Signing Up for National Transplant Week

There is a chronic shortage of donated organs, with over 10,000 people on the waiting list.

Of these, more than 1,000 people die every year before they receive the transplant they need: with more awareness and prior discussion this situation could be improved, as forty per cent of relatives refuse permission for loved one’s organs to be donated mainly because they don’t know what their wishes were.

The good news is that a record number of people are now signing up with 16,932,946 people currently on the Organ Donor Register.

National Transplant Week – Events and Games

National Transplant Week works closely with the World Transplant Games, the largest organ donor awareness event in the world, featuring a nine-day series of sporting events when UK athletes join others from some 55 countries, all of whom have undergone an organ transplant.

There are plenty of opportunities for people to get involved in awareness events including national campaigns and networking on the high street and at a local level.

The Transplant Trust relies on money raised by a dedicated team of supporters and volunteers throughout the country.

Planning and hosting a fundraising event is a rewarding way of helping in the vital work and can be fun too.

Planning and Organising for National Transplant Week

There are ideas for planning and organising events on www.thetransplanttrust.org.uk with a special fundraising pack available to download and advice about obtaining sponsorship, creating publicity and budgeting for the event.

A total of 2,382 people received organ transplants from April 2009 to February 2010 – with 2,497 cornea transplants.

One donor can save the life of several people, or restore the sight of two others – but it’s not only organs that have to be donated, as there is also a shortage of bone marrow, tissues, cord blood and platelets.

Figures for transplant success rates are improving all the time, with over 81% of heart transplants, 93% of liver transplants, 96% of transplants using kidneys donated after death, and 77% of lung transplants surviving the critical first year.

National Transplant Week – Awareness and Education

National Transplant Week is run by The Transplant Trust, the leading UK Transplant Charity, and aims to raise awareness and educate the public about the benefits of organ and tissue donation.

Running from 4th July to 11th July 2010 a wide range of high-profile events take place throughout the week, with information, educational materials and merchandise available in an orchestrated drive to stimulate discussion and interest in organ transplant.

The week also features regularly in the media, newspapers, radio and TV: personal case studies are often highlighted by the press and give much needed publicity to the campaign.

Often high profile people sign up to be an organ donor in public. Stands and displays are organised throughout the country, and the Donor Bus is a frequent sight on city streets, manned by a team who are often themselves the recipients of transplants, who hand out balloons and freebies and encourage people to become donors.

National Transplant Week – 4th July to 11th July 2010

When the parents of five-year-old Lucy Pearson were told that their daughter, who was born with a complex congenital heart condition, would not benefit from further surgery and that they should try to enjoy the remaining years they had with her, they refused to accept defeat.

Lucy was put on the transplant register in late 2005 and a suitable donor was found the following year.

Since then, Lucy has made a remarkable recovery and is able to live life to the full, doing all the things a healthy young person enjoys like running, swimming, riding and eating proper food. “We realise that none of this would have been possible without the fantastic gift that some selfless person and their family have given me,” Lucy told the Transplant Trust, “We can never thank these people enough. Words cannot express how my parents feel.”

Lucy is just one of the thousands of people who survive thanks to the forethought and generosity of transplant donors, but there are many more on the waiting lists who will die before a suitable match is found.

External Links:
The Transplant Trust
NHS Organ Donation
 

Ten Great Reasons for Visiting Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle may not be the largest city in the United Kingdom but it is one full of history, culture, entertainment and so much more. Here are just ten of the reasons for visiting Newcastle upon Tyne.

History of Newcastle and Tyneside

Newcastle has a history spanning 1800 years, when it was first made into a settlement by the Romans as a fort for the protection of a bridge over the important River Tyne.

Since this time, Newcastle upon Tyne has played a pivotal role in the history of the United Kingdom in so many facets, many of which have left their legacy on the city you can see today.

The history of the city of Newcastle is multi-layered, and a visit to Newcastle will open the eyes of anyone who visits as they wander around the city taking in the historical monuments and buildings of days gone by.

Nightlife in Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle Theatres

Newcastle upon Tyne certainly has a great theatrical scene within the city.

Museums in Newcastle upon Tyne

Art Galleries in Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne has long inspired the arts, and for this reason has a number of great art galleries where works of art from local and international artists can be seen in all their glory.

