Latest news with #ITVGranadaReports
ITV News
13 hours ago
- General
- ITV News
Stockport-based community group providing free school uniform to struggling families
ITV Granada Reports journalist Emma Sweeney went to meet those at The Cherry Tree Project, a group that is running a scheme to support families who are unable to afford school uniform. A community group is helping families who are struggling to afford school uniforms by recycling old ones as figures reveal more than one in three parents in the North West struggle to buy them for their children. The Cherry Tree Project, based in Stockport, found that some parents are choosing to go without food instead of sending their children to school without a full uniform. To combat the issue the charity began running the scheme 'Reloved Uniforms', designed to support those families in need. It comes as a survey, released by The Children's Society, revealed almost half of parents think uniform prices have not become more affordable over the past year, despite efforts to make more second-hand items available. Some parents even reported children being punished for breaching school's uniform policies. The Cherry Tree Project professionally clean and package the pre-loved uniforms, which are then gifted to those in need. Rachel Bresnahan, one of the directors of The Cherry Tree Project, said: 'With a standard uniform you're normally looking at about £50 of branded items, up to another £50 worth of PE kit, and then you have your non-branded items which could be the same again, and that's before you start to look at your school bag, your school coat, your shoes. 'I'd say it's going to be a minimum of £200 per child, if not more. It could be double that depending on what school your child goes to." "Parents donate their children's uniform to all Stockport libraries, which have a uniform bin," she added. "We then collect it, launder it, repackage it, make sure it smells nice and that the quality is the same as you'd get from a shop and then that goes back out through those libraries to families who need it. "The idea is that it goes full cycle, fully reloved. "When a child opens it it feels like they've been to a shop so they're still getting the new uniform experience." Sasha Moore, who has to support her three nieces said: 'Financially it's really helped. It's just not affordable, £200 just for three blazers, and on top of that you've got shoes, polo shirts, shirts, skirts, PE kits. Some of them are mandatory and you have to have the school logo on. 'It has made a world of difference.' Talking about her nieces receiving the uniform, Sasha said: 'They were so excited. The one who's going into Year 7 this year was squealing. It's packaged so nicely, it's like a new uniform. 'It takes a village to raise a child, and 'Reloved' is part of that village for us.' The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill is currently making its way through parliament and, if passed, will ban schools from requiring parents to buy more than three branded items as part of the school uniform. Rachel said: 'We really appreciated when the bill came in that said that schools could only have three branded items. But the bill doesn't take into account the PE kit, which is probably another three branded items. 'Some local schools say that the PE kit is optional, however it's not non-optional because the child needs it to not get picked on at school." The Bill is hoping to come into effect from September 2026.
ITV News
6 days ago
- Sport
- ITV News
Boy, 11, with life-limiting condition appeals for help to complete bucket list
ITV Granada Reports correspondent Victoria Grimes has been speaking to Alfie Sales, who is trying to raise money to complete his bucket list. A 11-year-old rugby fan who lives with a life-limiting condition is trying to raise "as much money as I can" so he can "create memories" with his family while he is still able. Alfie Sales, from Leigh, has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a rare genetic condition that predominantly affects boys and causes all muscles in the body to waste away over time. Since Alfie's diagnosis, his parents launched the campaign Action4Alfie, which calls for research into the condition and raises funds for anything the youngster may need as his condition worsens. The young rugby and football fan is appealing to members of the rugby community to donate signed rugby shirts that he can auction off - with all the money raised going towards living out his wish list. "We're going to auction the shirts so we can create memories with my family," Alfie said. "I'd like to train with Liverpool FC and go to watch a football team abroad. I want to raise as much money as I can for my bucket list." What is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy? Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is the most common and severe form of muscular dystrophy. It causes muscle degeneration and weakness due to a mutation in the gene that produces dystrophin, a protein that protects muscle fibres from breaking down. The condition usually only affects boys, with many patients unable to walk by the age of 12 and usually only surviving into their 20s and 30s. There are about 2,500 people in the UK living with DMD at any one time, with about 100 new diagnoses each year. On Wednesday, 6 August, Alfie visited the Leigh Leopards stadium and was surprised by his rugby heroes - who all signed memorabilia for him to be sold at a special auction organised by Super League Raw Weekly podcast. The 11 year-old is a lifelong fourth generation fan of the club. His dad Kieron and grandad were both invited along with him. Alfie's sister Mila Rose and cousin Finlay were both on hand to help get shirts and rugby balls signed for him. Alfie's dad, Kieron Sales, said: "The response has already been incredible. The shirts have been coming in from all directions which is amazing - we're so overwhelmed. "Alfie is not defined by his condition. We're trying to instil in him to take the positives and that's what this is all about. "When he was diagnosed it was a really tough time so we set up Action4Alfie, not just fundraising for Alfie but for the charities who have supported him. He is so inspirational." Owner of Leigh Leopards, Derek Beaumont, said: "Alfie is great. It's a great initiative and I'm so glad we can support it. He has got a real level of importance, something he is owning and achieving. "Unfortunately, a lot of people that have struggles in life don't get to do that. To champion him and try to make things as normal as possible for him, it's something we're really keen on." Alfie first appeared on Granada Reports aged six during lockdown in 2020. His Toy Story themed birthday party had to be cancelled because he had to isolate during the Pandemic. The auction is due to take place in November 2025.
