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National Funding for PDSA to protect pets from illnesses

Charity, PDSA, has received five hundred and fifty thousand pounds in national funding from the People’s Postcode Lottery, to help protect animals from a number of illnesses. The money will also be used to educate pet owners, cover thousands of vaccinations and provide micro chips for cats and dogs. Joanne Smith has been selected as a specialist ‘Pet Champion’ at the PDSA Sheffield Pet Hospital, and will help run the scheme. She told our reporter, Kathryn Smiles, how she felt to get the funding.

Sheffield opens an alternative to high cost credit lending

Sheffield has become the first city in the country to introduce a new approach providing alternatives to high-cost credit and door step loan companies. This follows the Sheffield Fairness Commission’s plans to help the city’s residents trapped using high-cost credit. ‘Sheffield Money’ opened today on Cambridge Street, and will operate as a not for profit broker service. It’s been set up by a partnership, led by the Sheffield Executive Board, and supported by Sheffield City Council. I went along, and spoke to Leader of the council, Julie Dore.

Richmond Park fare after a redevelopment

Hundreds gathered at Richmond Park over the weekend for the Richmond Park Fair. This comes after development work over recent years, to improve the parks facilities and provide somewhere safe for the public to have fun. Friends of Richmond Park, and other volunteers have been working on the project for around six years. It now has a new playground, climbing wall and bike track. Kathryn Smiles went along and spoke to Chairman of Friends of Richmond Park, Jonathan Morris, about the fair and the recent developments.

Big Fun Run comes to Rother Valley Country Park

The Big Fun Run came to Rother Valley Country Park today. People could run, jog or walk the five kilometer route which went around the lake. The run was un-timed, so people could get around at their own leisure. Most people were raising money for charities such as MacMillan, Alzheimers Research UK and Cancer Research.

Campaign launched to tackle arson

Police have launched a new campaign to combat incidents of arson. ‘Connor’s story’, it tells the fictional story of local teenager, who alongside his friends, sets fire to the contents of a wheelie bin. It explodes in his face, leaving him with severe facial burns. They’ll be using social media and putting stickers on bins to get the message out. Well, last year, South Yorkshire Police dealt with six hundred and eighty one incidents of arson. It’s a joint initiative with South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, which will run until the end of the year. Head of Community Safety at South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Kevin Ronan, told our reporter Kathryn Smiles more about the campaign.

Blind Veterans UK 100 Anniversary

The Blind Veterans UK charity are celebrating their one hundredth anniversary with a photography exhibition that’s touring the UK. The exhibition was created to showcase the talents of some of the veterans the charity supports. The veterans could enter work from five different categories. Pieces by the winners and runners are part of the display, which begun here in Sheffield. Kathryn Smiles went along to the exhibition whilst it was at the Winter Gardens to find out more.

Cyclists raising money for charity

Eight Sheffield cyclists are going to ride from Lands End to John O’ Groats to raise money for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.  The disorder affects mainly boys and is progressive muscle wasting disease that is life limiting. There is currently no known cure. They Sheffield riders will be part of a 32 strong team that is aiming to raise £70,000 during the 1,000 mile ride.