Newcastle upon Tyne Concerts

River Tyne, Newcastle

The main reason that Newcastle has become the renowned city it is today is the impact of the River Tyne: it was the reason a settlement was created in the first place, and has been a driving force in the growth of the city ever since.

The River Tyne is a wonderful place to visit for walks, cycling, boating and much more. If you love Britain’s waterways or would just like to find a place to get away from it all, then the River Tyne in Newcastle is the place to visit.

Newcastle United Football Club

The Great North Run in Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle is the host to one of the world’s most popular half marathon road running events: the Great North Run.

The Great North Run is a huge event that attracts massive crowds and is an annual attraction for visitors to the city of Newcastle.

Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club

External Links:
Museums in Newcastle upon Tyne
Art Galleries in Newcastle
Newcastle United Football Club
The Great North Run
Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club

St Swithin’s Story

Whatever the reason, we’ve conveniently been blaming Saint Swithin for something that is probably beyond his control, but as forecasting the weather is as unreliable as the alleged powers of the venerable saint himself – and folklore is far more interesting than meteorological tables – we’ll stick with old story!

Saint Swithin was in fact the Bishop of Winchester, who lived during the reign of King Egbert and died in 852.

Chaplain to Egbert and ordained by Helmstan, Swithin’s elevation to Bishop was a direct result of being appointed tutor to the king’s son Aethelwulf, with whom he was a great favourite.

He was said by all accounts to be a pious and frugal man who invited the poor to banquets and always carried out his ministrations on foot.

According to The Golden Book of Legend, if any church fell down or was in decay, St Swithin would amend it “at his own cost”.

His best known (and rather unspectacular) miracle took place on a bridge, when he was said to have restored a basket of eggs belonging to an old lady that had been broken by men working on the nearby church.

Science and St Swithin’s Day

Is this really a true reflection of the British weather?

According to the Met Office, when records were checked going back 55 years, it was discovered that (with the possible exceptions of 1985 and 1995) the weather on St Swithin’s Day was not necessarily replicated by the next forty.

Nevertheless, there are two possible weather patterns that occur in the middle of July, and some believe that these have formed the basis for the myth.

If the jet stream – a fast wind current that blows around the earth – lies north of the British Isles in July, then we’re in for some continental, high pressure weather; if the jet stream lies to the north however, Arctic currents usher in weather systems from the Atlantic.

Or maybe it’s just that the British weather is completely inexplicable.

St Swithin’s Day – 15th July 2010

Most people probably wouldn’t wish the British climate on their worst enemies but, if we are to believe an old weather rhyme, there’s one person who should receive his fair share of blame for our unpredictable weather: St Swithin.

St Swithin’s Day if thou dost rain,
For forty days it will remain.
St Swithin’s Day if thou be fair
For forty days ‘twill rain nae mair.

In other words, if it rains on July 15th – St Swithin’s Day – we need to invest in a new brolly.

St Swithin’s History

The most interesting thing about St Swithin’s life in fact came after his death.

Because he believed himself unworthy to be buried in a church, he issued posthumous orders that his body be buried outside in a “vile” place where “it might be subject to the feet of passers-by and to the raindrops pouring from on high”.

And so he was duly buried outside the west door of the Old Minster at Winchester.

Over one hundred years later, after he had been made the patron saint of Winchester, the monks decided that he should be moved to a more glamorous resting place within Aethelwold’s basilica at the cathedral: a move that conveniently fitted in with Bishop Aetholwold’s plans to turn the Old Minster into a shrine-church, centred around the relics of St Swithin, and on 15th July 971 his body was interred in what had become the largest church in Europe.

As the monks tried to move him, it was said that the saint was so displeased there was a clap of thunder and a tremendous deluge of rain…

It was this event that gave rise to the legend of St Swithin’s Day.

St Swithin Likes Them Apples!

The saint’s anger probably didn’t improve much when his body was later dismembered and distributed to various locations as relics: an arm in Peterborough Cathedral, and head in Canterbury Cathedral.

In 1093 the main shrine was established at the new Norman Cathedral at Winchester, where hundreds of pilgrims visited the “holy hole” behind the high altar to pay their respects.

Another downpour of rain that occurred on St Swithin’s Day in 1315 most probably added to the legend.

