Latest news with #CatherineCox
West Australian
26-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Eaton Netball Association focus on inclusivity with funding boost
Almost a year on after an $8000 funding boost, the Eaton Netball Association has opened inclusive programs in a bid grown its participant base and open the sport up to new players. The association was the recipient of a Woolworths Netball Grant last year, focusing the funds on boosting participation by reducing fees, while encouraging healthy, active lifestyles. The reduced fees helped players in both their NetSetGo and development programs for the 2025 season to relieve families of the financial burden and encourage new participants The association also introduced a new social competition to encourage participation from both male and female players who might not have played traditional netball due to the costs or time commitments. This competition received new bibs to reduce uniform costs. New equipment also came the way of the NetSetGo program including bibs, bean bags, cones and hula hoops while the development program players enjoyed new fitness equipment, team bags, coaching equipment and a larger gazebo for carnivals. The grants are open again, with netball clubs and associations across Australia having the chance to win a portion of $100,000 in grants to promote healthier eating habits and increased physical activity among young players. There is also a $20,000 people's choice award allocated to the club or association with the most votes. Former Australian Diamonds player and Woolworths NetSetGo ambassador Catherine Cox said the grants held a special place in her heart as not only a player, but also a parent. 'Coaching my young daughter's local netball team, I've seen firsthand how sport brings kids together, builds confidence, and nurtures a true sense of belonging,' she said. 'It's about more than just the game, it's about giving children the chance to grow, thrive, and fall in love with an active, healthy lifestyle. 'By supporting initiatives like this, they are (Woolworths) also helping kids all over the country discover the lifelong benefits of teamwork, movement, and nourishing their bodies with good food.' Clubs and associations can apply online at the Woolworths Netball Grants website before August 29.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mum's 20-year fight for epilepsy drug compensation
"Who will look after our children when we're no longer here? At the moment that's nobody." Catherine Cox, from Keyworth in Nottinghamshire, was one of thousands of women who took the epilepsy drug, sodium valproate, while pregnant, something which is now advised against. Her son Matthew, now 23, was born with a range of conditions, including autism, ADHD, epilepsy and several learning disabilities. At the age of 18 months, he was diagnosed with foetal valproate syndrome, indicating the medication his mother took was the cause of his problems. Mrs Cox has been campaigning for compensation ever since. It is thought thousands of children in the UK have been left with disabilities caused by valproate since the 1970s. Instructions for doctors - and, more recently, patient leaflets - say valproate should not be used during pregnancy unless there is no safer alternative and only after a careful discussion of the risks. Before undergoing fertility treatment, Mrs Cox was advised it was "fine" to continue taking valproate. "To then find out that the medication that you have taken in good faith has caused the problems your child will carry for the whole of their life is an awful thing," she told the BBC. Mr Cox has a job at a local bakery but relies heavily on his mother. "It can be a struggle at times," he said. "I do worry at times but I also worry about my mum. Obviously I love my mum." Mrs Cox told the BBC she had grown weary of a lack of action from successive governments. "We're not getting any younger. I started this when I was 31 - I'm 53 this year," she said. "I honestly think that the government want the parents to expire, because the children will not be able to fight for the redress that they need." In February 2024, a report by the Patient Safety Commissioner, Henrietta Hughes, said there was a "clear" and "urgent" need to compensate those harmed by valproate, both financially and otherwise. Dr Hughes made a series of recommendations, including a specific housing grant for valproate victims, a removal of the barriers many face in getting their special educational needs recognised, and work to issue an apology to each individual affected. More than a year has since passed, and the government is still working on a response. Mrs Cox said: "We have pulled various governments over time kicking and screaming to this point where they have acknowledged that the difficulties for up to 20,000 children were caused by this drug. "As we go on, what we need is something to make up for their loss of potential." The delays were recently raised at Prime Minister's Questions by Mrs Cox's MP, Labour's James Naish, who represents Rushcliffe. Sir Keir Starmer responded it was "obviously a really important matter". "We will provide an update on the Patient Safety Commissioner's report at the earliest opportunity to the House," the prime minister added. Naish said: "We're all working hard. The government has a huge amount on its plate. It's already dealt with big scandals such as the infected blood scandal. "We just want to make sure that this is one of those issues as well." Despite two decades of setbacks, Mrs Cox is hoping she will hear some positive news soon. "The Labour government were really, really supportive in opposition. Let's see them stand by their word," she said. "As a society we are judged by how we treat our most vulnerable and the children affected by valproate are our most vulnerable. They need that help going forward." Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. Men on sodium valproate told to use contraception Epilepsy drug GP guidance 'a massive breakthrough' Epilepsy drug disabilities a 'scandal'
BBC News
17-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Valproate: Mum's 20-year fight for epilepsy drug compensation
"Who will look after our children when we're no longer here? At the moment that's nobody."Catherine Cox, from Keyworth in Nottinghamshire, was one of thousands of women who took the epilepsy drug, sodium valproate, while pregnant, something which is now advised son Matthew, now 23, was born with a range of conditions, including autism, ADHD, epilepsy and several learning the age of 18 months, he was diagnosed with foetal valproate syndrome, indicating the medication his mother took was the cause of his problems. Mrs Cox has been campaigning for compensation ever since. It is thought thousands of children in the UK have been left with disabilities caused by valproate since the for doctors - and, more recently, patient leaflets - say valproate should not be used during pregnancy unless there is no safer alternative and only after a careful discussion of the undergoing fertility treatment, Mrs Cox was advised it was "fine" to continue taking valproate."To then find out that the medication that you have taken in good faith has caused the problems your child will carry for the whole of their life is an awful thing," she told the Cox has a job at a local bakery but relies heavily on his mother."It can be a struggle at times," he said. "I do worry at times but I also worry about my mum. Obviously I love my mum."Mrs Cox told the BBC she had grown weary of a lack of action from successive governments."We're not getting any younger. I started this when I was 31 - I'm 53 this year," she said."I honestly think that the government want the parents to expire, because the children will not be able to fight for the redress that they need." In February 2024, a report by the Patient Safety Commissioner, Henrietta Hughes, said there was a "clear" and "urgent" need to compensate those harmed by valproate, both financially and Hughes made a series of recommendations, including a specific housing grant for valproate victims, a removal of the barriers many face in getting their special educational needs recognised, and work to issue an apology to each individual than a year has since passed, and the government is still working on a Cox said: "We have pulled various governments over time kicking and screaming to this point where they have acknowledged that the difficulties for up to 20,000 children were caused by this drug."As we go on, what we need is something to make up for their loss of potential." The delays were recently raised at Prime Minister's Questions by Mrs Cox's MP, Labour's James Naish, who represents Keir Starmer responded it was "obviously a really important matter"."We will provide an update on the Patient Safety Commissioner's report at the earliest opportunity to the House," the prime minister said: "We're all working hard. The government has a huge amount on its plate. It's already dealt with big scandals such as the infected blood scandal."We just want to make sure that this is one of those issues as well."Despite two decades of setbacks, Mrs Cox is hoping she will hear some positive news soon."The Labour government were really, really supportive in opposition. Let's see them stand by their word," she said."As a society we are judged by how we treat our most vulnerable and the children affected by valproate are our most vulnerable. They need that help going forward."
