Sheffield Council and disability sport charity, Within Reach, celebrated seventeen years of partnership with festival of sport including wheelchair basketball, athletics and boccia. Over four hundred children and adults were joined by special appearances from public figures, including athletes and local councillors. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Mike Elliot, chair of Within Reach.
South Yorkshire’s Freedom Riders organised a standing rally today outside Sheffield’s train station to demand railway bosses reinstate the elderly train concessions passes and to celebrate the campaign’s fourth anniversary. The group was formed in 2014, when free local train travel was taken away from elderly and disabled pass holders. Campaigners persuaded South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive to reinstate the concession. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Boccia England’s Cup Play Offs North was held at Ponds Forge International on Saturday with participants competing to qualify for the final of the competition due to take place at the English Institute of Sports in May. Boccia England aims to promote participation in the sport and to help disabled athletes achieve their full potential. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Two men in Sheffield have become the face of a new campaign that highlight more reasons to quit smoking. Retired Paul Smith, from Netherthorpe, and security worker Mohammad Akram, who lives in Fir Vale, are hoping to persuade others to join them in quitting by focusing on not only on cancer and heart disease but other health impacts such as gum disease and yellow teeth, low energy, and the effects on senses like taste and smell. The campaign has been launched by Smokefree Sheffield. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
Esteli Parade, a new cycle route and riverside path named has been opened to celebrate 30 years of friendship with Sheffield’s twin town in Nicaragua. The new route runs along the river Don and stretches from Lady’s Bridge on the Wicker to the bridge at Millsands. To mark the event, the Mayor of Estelí, Francisco Valenzuela, made an 8,500 Km journey to unveil the street alongside the Mayor of Sheffield, Anne Murphy. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Francisco Valenzuela and to Deputy of the Embassy of Nicaragua, Ricardo Carioni.
NHS campaigners mounted a demonstration against plans to close the Minor Injuries Unit at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital and the Walk-in Centre on Broad Lane. The rally was held as the Primary Care Commissioning Committee met to review independent analysis of feedback following a public consultation on the proposals. The Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group said, in a statement, that over 2,000 responses were received to the formal consultation and they will be considering next steps for responding to the issues raised. Campaigners say plans to move the services to Northern General Hospital will cause difficulties for many as well as pressure on hospital services. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Alistair Tice of Save Our NHS.
Two Sheffield students have launched a campaign to make websites harmful to mental health subject to regulation including a requirement to carry a pop-up warning notice. The initiative is in response to the growth in online content advocating for harmful behaviour including pro-self harm, pro-eating disorder and pro-suicide website. Jess Mell and Aiden Mortimer have started a petition on the issue calling for government action and have spoken about their own experiences. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
Sheffield doctors say stem cell transplants could be a game changer for many patients with multiple sclerosis following international trials including at Sheffield’s Royal Hallamshire Hospital. Results showed the treatment was able to stop the disease and improve symptoms. It involves wiping out a patient’s immune system using cancer drugs and then rebooting it with a stem cell transplant. Multiple sclerosis affects one in 600 people in the UK, with over 100,000 people diagnosed between the ages of 20 to 40, some with conditions becoming very severe. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Emma Reid, group coordinator for the MS society.
Anti-fracking campaigners organised a theatrical demonstration outside Sheffield Hall, to highlight dangers of fracking through costume and story-telling. Fracking to extract shale gas through hydraulic fracturing of rocks deep underground has faced strong opposition with some councils already pledged to be frack free and campaigners pressing the government to slow down the issue of fracking licences until the risks are fully understood. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Cameron Hall of Friends of the Earth.
Lead thieves have struck at Sheffield’s Manor Lodge, stealing sheets from the roof of the 16th century Grade II listed turret house. The raiders also caused some damage to the domed tower as well as the roof where Mary Queen of Scots use to stand and watch the hunt whilst in captivity at the lodge. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!