Symbols of raindrops and apples are associated with Saint Swithin because there is another proverb that says that when rain falls on St Swithin’s Day, the saint is “christening the apples.”

To this day, apple growers ask for St Swithin’s blessing on July 15th and no apples are picked before that date, after which it is believed they will ripen fully.
 

Plastic Beach

Our discarded household items are being turned into commodities that are valued across the world.

Once the rubbish leaves the kerb, it’s taken to a Materials Recovery Site where all the different types of material are sorted by hand or machine, and sent to manufacturers who then transform it into brand new products so we can buy them again – adds a new meaning to materialism doesn’t it?

Millions of tonnes of material are recycled every year, with the result that all newspapers in the UK are made from recycled paper and over 80% of glass is used to make new bottles and jars.

Recyclables like plastic waste garner high prices in countries such as China, where there are not so many natural resources: there’s also the added advantage that carbon emissions are minimised, energy is reduced, and materials are not being landfilled.

Kerbside Enthusiasm

The good news is that nowadays nine out of every ten houses has kerbside collection: residual household waste has decreased by 22% since 2000/01, equivalent to an average of 16kg per person per year across England as a result of campaigns like Recycle Now.

Slightly worse news is that although 73% of packaging produced in the UK can be recycled, only 33% actually is – surely some room for improvement there.

But what actually happens to all our carefully sorted rubbish when it leaves the house?

If you’ve ever plaintively opined the question “why?” when rinsing out cans of cat food at the kitchen sink, the Recycle Now website can provide you with some of the answers.

Waste and Resources and Action

Now in its fifth year, the campaign is run by WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme): a not-for-profit company supported by funding from DEFRA and the DTI, in partnership with the administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The week is supported by local authorities, schools and businesses, when hundreds of events take place across the UK highlighting the importance of recycling, as well as informing and raising awareness of the benefits to the community.

Recycle Now Week – 21st June to 28th June 2010

If you want to know the answers to those pressing questions about recycling such as…

What items can be recycled?
When is Compost Awareness Week?
What is the Mobius Loop?
What is the point in recycling anyway?

…then look no further!

For these are all things that can be learnt during Recycle Now Week that runs from 21st to 28th June: an annual event held to “kick start new habits that can help us all want to recycle more”.

If you want to find out what’s happening in your area, help take part or organise some of the activities, enter your post code on the Event Finder on the Recycle Now website.

While you’re on the website, it’s a great place to pick up some recycling tips and information about recycling symbols (Oh, so that’s what a Mobius Loop is!), how to reduce packaging, and cool eco products.

If simply knowing which bin to put out on which day of the week confuses you (and it does me!) – all is revealed with such infectious zeal that you’ll be motivated and enthused to “find out something new, do something new or generally do more of what you already do”.

Stray Toasters

The theme for this year’s Recycle Now week focuses on old electrical items: you know, those things we’ve all got hidden away at the back of cupboards, or shoved in drawers – that Walkman that was state-of-the-art back in the 80s, or the 1970s ghetto blaster you just can’t bear to throw away because you saved up for it for months!

Basically anything with a plug, a battery, that needs charging or holds a crossed out wheelie bin logo – kids’ toys, broken kettles or toasters -  can all be dropped off at the local recycling centre where their valuable components of plastics, metals (including gold, silver and copper) can be recycled and turned into new electrical items.

And when you hear that last year 173 million electrical items were sold, as well as 27 million mobile phones, not to recycle waste seems like such… a waste!

Armed Forces Day Worldwide

Armed Forces Day has been celebrated in many nations for some years to honour their respective military forces on varying dates.

In Australia and New Zealand for example, ANZAC Day held on April 25th commemorates 1915 when Australian and New Zealand forces fought against the Turkish at Gallipoli.

In Brazil, Dia do Soldado (Soldier’s Day) is celebrated on August 25th: the birthday of the war hero Luis Alvés de Lima e Silva.

In China, Army day is celebrated on August 1st: the anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army in 1927.

Russia holds a Defender of the Fatherland Day on February 23rd.

In the US, Armed Forces Day was created in 1949 as a result of the unification of the military services and is held on the third Saturday in May, although separate observance of Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coastguard Days still continues.

