Latest news with #Darlington
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Darlington woman tackles 220-mile run across Scotland for foundation 'heroes'
A Darlington woman is taking on the "phenomenal" challenge of running 220 miles across Scotland, to raise funds for the Alan Shearer Foundation. Heather Ford, 42, of Darlington, will be facing the 'Race Across Scotland' ultra-marathon this August. The event takes place from August 9 to August 13, 2025, following the scenic Southern Upland Way, and participants have 100 hours to complete the route. Heather Ford. (Image: Heather Ford) The Alan Shearer Foundation, based in Newcastle, is a unique facility offering sensory, therapeutic, leisure, and social activities for free to people with profound disabilities. The centre also offers specialist residential care and short-break services to help the families who attend. Heather said: "I'm not the hero, the heroes are the people that are in the centre volunteering and working, and also the families. "The emphasis is all on them. I'm just the wally running 220 miles to raise awareness and some money. These guys are the legends." Heather signed up to this event last year, but only recently decided to raise funds for the Alan Shearer Foundation after she saw them online and was amazed by their work. She added: "When I found them I thought 'what a fab place'. I got in touch with them asking if people raise money for them and they were actually trying to push for that, because they don't get many people doing that. "There are people in Darlington who use the centre, so that's how special it is that people are willing to travel there." So far, she has already raised more than £1,100 for the foundation. Heather said: "I honestly set out to raise about £500 but then thought I'd aim higher to a grand, and actually it's already passed that. I'm now hoping to just get as much as possible. Heather Ford. (Image: Heather Ford) "I've never been one for asking for money. I totally recognise that you can't give to every charity and I know times are tough, but even one or two pounds makes a huge difference." The ultra-marathoner doubles as a single mum to two children, Thomas and Emily, and as a dog owner. From left: Emily (daughter), Heather, Thomas (son). (Image: Heather Ford) She expressed how taking on challenges like this feels like "a form of escapism" from the busyness of everyday life. Heather said: "I personally find it quite empowering to do something hard. I purposely put myself in challenging conditions so I feel that if I can do that, I can navigate looking after myself and the children. "We juggle a lot in life, but when I'm doing these events it strips it back to the core elements. When I'm out and the person shouts 'go' all I think about it where I'm going, how I'm getting there, and whether my body is okay. I'm not checking Instagram, being questioned by the kids, being called by work or having to walk the dog." Heather running with her dog, Olive. (Image: Heather Ford) Matt Bowmaker, 42, head of the Alan Shearer Foundation, said: "What she's doing is phenomenal. It's a massive challenge she's taking on, and when someone steps up like that, it means everything to us. Every penny raised makes a real difference.' It currently costs the foundation £320,000 yearly to keep running, so fundraising efforts like Heather's make a big impact on how much can be offered to those who use it. Read more County Durham woman, 71, taking on six of Europe's most famous half marathons Stone-built County Durham cottage with 'breathtaking' views on the market for £165k Delight as lifeline community grocery initiative receives £5,000 donation "Raising the money gets tougher every year. We want to grow, improve, and reach more people, but the priority is keeping it free," added Matt. "What she's doing is exemplifying what we're hoping the community will do. We've been putting a real push behind fundraising lately with our new message - Raise Your Hand to Help. "For families who rely on the centre, it changes everything. That's the heart of it for us."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Broken promises: The unfinished Darlington and County Durham housing estate scandal
After a week-long investigation into the state of housebuilding across County Durham and Darlington by The Northern Echo, one thing is clear: the system is broken — and it's the residents who are paying the cost. From cracked pavements at Carmel Road South in Darlington to the path and fencing problems in Eden Gardens, Sedgefield, the picture is consistent: families investing their life savings into brand-new homes, only to be left in estates that look and feel incomplete. Promised green spaces remain unbuilt. Roads are dangerous. Pavements are inaccessible. Basic infrastructure is missing or delayed. A gap in the paths of Carmel Road South, Blackwell, Darlington (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) At the start of this investigation, we set out and posed the question: How is this allowed to happen? The answer lies somewhere between unclear responsibility and limited enforcement. Councils, while sympathetic to residents' concerns, often lack the legal backing to force developers to finish work promptly. Planning conditions and Section 38 agreements exist to ensure roads and footpaths meet adoptable standards, but when those standards are not met, councils are left negotiating rather than enforcing. Unfinished brickwork on the Central Park North development in Darlington (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Darlington Borough Council has admitted its frustration, with a spokesperson saying: 'They (developers) simply need to do the work to finish the sites as per the expectations of their customers and the council.' Meanwhile, Durham County Council say they will take enforcement measures if needed. Michael Kelleher, Durham County