Dozens took part in a demonstration outside the Royal Hallamshire Hospital on Glossop Road as part of a national day of action over the crisis in the NHS. Thousands also marched in central London calling for more beds, staff and funds to ease the problems facing the service. Sheffield campaigners highlighted planned closures of the city centre NHS Walk-in Centre and the Minor Injuries Unit at Royal Hallamshire Hospital. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
The Royal Hallamshire Hospital is supporting a new initiative for parents to have their baby’s stem cells from umbilical cord blood stored for their own private use in the future. It’s the second health trust in the north to offer the service to its patients following success with the technique in Leeds. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Shamshad Ahmed, founder and chief executive officer of Smart Cells, the company behind the initiative.
Homelessness charity Roundabout are celebrating forty years of services by hosting Britain’s first art roadshow banger rally with the theme Bangers and Cash. The charity are inviting forty local businesses to each purchase an old car worth £650 or less and have it painted by a local artist to drive from Sheffield to Monte Carlo. The car bonnets will then go to an exhibition to be auctioned off for charity. Nick Coleman reports for Sheffield Live!
Residents have launched a petition against planned changes in Rotherham kerbside bin collection services that would see an end to separate containers for plastics recycling. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
Sheffield Councillor, Ben Curran, has confirmed his intention to stand as Labour candidate for election as mayor of Sheffield City Region. Curran is one of three candidates in the party to stand, including former Sheffield Central MP, Richard Caborn and Dan Jarvis, the MP for Barnsley Central. Elections for the mayor’s position are scheduled for May as part of a £900m devolution deal. Labour is the first party to announce their candidates. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Ten-year-old Asher Walton-Mitchell from Meersbrook has raised just over £1,000 for Sheffield’s Children’s Hospital with a one mile swimming challenge. Asher, who has experience as a patient at the Children’s Hospital said he was doing it “because they do an amazing job” and he “wanted to give something back.” He completed the swim in one hour thirty minutes at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
A campaign has been launched by residents in the north of Sheffield to improve transport connections to Meadowhall shopping centre following recent cuts to bus routes. A petition has been started via the Sheffield Council website and is gathering support including the backing of Steve Wilson, councillor for East Ecclesfield ward. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
Iranians in Sheffield staged a demonstration outside Sheffield Town Hall at the weekend demanding freedom and democracy for Iran. According to campaigner Siama Zaad, the group called “Wanted Freedom for Iran” were protesting against the Iranian government’s persecution of democracy protestors who, they claim, have been subject to torture and imprisonment. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Pro-European campaigners were outside Sheffield Town Hall on Saturday as part of a European Movement action day to highlight benefits to the NHS of remaining in the European Atomic Energy Community. The international organisation, known as Euratom, pools knowledge and infrasructure on atomic energy and facilitates access to radioactive materials including medical isotopes used in some cancer treatments. The Nuclear Safeguards Bill is currently being debated in Parliament. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
A group of volunteers are coming together to do their bit to help the environment with a litter picking get together in Heeley Woods this weekend. The initiative started as a call for action publicised on social media by Sheffield woman, Frances Bridget, in response to growing concerns about plastics entering the world’s oceans and the impact on wildlife in the woods. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!