Latest news with #Eyemouth
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'My wife thinks I'm nuts': Dad battling blood cancer taking on huge cycle challenge
A dad of two battling blood cancer is set to cycle 250 miles across Scotland for charity. Robert Howat, 50, from Kilbarchan, was diagnosed in 2024 with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, a type of blood cancer. Despite the diagnosis, he plans to help fund research by raising money and awareness for Blood Cancer UK. He will join two friends for a cycling challenge coast-to-coast from Stranraer to Eyemouth in June. Robert Howat (Image: Supplied) The ride will take place over two days. To donate to Robert's fundraising campaign for Blood Cancer UK, go to He said: "When I got the diagnosis, I thought, what can I do to show people you can still live fully and help others while you're at it? "I'm on watch and wait, so I go in for check-ups every few months, and I want to show people what you can do with a blood cancer." (Image: Supplied) He will be cheered on by his wife, daughters, and friends, even though his wife called the challenge "mad" and thought he was "nuts" for doing it. According to Robert, he was always fit and healthy and never smoked, so the blood cancer diagnosis came as a shock. He said: "It's been a shock for the family, but I'm still trying to process why it's happened. "I did everything right, I'm fit and healthy, I don't smoke, yet I've been dealt this hand." The former police officer, now working at Glasgow Airport, admitted that the diagnosis and subsequent treatment could impact his ability to train as vigorously as he used to. He said: "I have to be careful, CLL affects your immune system, so I need to avoid infection and balance exercise with recovery. "I can't train like I used to." Mairead Macleod, Scotland fundraising manager at Blood Cancer UK, said: "Having chronic leukaemia, a blood cancer, can be hard enough to navigate, and it's incredible Robert is still able to push himself to raise awareness and funds for Blood Cancer UK. "Blood cancer is the UK's fifth most common blood cancer. "It's because of the determination of people like Robert, we are able to fund more research into the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of blood cancers. "He's pedalling us closer to the day where we beat blood cancer for good." Robert hopes to encourage others grappling with a cancer diagnosis to live fully, saying: "When I was well in the past I've run marathons, done tough mudders, and long bike rides but this is different. "This one means more. "I'm doing it show people you can still live with a cancer diagnosis."
Scotsman
16-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Scotland holiday parks celebrate TripAdvisor Traveller's Choice Award wins
Four Parkdean Resorts holiday parks in Scotland are celebrating winning Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards for 2025. Eyemouth, Grannie's Heilan' Hame, Nairn Lochloy, and Sundrum Castle Holiday Parks each won the prestigious awards, which recognise the top 10% of businesses that consistently earn positive reviews and honour select accommodations, attractions and restaurants which demonstrate a commitment to hospitality excellence. Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. 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... 2025 marks a record performance for Parkdean Resorts in the Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards – with a total of 32 of its holiday parks and hotels receiving awards from the world's largest travel guidance platform. Steve Richards, CEO at Parkdean Resorts, said: 'Winning the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Award is a testament to the hard work our teams put in every day, allowing our guests to make amazing memories with their families and loved ones. We're extremely proud of our parks and always strive to improve the overall guest experience. The feedback we receive from our visitors is very important to us and we're delighted to see such a high proportion of our parks win this prestigious award.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Parkdean Resorts employs over 8,000 people across the UK and welcomes more than 3 million holidaymakers to its parks every year. Its commitment to investing in the full holiday experience, providing exceptional F&B options and activities for families, has contributed to the great scores and results achieved, and is a testament to its park teams. Nairn Lochloy Holiday Park Family Eating Parkdean Resorts' commitment to creating unforgettable experiences for its holidaymakers has earned the company British Travel Awards every year for the past twelve years, including Best Company for UK Family Holidays, Best Company for UK Parks and Lodges Holidays, and Best Company for UK Short Breaks. Parkdean Resorts is the leading operator of holiday parks in the UK, welcoming in excess of 3 million holidaymakers each year. The company owns and operates 66 award-winning holiday parks and has an unrepeatable freehold property footprint with 3,500 acres of land, including forests, peatbogs, rivers, beaches, and headlands in some of the UK's finest beauty spots. Parkdean Resorts is committed to caring for its parks, people, and planet to create a positive environmental impact on nature and resources, and to acting responsibly for the long-term sustainability of its business. The company's 33,000 pitches include a wide range of accommodation options, from static caravans to luxury lodges and glamping, as well as touring and camping pitches. Parkdean Resorts has 20,000 holiday home owners and sells over 600,000 holidays a year, mainly to families.
The Sun
11-05-2025
- The Sun
Hero schoolboy rushed to save life of gran after she plunged into Scots harbour
A HERO schoolboy helped to save his gran after she fell from a harbour bridge and became trapped in a narrow gap against a wall. Jayden Swift, nine, who is autistic, overcame his fear of talking to strangers to alert a dog walker as Grace, 64, floundered in the cold water. 4 4 4 The pair were visiting friend Helen Waldie in Eyemouth, Berwickshire, when Grace stumbled off the walkway. With no swimming experience and suffering from COPD, Grace struggled to stay afloat for several minutes as Jayden ran for help. The gran, from Whitburn, West Lothian, said: 'I thought I was going to die. 'I've never been so scared. I couldn't get a grip on the bridge and just kept sinking. 'I saw death in front of me.' Helen, who rang 999, said: 'Jayden ran to get help while I tried to hold onto Grace's hand. 'We were panicking. It was terrifying.' The dog walker managed to pull Grace out of the water as emergency services arrived. Paramedics treated her for cold water shock and hypothermia. Grace said: 'Jayden saved my life. If he hadn't run for help, I would have drowned.' Watch incredible moment MAFS legend chases down machete-wielding carjacker teen before making heroic citizen's arrest Helen added: 'We've been telling Jayden he's a superhero. We're so proud.' Eyemouth Coastguard agreed Jayden's quick thinking and calling 999 'undoubtedly saved a life'.