Council's head of planning and housing, said: 'As with any planning authority, we are aware of instances of developers leaving a site following construction work, at which matters still need to be addressed. "In situations like these, we seek to make contact with developers to bring about completion. We also have enforcement powers available to us should they be needed.' Several government bills and plans have been set out in the last six months for planning and enforcement reform. General building work (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Under proposed guidelines, councils would have more power to force developers to complete work or hand the land back to the local authority. However, these proposals are only in the pipeline and not part of UK law. But without stricter timelines, stiffer penalties, or independent oversight, councils can only press, not punish. And for residents already living in these conditions, that's not enough. Another question we asked at the start of this week-long investigation: What can be done about the issue? Stronger legislation is essential, according to councillors and housing experts. Developers should be held to clear, enforceable timelines, with penalties if they fail to meet them. Cllr Chris Lines in Sedgefield (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Councils must be equipped with not just planning powers, but post-approval enforcement capabilities. And crucially, buyers must be given greater protection before they're handed keys to homes in half-finished neighbourhoods. Councillors like Chris Lines in Sedgefield and Gerald Lee in Heighington, Darlington, are doing what they can. Cllr Lines has spoken openly about the 'numerous examples' of stalled developments in his area, warning that unchecked growth could see the character of villages lost. Cllr Lee has slammed Bellway's Meadow Rise estate, where construction finished over two years ago, but vital works remain undone. 'I will always fight for my community,' said Cllr Lines. Bellway's Meadow Rise development in Heighington, near Darlington (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) But one councillor per estate is no match for a multi-million-pound developer with no deadline. While developers like Story Homes and Keepmoat cite 'ecological requirements' and 'technical delays' for unfinished work, residents are navigating real and daily hazards. Disabled people in County Durham and Darlington have spoken out about the dangers posed by missing dropped kerbs and incomplete paths. Children walk to school across gravel tracks. Elderly residents fear night time falls on unlit roads. These aren't just minor snags — they are serious safety concerns. And they are increasingly common. Cllr Alex Neil, representing Langley and Esh in County Durham (Image: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL) As jobs flood into County Durham and Darlington from new industries and investment, housing demand will only rise. But without reform, there's a risk of turning large parts of the North East into sprawling half-finished suburbs — building estates faster than we can finish them. Cllr Alex Neil, representing Langley and Esh in County Durham, has warned that rising housing targets are already threatening build quality. 'We have a surplus of approved developments,' he said. 'We can't let pressure for quantity override the need for quality.' However, are housebuilders being held accountable? Housebuilders maintain they are not 'land banking' or deliberately stalling - turning a bigger profit for 'sitting on' patches of land in the region. Bellway, for instance, says it is treating delays at its Hurworth and Heighington sites 'as a matter of urgency' and recently began adoption works at Meadow Rise, Heighington. Construction fences on Central Park North, Darlington, where Keepmoat are the developers (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Story Homes insists it is committed to completing the final phases at Carmel Road South, Blackwell, Darlington. Keepmoat says it will finish Central Park North, Darlington, site 'in the coming months.' But words offer little comfort to residents who've lived for years in unfinished neighbourhoods. What they want is certainty. What they deserve is accountability. And that can't be delivered by voluntary goodwill — it must be enforced. Where do we go from here? As The Northern Echo's investigation has revealed, this is no isolated problem. It is systemic, widespread, and dangerously close to spiralling further. If left unaddressed, unfinished housing estates could become the defining legacy of this decade's development boom. Yet, there is a chance to change course. Read more: Labour promises 'seismic reforms' as it introduces major ... Housebuilders vow to pay £100m after probe into ... Government warns housebuilders not to miss cladding deadline Controversial plans lodged for 600 new homes in Yarm Local authorities must be given more enforcement power. Planning regulations must include stricter post-completion clauses. And developers must be required to communicate clearly with residents, not just during sales, but until the last road, footpath, and light is in place. As Colin Willetts of Homes by Esh rightly puts it earlier in the week, housing should be about 'creating communities for the future' — not leaving families stranded in landscapes of broken promises. Building homes is not just about bricks and mortar. It's about people, and the lives they build behind the front door.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Botulism: Spike in UK cases of extremely rare condition linked to ‘fake botox'