Events for Armed Forces Day

The chosen location of the 2010 Armed Forces Day is Cardiff: a city with a strong military history that houses the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Welsh at Maindy Barracks.

A week of celebrations commences on 21st June, with a flag raising ceremony at the Castle and includes the arrival of a Royal Navy Warship at Roath Basin on the 25th.

The main event on June 26th centres on the Cardiff Bay Area, with a National Armed Forces Day Parade forming up at Cardiff Castle, prior to a service at Drumhead.

Further details and programme of events taking place can be found on the website at www.armedforcesday.org.uk

The First Armed Forces Day

The Armed Forces Day event was inaugurated in 2009, and marked concerns about a “growing gulf between the Army and the nation” expressed by General Sir Richard Dannatt, former head of the army.

Celebrations in 2009 centred on the Chatham Historic Dockyard – previously a Royal Navy Base – and were attended by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sara, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and head of the Armed Forces Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup and Defence Minister Kevan Jones.

Held in gloriously sunny weather, the day proved to be a resounding success that helped to promote a better understanding of, and respect for, the armed forces.

Exciting flypasts of historic aircraft including the Red Arrows, Hurricanes, Spitfires and Lancasters took place.

Royal Navy ships were opened to visitors, and military displays were joined by those of the RNLI and Fire and Rescue Services.

At more than 200 events that took place in other parts of the country, members of the armed services wore their uniform with pride, from Eastbourne to Manchester and up to the Scottish Highlands where the public was able to take part in practical demonstrations and fundraising or watch displays, parades and marching bands.

Veteran’s Day

Armed Forces Day was instituted to replace Veteran’s Day, observed since 2006.

The date of 27th June was chosen as the day after the anniversary of the first investiture ceremony for the Victoria Cross by Queen Victoria, held in Hyde Park on 26th June 1857.

A special flag based on the Union Jack was designed by the government for the occasion which is organised by councils and businesses.

Armed Forces Day – 26th June 2010

Armed Forces Day was set up to honour the outstanding contribution made by the men and women who currently serve in the Armed Forces, as well as the veterans who did so in the past.

It also offers an opportunity for civilians to meet with local members of the military forces and learn more about their work.

For the many people who would like to show their appreciation for the brave men and women who serve their country all the year round, there’s a great opportunity to do so via Twitter or Facebook pages, see the links below.

External Links:
Armed Forces Day
Events for Armed Forces Day 2010
Armed Forces Day on Twitter
Armed Forces Day Facebook page

Traditions of Father’s Day

According to historians, Father’s Day was celebrated as long as 4,000 years ago, as evidenced by a clay tablet found in the ruins of Babylon that holds a carved a message wishing a father a long and healthy life from his young son Elmesu.

The tradition appeared to continue with the Romans, who honoured their dead fathers every February, but in most countries any celebration didn’t survive the transition to more modern times.

Father’s Day – 20th June 2010

For centuries, countries all over the world have venerated and idealised mothers – and the tradition of Mothering Sunday has always been celebrated in style. Fathers on the other hand didn’t get much of a look in at all!

When the idea of instituting a day to commemorate fathers was first put forward in the USA in 1911, it was met with a certain amount of laughter and derision on the part of the media and public. Why this should have been so is not clear - presumably fathers were deemed far too macho to need any public manifestation of affection…

A Modern Day Father’s Day

Origins of the modern Father’s Day are attributed to several sources, but it’s most likely that we have to thank a young lady called Sonora Smart Dodd, who lived in Spokane in Washington in the early twentieth century.

The story goes that whilst listening to a Mother’s Day sermon at the local church, Sonora was inspired to arrange a tribute for her own father – a Civil War veteran named William Jackson Smart – who had raised a family of six including a newborn, after the death of his wife in childbirth.

Later, Sonora decided to try to make the celebration official, receiving the backing of the church and the YMCA and in 1913, after much lobbying, the bill was introduced to Congress.

Thank You, Richard Nixon

Although Presidents Woodrow Wilson and Calvin Coolidge supported the idea, it was President Lyndon Johnson who signed a Proclamation in 1966 to make the third Sunday of June a federal holiday, and in 1972 President Richard Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father’s Day.

