Sheffield dentist, Jim Lafferty, is preparing to swim the English Channel to raise funds for the dental charity DentAid which helps those in the UK and overseas who cannot afford dental treatment. Jim, who lives in Nether Edge and works at Orgreave Dental Surgery hopes to cross from Dover to Calais in around 12 hours and aims to raise at least £5,000. The marathon swim is planned between 9th and 15th September depending on weather conditions. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
A Sheffield woman’s petition campaign to let parents decide on safe return to schools has racked up over 100,000 signatures. Jennifer Dunstan launched her “Don’t Fine Parents” petition on social media and plans to take legal action against forced return to schools amid the coronavirus pandemic. Jennifer’s son attends a Special Needs School and she herself suffers from an auto-immune disorder. She spoke to Sheffield Live! about her concerns for care of her son in case she catches the virus. Azz Mohammed reports.
A new cycle track to be built in Hillsborough Park has received planning approval as part of a scheme to encourage more people to take up cycling. The charity behind the project, Access Sports, hopes to encourage more women, minority ethnic groups and people with disabilities to learn to ride. Despite 26 objections from local residents, the £250,000 scheme was approved unanimously. The track will have an area for learning to ride and as well storage space and other facilities to be housed in containers. The project is said to cost around £250,000 and is funded externally. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Peter Price, councillor for Shiregreen and Brightside and chair of Sheffield Council’s Cycle Forum.
Sheffield College has announced that face coverings will be mandatory for students and staff returning for the new term beginning on the seventh of September. As schools and colleges prepare for a new term, social distancing and safety measures are being put in place. The government has said that face coverings will be mandatory in local lockdown areas but otherwise at the discretion of headteachers. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Angela Foulkes, chief executive and principal at The Sheffield College.
The North Sheffield branch of the Cats Protection charity is running a voucher scheme providing free neutering and micro-chipping for key worker cats throughout September. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mogammed spoke to Daisy Robinson, team leader for Cats Protection North Sheffield.
Yemeni community activists and supporters gathered at Sheffield Town Hall to protest against government plans to deport 21 Yemeni asylum seekers, some currently in detention centres. Campaigners say war-torn Yemen is not a safe place to return the asylum seekers and the deportations should be stopped. Speaking to Sheffield Live!, Muna Taha, a member of the Yemeni community said British weapons and policies had contributed to the crisis in Yemen. Baillor Jalloh reports.
Sheffield’s Onboard Skatepark has been awarded a £48,748 grant from the Youth Endowment Fund to provide safe and supported sessions for young people as it reopens to the public. Founded in 2012, the skatepark on Little London Road is offering sessions 3-4 times a week with key worker support and a focus on engaging vulnerable young people and reducing risk of offending. Sheffield Live! reporter Jeremiah Malikebu spoke to Amy Cooper, co-founder and manager of Onboard Skatepark.
Sheffield student, Emeline Gilhooley, who has herself suffered a brain tumour, is backing the Brain Tumour Charity’s campaign to raise vital funds for cancer research. The charity is releasing five T-shirt designs with the theme Great Minds to raise awareness and funds for the national charity. Emeline, who lives in Meersbrook, spoke to Sheffield Live! about the campaign and the impact of the brain tumour on her everyday life. Azz Mohammed reports.
A Sheffield-based business woman who was stuck in Colombia for nearly seven months due to Covid-19 has finally returned home. Natalia Welch went to Colombia in March on a business trip and to visit family and friends but found herself stuck in Colombia’s Covid-19 lockdown with airports shut and planes grounded. Speaking to Sheffield Live! Natalia said she was later diagnosed with Covid-19 and feared for her life. Baillor Jalloh reports.
Sheffield Liberal Democrats have welcomed the election of Ed Davey, MP for Kingston and Surbiton and former energy and climate change secretary, as their new party leader. Davey, who defeated Layla Moran, inherits a party that has faced three disappointing General Election results and will be the fifth leader in five years. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to the leader of Sheffield Liberal Democrats Shaffaq Mohammed.