Regulators are urgently investigating the suspected illegal sale of fake botox after dozens of botulism cases were reported in North East England. Botulism is a potentially fatal condition caused by a bacteria-produced toxin, which attacks the body's nerves and can cause paralysis of the muscles and respiratory system. It is extremely rare, with just six cases recorded across England in 2023-24. But – in the space of just a few weeks – 28 cases of botulism have now been reported in North East England, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) – which warned that more cases may yet come to light. The cases, most of which are in the Durham and Darlington areas, have all been reported by people who had recently undergone cosmetic procedures. Reactions have included severe drooping of the upper eye lids, double vision, difficulty swallowing, slurred speech and lethargy, according to the UKHSA. On one night in June, five of the people affected all ended up in the same A&E department in Durham, according to the BBC, which cited internal hospital communications in showing that the local stock of anti-toxin was nearly exhausted, forcing medics to request more from London as they 'braced' for more patients. One of the five patients, Nicola Fairley – a mother of four from Bishop Auckland, in County Durham – told the broadcaster that she had received anti-wrinkle injections in the past, paying £100 for three areas. But she then won a round of treatment from the same provider in a competition, using what she was told was a stronger type of botox and again had three areas injected, without realising the treatment was illegal. While genuine injections should take several days to start working, the 37-year-old said her forehead became 'frozen' within two hours. The business owner who gave Ms Fairley the injections has since apologised, she said, adding: 'I know she hasn't done this on purpose. I just don't know where people get it from – it's scary. 'There needs to be more rules and stricter guidelines on who can do it – not just anybody who can go and do a course and just do it. There's that many people who do it – it's part of your beauty regime like getting your nails done or your hair.' The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is now understood to be investigating the spate of cases. Dr Alison Cave, the agency's chief safety officer, said: 'Public safety is a top priority for the MHRA. Our Criminal Enforcement Unit works hard to identify those involved in the illegal trade in medicines and takes robust enforcement action where necessary. This can include criminal prosecution. 'Botulinum toxin (Botox) is a prescription-only medicine and should only be available in the UK under the supervision of a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional 'Buying Botox and other medicines from illegal suppliers significantly increases the risk of getting a product which is either falsified or not authorised for use in the UK.' Dr Simon Howard of the UKHSA said that agency was still investigating the cause of the cases, and said the practitioners associated with most of the cases were no longer carrying out the procedures. 'However, that does not mean that we may not see more cases as symptoms can take up to four weeks to develop although we are now seeing the number of cases coming forward decreasing which is encouraging news,' said Dr Howard. 'We will continue to work with our partners to reduce the public health risk and would advise people to make sure they take precautions when seeking aesthetic procedures. 'Anyone who has recently undertaken an aesthetic procedure, and is experiencing any of the symptoms listed, should contact NHS 111.' The Department for Health and Social Care said the government was looking into new regulations, with people's lives currently being put at risk by 'inadequately trained operators in the cosmetic sector'. 'We urge anyone considering cosmetic procedures to consider the possible health impacts and find a reputable, insured and qualified practitioner,' a spokesperson told the BBC.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Stockton MP criticises approval of Byers Gill solar farm
An MP says he is "disappointed and angry" over a government decision to approve a large, £200m solar Matt Vickers, who represents Stockton West, has warned the Byers Gill Solar Farm near Darlington and Stockton will harm the local landscape."It will damage our rich tapestry of wildlife and biodiversity and could have a huge impact on our village communities and food security," Vickers government said it would reduce bills and provide energy security, while developer RWE said the facility would be removed at the end of its estimated 40-year lifespan. Vickers previously spoke against the solar farm during a House of Commons debate in 2024, as large swathes of nearby greenbelt land have been obtained by developers for solar to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the 180MW farm would be made up of several blocks of development located in Brafferton, Hauxley Farm, Byers Gill Wood, Great Stainton and two near said the development will cover about 490 hectares (1,211 acres) of land in total. Speaking after the government's decision to approved the plans, Vickers said: "Labour is so obsessed with net-zero and solar farms that they're happy to bulldoze through the views of local residents to push ahead with it."He claimed Labour "couldn't give a damn about the views of local people".But the energy consumers minister Miatta Fahnbulleh said: "Families in the North East have seen their energy bills go through the roof as a result of our exposure to volatile gas prices. "The only way to make British people better off in the long term is by securing clean, homegrown power that we control." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Thousands of Brits had ‘organs removed unnecessarily' while cancers were missed in major hospital errors, NHS says