The commemoration was for grandfathers and forefathers, as well as providing recognition of the role played by the patriarchal member of the family unit, that contributed so much towards creating a stronger and more stable society.

In the meantime, commercialization linked to the event had set in, and as early as 1938 the National Council for the Promotion of Father’s Day, formed from the Associated Menswear Retailers, was incorporated to turn the day into an opportunity for profit.

The tradition of Father’s Day soon spread to other countries and is observed on the same day as the US in 52 different countries. In predominantly Catholic countries, Father’s Day takes place on Ascension Day.

Celebrations take many forms: in Germany ,for example, Vaterstag is an opportunity to do some male bonding and get drunk, as men across the country go off on hiking tours pulling small wagons called böllerwagen – that contain wine, beer and regional food.

Thank You, Dad

Nowadays, fathers are expected to be nurturers as well as bread winners, and are more likely to spend time completing daily household chores, filling the washing machine, emptying dishwashers, cooking and looking after the children as much as mothers.

It’s become customary to buy the old man a pair of socks or even a tie on Father’s Day to show how much you love him, but this year, how about surprising him with something a bit out of the ordinary?

Here’s some ideas guaranteed to bring a smile to dad’s face:

arrange a picnic where you can play some of his favourite sports or games, or go on a cycle ride with him;
invite his buddies round for a fathers’ get together,
cook a special Father’s Day meal (steak and chips goes down well!);
buy him a gift with his name engraved upon it – like mugs, wallets, a shaving kit or a tankard;
treat him to an Experience Day (he’s always wanted to go sky diving!),
take him out for a meal in his favourite pub;
buy him a ticket for a concert or football match or a t-shirt printed with a photo of you, his loving offspring…

…go on, you know he’ll appreciate it!

The Newcastle Mela 2010, the Newcastle Asian Arts and Music Festival is on Saturday 31st July 2010 and Sunday 1st August 2010

Newcastle Mela 2010
Exhibition Park
Town Moor
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2

Festival Times: 12noon to 7.00pm both days, entry is FREE to this Newcastle event, and perfect for the whole family!

About the N.A.A.M.

Newcastle Asian Arts and Music is a voluntary organisation that was formed in April 1993. Its main aim is to promote Asian arts, music and culture within Newcastle and the North East region.

The main emphasis in N.A.A.M activities is upon the provision of a safe and supportive environment, therefore allowing the opportunities for all the community members to fully participate in events such as the Mela.

What is Mela?

‘Mela’ originate from the Indian sub continent: the word Mela comes from the Sanskrit “to meet” and is related to the word  “milana”. It is commonly used to describe a large gathering of people celebrating artistic, religious or political events – a fair or a festival.

In the same way that many fairs or holidays in Europe would begin on the feast days of saints, Melas in south Asia have their origins in religious gatherings such as Eid Vaisakhi or Diwali.

Celebrations form an immeasurably important part of the sub-continent’s fabric. Melas are feasts of sights, smells, sounds and tastes and will often feature bazaars, folk troupes, traditional and contemporary and modern music and dance.

Newcastle Mela attracts 30,000 people every year.

The Mela is a free event based around Punjabi, Pakistani, Bengali, Hindi and other South Asian cultures, and is open to anyone who wants to learn more, be entertained and meet new people as well as enjoy different music, art and food in the heart of Newcastle.

With a line up including the hottest contemporary Asian acts as well as traditional displays of music and dance it’s an event likely to appeal to all ages and races.

Taking place in Exhibition Park, the Mela promises to be weekend full of fun with music, games, stalls and exhibitions to help everyone have a great weekend! With a stage playing host to musicians and dancers, hundreds of stalls selling arts and crafts and food and drink and a children’s programme to help the kids learn, make friends and have fun; there’s plenty to do whatever your tastes.

Further details as soon as they become available!

Newcastle Mela Website

Sunday 2nd May

Time: 2.00pm

Tickets: £5.00, £3.00 Conc.

An afternoon of youth dance featuring groups from across North & South Tyneside who meet as part of the North & South Tyneside Youth Dance Programme.

U Dance Customs House is supported by Dance City and Youth Dance England.

Address:

The Customs House

Mill Dam

South Shields

NE33 1ES

0191 454 1234

Email: mail@customshouse.co.uk