ITV News
24-07-2025
- Health
- ITV News
Mum with terminal cancer cured thanks to miracle liver transplant trial
ITV Granada Reports journalist Sam Taylor sat down with a mum after a miracle liver transplant trial saved her life. A mum who told her doctor she was going to be a "medical miracle" is now cancer-free after becoming only the second person to have a liver transplant to treat advanced bowel cancer. Vicki Steyert, from Wigan, was diagnosed with the incurable cancer just weeks after giving birth to her second child. She was told treatment would only extend her life, rather than save it, but during her chemotherapy Vicki was given the news she would be eligible for a new clinical trial that could potentially cure her. 'I was only 33 and a mum to a newborn and a four-year-old, so even though I had suspected that something was wrong, to be given that news was devastating,' she said. After two transplants she finally received the news she was waiting for, and now in remission says she is looking forward to the future. "Two people had to lose their lives to save me this time. Although a lot of people do sign up for it, there is a huge shortage," she added. "The transplant meant my original prognosis was out the window. We're reaching milestones that I wasn't sure I was ever going to reach at the time. "So four years ago I wondered whether I'd see Charlie start school. And he starts Reception this September. "Now I am cancer free, I can make plans a bit further into the future. Our next hope at the moment is that we want to buy a campervan and have some adventures as a family together." Vicki first discovered her cancer when she noticed her bowel habits had changed and there was blood in her poo. She had blood and stool samples taken, which didn't show anything was was also experiencing frequent urinary tract infections, which continued after giving birth to Charlie, who is now three. She had a scan of her bladder in May 2021, and the radiographer spotted some abnormalities on her liver by chance. She said: "It was awful, Alex was four at the time and Charlie was six weeks old. The GP rang and said: 'We've got you an appointment for Monday morning and we need to talk about your scan results'. "There was never any hope that it would cure what I had, it was just a case of palliative chemotherapy for as long as it would work. "I actually joked with my oncologist the first time I met her and said: 'Don't worry, I'll be a medical miracle and you'll see me on Granada Reports one day." Vicki added: "The cancer had been there throughout my pregnancy. It's a miracle I had no complications and a healthy baby." Following her diagnosis, Vicki was referred to The Christie's local treatment centre in Wigan and was told that, because of the spread of the cancer, her treatment would be palliative. But, during her chemotherapy and other treatments, liver transplant trials were introduced for certain patients with bowel cancer, and Vicki was eligible to have the operation. She added: " The Christie came back and said potential for a liver transplant is going to come to the NHS in the next couple of years. They said if you stay as you are, you would be an ideal candidate." Vicki's consultant oncologist at The Christie Dr Kalena Marti said: "I remember the first time that I met Vicki and we had the conversation about the disease not being operable. "When she started her journey, I don't think either Vicki or I would have thought that this would be where she is now and I'm delighted that she's doing so well." Vicki had her liver transplant at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, but it did not come without complications. Her first transplant failed and she had to have an emergency transplant three days later. Dr Kalena said: "I think this demonstrates that it can be very straight forward in terms of recovery but sometimes patients will face complications and obviously it's not a risk-free procedure." Vicki's procedure makes her only the second person to have the liver transplant as cancer treatment - after a woman from Manchester became the first. Bianca Perea, a trainee lawyer from Manchester, was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in November 2021, which had spread to eight segments of her liver and left her with limited treatment options. But after also having the liver transplant at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, she now shows no signs of cancer. Want more on the issues affecting the North? Our podcast, From the North answers the questions that matter to our region.