THOUSANDS of breast cancer patients may have had unnecessary mastectomies or had their cancer missed, a major investigation into a hospital trust has found. The County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust said it was "truly sorry" after it was revealed that some women under its care had "more extensive surgery than was clinically necessary at the time". 4 4 The probe also found that some patients' tumours were missed after they received the wrong kind of biopsy. Others weren't offered chemotherapy or had lymph nodes removed when it wasn't clinically necessary. The review has so far identified 200 cases where errors in care might have occurred. But the trust said thousands of cases dating back to 2019 could come to light and that a number of deaths were also being looked into, according to the BBC. Patients affected mainly received care at the University Hospital of North Durham, one of the hospitals the trust operates. Kathryn Burn, executive director of nursing, said: 'We know that some patients have not received the standard of care that we would want for them, or that they deserve. "We have identified areas where improvement was needed – including how surgical decisions were made, how our multidisciplinary teams worked and where some outdated practices were still in use. 'For some patients, this may have resulted in more extensive surgery than was clinically necessary at the time. "We fully recognise how distressing this is to hear, and we are truly sorry." Kathryn said changes were already being made to improve breast cancer care in the trust's hospitals. Jessie J breaks down in tears in heartbreaking hospital video as she has surgery after breast cancer diagnosis This includes appointing two new consultant breast surgeons and investing in more modern equipment. County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust launched a review into its breast cancer care services in February 2025 after "a patient safety incident", it said in a statement published on its website. It also commissioned an external review conducted by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS). This followed a Northern Cancer Alliance peer review completed between April and June 2024, which suggested the trust was "an outlier in some aspects of breast care delivery". 4 The RCS team visited hospitals in January this year and published their report in April. It revealed that some patients had mastectomies that may not have been necessary. Some received the wrong kind of biopsy - procedures that check if a tumour is cancerous. In one case, RCS said clinical records showed this led to "a small breast cancer" being missed and "subsequent delays in diagnosis and treatment". The report also identified incidents where chemotherapy should have been offered to patients when it should have and "there was no documented reasons in the surgical or multidisciplinary team notes as to why it was not received". In addition, some patients had surgery to remove lymph nodes when not clinically necessary. The RCS made 21 recommendations for improvements in its report. The trust also conducted its own "look back exercise" into breast cancer care at its hospitals, which is still ongoing. What are the signs of breast cancer? BREAST cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK. The majority of women who get it are over 50, but younger women and, in rare cases, men can also get breast cancer. If it's treated early enough, breast cancer can be prevented from spreading to other parts of the body. Breast cancer can have a number of symptoms, but the first noticeable symptom is usually a lump or area of thickened breast tissue. Most breast lumps aren't cancerous, but it's always best to have them checked by your doctor. You should also speak to your GP if you notice any of the following: a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts discharge from either of your nipples (which may be streaked with blood) a lump or swelling in either of your armpits dimpling on the skin of your breasts a rash on or around your nipple a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast Source: NHS It found "two cases in which patients were initially discharged from the service following a diagnostic test but later re-represented with cancer that was missed on the first occasion". It also flagged instances of "excessive surgery, unnecessary invasive surgery and a failure to consider all options, including breast reconstruction". Areas where improvements were needed included how surgical decisions were made and ending the use of outdated practices, the trust said. Kathryn said: 'Over the past four months, we have been reviewing the care of patients who had surgery through the breast service in 2024. "Where we have concerns about the care a patient received, we are contacting them directly and personally about this. "Patients whose care has been reviewed and found to be appropriate are also being contacted to provide reassurance. "Since February, we have reviewed – with the support of external experts – 123 individual cases of care. "We have spoken with more than 80 patients to openly discuss elements which could have been done differently and been improved. 'This work is not yet complete, and we continue to review patient notes. "We have also set up a patient call line and email address where any patients who have questions or concerns about their care can get in touch with us to share their experience.' 4 Kathryn told the BBC that the trust was looking at the investigation"from a clinical urgency perspective" and it had made "a lot of improvements". "We are looking back systematically through clinical priority where we feel there might be more risk to our patients," she said. She added: 'We are incredibly grateful to the patients who have taken the time to speak with us, to share their experiences and to raise concerns. "Listening to these experiences has been a vital part of learning and improving. 'The review is still ongoing and we remain committed to speaking directly with any patient whose care warrants follow-up.
