Latest news with #DuncanBannatyne
The Independent
3 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Dragons' Den star Duncan Bannatyne and his wife Nigora witness ‘life-changing' surgeries
Scottish entrepreneur and philanthropist Duncan Bannatyne is currently in Morocco with his wife Nigora to support Operation Smile. The Dragons' Den star has been an ambassador for the charity, which provides free cleft lip and palate surgery for children, since 2013. The couple are there to witness the charity's Women in Medicine programme and to meet the young patients and their families as they undergo life-changing operations carried out entirely by female medics. The health clubs entrepreneur met eight-month-old Zyad, who was about to undergo surgery on a cleft palate. Bannatyne has previously visited Operation Smile missions in the Philippines, Mexico, Vietnam and Ghana. His chain of gyms has raised £45,000 for the charity over a week of events. 'I am incredibly proud to support Operation Smile and witness the life-changing impact of these surgeries,' Bannatyne said. 'The dedication and expertise of the medical teams provide hope and brighter futures for so many children. 'It was wonderful to meet Zyad before his operation and witness the transforming effect that Operation Smile has on children's lives.' On his website, Bannatyne said charity work 'often leaves you feeling depressed, and helpless thinking, 'there must be more I can do'. 'Operation Smile is different. You see first-hand a child's life changed forever by a simple operation that takes less than one hour. You see the children's new smile and the happy tears of their parents. For me, it doesn't get much better than that. 'We need to keep making this happen because there are still so many children suffering."
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Dragons' Den star Duncan Bannatyne supports life-changing children's charity in Morocco
Dragons' Den star Duncan Bannatyne supports life-changing children's charity in Morocco The couple are there to witness the charity's Women in Medicine programme and to meet the tiny patients and their families who are undergoing transformative operations Sara Davies counts fellow Dragon's Den star Duncan Bannatyne as one of her mentors - except the two never appeared together and they have never met (Image: Alasdair MacLeod/Daily Record ) Dragons' Den star Duncan Bannatyne is visiting Morocco with his wife Nigora in support of Operation Smile, a charity which provides free cleft lip and palate surgery for children. The couple are there to witness the charity's Women in Medicine programme and to meet the tiny patients and their families who are undergoing transformative operations. The programme is carried out entirely by female medics and the health clubs entrepreneur met eight-month-old Zyad, who was about to undergo surgery on a cleft palate. Bannatyne has been an ambassador for Operation Smile since 2013 and has previously visited its missions in the Philippines, Mexico, Vietnam and Ghana. His chain of gyms has raised £45,000 for the charity over a week of events. Article continues below He said: "I am incredibly proud to support Operation Smile and witness the life-changing impact of these surgeries. "The dedication and expertise of the medical teams provide hope and brighter futures for so many children. "It was wonderful to meet Zyad before his operation and witness the transforming effect that Operation Smile has on children's lives."
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Scotsman
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Dragons' Den star Duncan Bannatyne supports life-changing children's charity in Morocco
Entrepreneur backs Women in Medicine programme helping young patients and their families undergoing transformative operations Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Dragons' Den star Duncan Bannatyne is visiting Morocco with his wife Nigora in support of Operation Smile, a charity which provides free cleft lip and palate surgery for children. Dragons Den star Duncan Bannatyne with eight-month-old Zyad, who was heading into surgery for a cleft palette operation | Operation Smile/PA The couple are there to witness the charity's Women in Medicine programme and to meet the tiny patients and their families who are undergoing transformative operations. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Dragons Den star Duncan Bannatyne with eight-month-old Zyad, who was heading into surgery for a cleft palette operation | Operation Smile/PA The programme is carried out entirely by female medics and the health clubs entrepreneur met eight-month-old Zyad, who was about to undergo surgery on a cleft palate. Bannatyne has been an ambassador for Operation Smile since 2013 and has previously visited its missions in the Philippines, Mexico, Vietnam and Ghana. His chain of gyms has raised £45,000 for the charity over a week of events. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Brighter futures for so many children' He said: 'I am incredibly proud to support Operation Smile and witness the life-changing impact of these surgeries. 'The dedication and expertise of the medical teams provide hope and brighter futures for so many children.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Duncan Bannatyne, 75, and his wife Nigora Whitehorn, 45, witness life-changing operations at children's hospital in Casablanca with charity Operation Smile