ITV News
16-07-2025
- Climate
- ITV News
Ormskirk powerboat driver's bid for F2 world championship glory
ITV Granada Reports journalist Lauren Ostridge has been speaking to Mat Palfreyman who is due to compete in the second round of the F2 World Powerboat Championships. A British powerboat driver, who reaches speeds of up to 120mph when he competes, says the sport is a "huge adrenaline rush" - but his mum can't watch his races in person. Matt Palfreyman, from Ormskirk, is hoping for back-to-back wins as he travels to Lithuania for the second round of the F2 World Powerboat Championship. The 32-year-old dad, and member of the Lancashire Powerboat Racing Club, claimed victory in the opening round of the competition in Italy in June, beating teams from Sweden, France, Norway and Abu Dhabi. But the competitive amateur sport is not for the faint-hearted, with Matt admitting his own mum will not watch him compete at high speeds. "My mum comes to the races but she'll watch it on a live-stream on her phone - it's a bit baffling for me", Matt said. "It is an adrenalin rush. We've done the record run in boats at 138mph, but that is just holding on for dear life." Matt drives for Team Kingfisher, owned and managed by businessman and fellow powerboat driver Ian Blacker, and trains at Carr Mill Dam, near St Helens. When the team competed in Brindisi, Italy, Matt says he felt "right at home" because the conditions on the water were choppy, but he was not prepared for the heat. He said: "I think it was 35 degrees and we had a weather warning, plus you're in a fireproof suit in an enclosed cockpit - you can add another 15 degrees at least. "But to be honest when your helmet is on and you're in the race, you're just trying to beat whoever is in front of you and get to the end of the race." "You can't beat the feeling of winning and being the best," said Ian Blacker. "There's a team that's sponsored by the Abu Dhabi government and a team sponsored by the Saharsa government and we beat them." Power-boating is a highly regulated sport and, in order to operate at high speeds, drivers have to pass an annual "dunk test" to ensure they can escape the cockpit if the vessel flips on water. "Simulated and the real thing are two completely different things", Matt explains. "When I was competing last year, with five laps to go, we did end up losing and putting it over backwards. "Suddenly you can see sky and the you can see water and then sky again. There are a lot of safety features to keep you safe but I promise you they don't come into your head in the moment - you're just trying to get out." The second round of the F2 World Powerboat Championships take place in Lithuania from Thursday, 17 June, with the final scheduled between 12-14 September in Portugal.
ITV News
01-07-2025
- Health
- ITV News
Former Coronation Street star Victoria Ekanoye calls for more research into Sickle Cell disease
ITV Granada Reports entertainment correspondent Caroline Whitmore has been catching up with Victoria Ekanoye who lives with Sickle Cell disease. A former Coronation Street star who lives with Sickle Cell disease says research into the UK's biggest genetic blood disorder would be further ahead if it was not seen as a "black disease". Around 15,000 people live with the incurable condition which mostly affects those from African and Caribbean backgrounds. But Victoria Ekanoye says it can affect anyone of any ethnicity. The 43-year-old says she was "very quiet" about her own diagnosis when she was a younger woman but "shouts it from the rooftops" now because "we need the visibility". "People say that Sickle Cell is a black disease but it really isn't," she added. "Any single person can have the Sickle Cell gene. It developed as a mutation gene as a defence mechanism against malaria. "It may be controversial to say but if it wasn't a specific demographic that mainly struggled with this condition then we would be a lot further ahead in treatment." The mum-of-one, who starred in the ITV soap for three years, was diagnosed with Sickle Cell in her 20s and says she often experiences painful episodes and exhaustion. "My mum is a carrier, my father passed away from it and now my son is a carrier," she said. "I'm always tired, especially being a mum, but the main thing I experience is the Sickle Cell crises. "Something has happened along the way to cause my blood to not flow correctly and, when it does get clogged up in the veins, it can cause excruciating pain." Victoria, who is originally from Bury, supports the charity Sickle Cell Care Manchester which has just celebrated its 10th anniversary with a fundraising ball in Worsely, Salford. She said: "It has blown me away the amount of blood, sweat and tears of getting to 10 years. We asked everyone to wear read and everybody showed up. It was beautiful." What is Sickle Cell disease? It is a group of inherited conditions that affect the red blood cells and can cause pain, infection and in severe cases it can be life-threatening. The most serious type is called sickle cell anaemia. People with sickle cell disease produce unusually shaped red blood cells that can cause problems because they do not live as long as healthy blood cells and can block blood vessels. It is a life-long disease and particularly common in people with an African or Caribbean family background. What are the symptoms of Sickle Cell disease? According to the NHS, people born with the blood disease tend to have problems from early childhood, although some children have few symptoms and lead normal lives most of the time. The main symptoms are: Episodes of pain known as sickle cell crises are one of the most common and distressing symptoms of sickle cell disease. More vulnerable to infections, particularly when young. Nearly all people with the disease have anaemia, where the haemoglobin in the blood is low. Some people also experience other problems, such as delayed growth, strokes and lung problems.
