The Jane Tomlinson Appeal has awarded two Sheffield charities significant grants to support their healthcare work. Weston Park Hospital will be assisted to provide essential support to older cancer patients, while Paces Sheffield will receive a grant for a fieldworker to support children with complex health needs. Azz Mohammed spoke to Helen Gentle of Weston Park Hospital.
A demonstration outside Sheffield Town Hall has sought to raise awareness of the unresolved conflict over Kashmir and related human rights abuses. The conflict, which dates back to the partition of India in 1947, has its roots in the contest for territorial control of the Kashmir region primarily between India and Pakistan, but also involves China and a number of local insurgent groups, including independence supporters. The conflict has led to many civilian deaths and widespread human rights violations. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to campaigners outside the Town Hall.
Sheffield’s Green Party councillors are calling for the City Council to set an ambition of making Sheffield the UK’s first ‘fossil-free city’. In a motion for debate, the Greens are calling for Sheffield to tackle climate change by becoming the first city in the UK in which all major local government, higher and further education, and faith organisations have divested their investments and pension funds from fossil fuels. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke with Green Party councillor Rob Murphy.
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Jenny Christie who lost her father to pancreatic cancer is to walk 210 miles from London to Sheffield to raise money for Pancreatic Cancer UK. Her walk is planned to coincide with the pancreatic cancer awareness month of November and, all going well, will be completed in 10 days. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Jenny Christie about her campaign.
Sheffielders and renewable energy supporters are being invited to invest in new community owned solar energy installations to promote a low carbon economy. Sheffield Renewables is seeking to raise £70,000 pounds to install solar energy panels which will produce 55 kilowatts of renewable energy and save around 2.5 tonnes of CO2. Sheffield Renewables was set up in 2009 to promote a cleaner, more sustainable city by developing community owned renewable energy projects. The organisation is run on co-operative principles accountable to its community shareholders. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Dave Berry, a volunteer working with Sheffield Renewables.
Sheffield Eagles are hoping the decision to hold the 2021 World Cup in England signals a brighter future for the game. The Rugby League International Federation gave England the nod ahead of the United States in the competition to stage the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. The decision, recognising the popularity of the sport in England together with government backing, is expected to boost fan numbers and bring more cash into the game. Sheffield Eagles has been looking for a new home since the demolition of Don Valley Stadium and with players reverting to part time status finding new financial backers has been a priority. Sheffield reporter Simon Thake spoke with Eagles head coach Mark Aston.
The Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign are to seek a judicial review of the decision not to hold an enquiry into the events of 1984. Home Secretary Amber Rudd announced that the government would not open a new investigation into the Battle of Orgreave. The Orgreave campaign, which has been seeking a Hillsborough style enquiry, held a press conference at the National Union Of Mineworkers headquarters in Barnsley. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Orgreave campaign press officer Granville Williams.
Key Fund, the North of England’s specialist social investor, has launched a new £10m fund to invest in 300 social enterprises over the next three years. Founded in 1999, the Sheffield-based Key Fund has supported thousands of social enterprises to deliver positive social impact in communities across the North and Midlands. Social enterprises supported can operate across any sector, and could be as diverse as new artists, reducing homelessness, recycling projects and community-run pubs. The new £10m fund includes loan and grant investment packages of up to £150,000 per business. Key Fund have also secured a £4.5m finance arrangement from Big Society Capital, to support general investment activity. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Matt Smith, chief executive of Key Fund.
The Lord Mayor, in keeping with tradition, bought the first poppy at the steps of Sheffield Town Hall to launch this year’s Poppy Appeal. The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal recognises the memory of the fallen and the future of the living. The appeal caps a year where the people of Sheffield have remembered tragic events of the First World War, which claimed the lives of 4,898 members of Sheffield City Battalion, and the 100th anniversary of the Battle Of The Somme. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!
Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings spoke exclusively on Sheffield Live! this week on the prospects and scope of a new Orgreave enquiry. The Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign has reiterated the need for a full and thorough inquiry this week while Home Secretary Amber Rudd is expected to announce her intentions by the end of this month. Billings, appearing on Talking Sheffield with Sheffield Live! presenter Nigel Slack explained that he is full supportive of a new inquiry but also stressed the need to learn lessons from the Hillsborough inquiry and therefore for any new investigation to be kept relatively short.