Duncan Bannatyne and his wife Nigora headed to Morocco this week with charity Operation Smile to witness life-changing operations. The Scottish entrepreneur has been a supporter and ambassador for Operation Smile - which helps children with cleft palettes and carries out free surgeries across the world - since 2013. Duncan recently travelled with Nigora to Casablanca with the charity to observe life-changing operations and meet the patients - many of whom are babies and toddlers receiving surgery - and their families, as part of the Women in Medicine programme. The former Dragons' Den star has previously visited The Philippines, Mexico, Vietnam, and Ghana with the charity. Duncan shared a snap of himself in a surgical gown and cap as he introduced eight-month-old Zyad, who was heading into surgery for a cleft palette operation. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. He later shared another snap of the tot after the surgery as he wrote: 'Zyad is recovering well from his operation, Handsome boy.' Sharing a look at their trip to Morocco, Nigora wrote: 'Day One: Selection Day with @opsmileuk and @operationsmilemorocco_official @gabbywhitehorn @tombannatyne1 @ — an emotional and inspiring start, meeting the incredible kids and families filled with hope. ✨.' Duncan showed his generous and philanthropic spirit last year at the Pride Of Britain Awards, after making a huge donation to an incredibly inspiring child's fundraiser. The ceremony had viewers in floods of tears when it aired in November, as it showed eight-year-old girl Florence Bark honoured with a Child of Courage award. The exceptionally brave little girl has battled acute myeloid leukaemia from a young age and is currently waiting for a lung transplant. But even while coping with her own health issues, Florence - who goes by Florrie - has set up her own charity to help other children with cancer, called Be More Fab. And her family has set up a secret GoFundMe page to raise money for the charity, which can be found here. Entrepreneur Duncan, 75, dug deep after being touched by Florrie's story when he attended the Pride of Britain Awards on Monday. Sharing a look at their trip to Morocco, Nigora wrote: 'Day One: Selection Day with @opsmileuk and @operationsmilemorocco_official @gabbywhitehorn @tombannatyne1 @ — an emotional and inspiring start, meeting the incredible kids and families filled with hope. ✨' The businessman benevolently gave a whopping £30,000 to Florrie's fund on Thursday, becoming the top donation of the almost £75,000 raised so far. The Bannatyne health club owner celebrated his milestone 75th birthday with a lavish party in February, as he danced the night away with his beloved wife Nigora. The acclaimed entrepreneur enjoyed the special day as Nigora documented the celebration on her Instagram page, sharing a stunning shot of the couple posing together. Taking to her Stories, the former dental surgery receptionist recorded herself next to Duncan during their lavish outing. Another snap captured Nigora posing inside the sumptuous location as she beamed next to her husband. The Uzbekistan-born beauty exuded fashion wearing Versace from head to toe, sizzling in a chic gold print co-ord from the house brand. Another video captured the Dragon's Den star enjoying his time as he was seen busy chatting to one of his friends, showing a live band on stage in the background. Duncan was in high spirits and appeared to have fully recovered from his recent injury, after he was seen using a walking stick and wearing a knee brace. Right after New Year's celebrations, the philanthropist was seen boarding a plane to depart St Barts' Gustaf III Airport - after spending the festive season on the island alongside his beloved wife.
Scottish Sun
02-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Are gyms open on the Early May Bank Holiday 2025?
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GYMS are always popular in the build-up to the summer months as Brits start working on their ideal beach bodies. However, fitness enthusiasts may have to take a break as several major chains will be adjusting their hours on the Early May Bank Holiday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Some gyms will be adjusting their hours over the bank holiday Credit: Getty Images 3 However, some clubs will remain open for hardcore fitness fanatics Credit: Getty Images The Gym Group Unlike many gym chains in the UK, the Gym Group's branches are open 24/7. This allows customers to work out at any time of their choosing. Its gyms will remain open to customers on the Early May Bank Holiday. Bannatyne's Founded by Scottish business mogul and Dragon's Den star Duncan Bannatyne, Bannatyne Health Clubs are one of the UK's most fashionable places to work out. The chain launched in 1997, in North Yorkshire, and soon grew to have over 60 locations in the UK. Opening times vary between clubs so you'll need to check your local gym's webpage for more details. David Lloyd clubs David Lloyd Leisure was launched in 1982 by tennis legend David Lloyd and has become synonymous with the word "luxury". The chain now has over 100 gyms in the UK and offers swimming, tennis and personalised fitness classes. David Lloyd clubs normally remain open on the Early May Bank Holiday, though some clubs may have a reduced number of classes. Ask at your local gym's reception for more details. Dunnes Stores drop new seamless workout collection Pure Gym Pure Gym is the largest UK gym chain by membership and has more than 300 facilities across the UK (as of April 2025). The chain's facilities are open 24/7, similar to The Gym Group, meaning it is welcomes customers all year round. Although you may need to ask for more details at your local gym, most of the brand's clubs will be open as normal on the Early May Bank Holiday. Total Fitness Despite having just 15 locations in England and Wales, Total Fitness have a staggering 80,000 members. Total Fitness gyms generally open on bank holidays, but business hours will vary depending on the location of each gym. The only exception to this is over Easter, when Total Fitness have closed on Easter Sunday, and operated with reduced hours on Good Friday and Easter Monday. 3 Virgin Active launched in 1999 Credit: Alarmy Virgin Active Virgin Active was first opened by Sir Richard Branson in 1999 and has quickly become one of the coolest gym chains in the UK. On weekdays, Virgin gyms normally open at 6am and close again at 10pm. Opening times are different on weekends, though, with most gyms opening at 8am and closing at 8pm. Virgin Active varies its hours on the Early May Bank Holiday depending on location, so ask at the reception of your gym for specific opening times. Bank holiday dates There are several more UK bank holidays to look forward to this year: England and Wales May 5, 2025 - Early May bank holiday May 26, 2025 - Spring bank holiday August 25, 2025 - Summer bank holiday December 25, 2025 - Christmas Day December 26, 2025 - Boxing Day Scotland May 5, 2025 - Early May bank holiday May 26, 2025 - Spring bank holiday August 4, 2025 - Summer bank holiday December 1, 2025 - St Andrew's Day December 25, 2025 - Christmas Day December 26, 2025 - Boxing Day Northern Ireland
