that it was “almost unbelievable”.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">WOW - 4 million pound for our NHS!<br /><br />We cannot wait to tell the news to Tom in the morning, he will not believe his ears! <br /><br />Thanks each and every one of you - we are in awe of you, but especially our frontline staff who need this now more than ever. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TomorrowWillBeAGoodDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TomorrowWillBeAGoodDay</a></p> — Captain Tom Moore (@captaintommoore) <a href="https://twitter.com/captaintommoore/status/1250186487095873536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>"When you think of who it is all for - all those brave and super doctors and nurses we have got - I think they deserve every penny, and I hope we get some more for them too,” he said to the<span> </span><em><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-52278746" target="_blank">BBC</a></em>.</p> <p>The veteran who served in Asia during World War II had a message of hope.</p> <p>"That's the way I think I've always looked at things: tomorrow will be a good day," he said.</p> <p><em>Photo credits:<span> </span><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tomswalkforthenhs" target="_blank">Just Giving</a><span> </span> </em></p>

Retirement Life