Latest news with #LisaHarris
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Cwmbran: Update on dad's condition after Thailand crash
Lisa Harris's father, Ronald Smith, aged 70, suffered a severe head injury with a brain bleed, a punctured lung, and other injuries after the crash on May 9. He is being treated at a Thailand hospital, with bills potentially reaching £50,000, according to Ms Harris. Ms Harris described her experience as a "horrific nightmare," stating her father's injuries were extensive. On Friday, May 30, she took to Facebook to share an update on his condition. She said: "Update on Dad, as so many people are asking me here is the update today, things are changing daily. "Dad's health is in decline, he is now non-verbal and glazed which is worse than when I left him, I know this must sound unbelievable but it's the gospel truth. "Every day is a new battle with bills upon bills mounting and no way to pay them, thank you so much for everyone's support and donations, every day is being spent crying, screaming, emailing, phoning, it's never-ending." Ms Harris further explained that her father loved Wales and was a key figure in the Oakfield community in Cwmbran, enjoying darts and pool. However, he had moved to Thailand as a "testing phase." About the health costs she added: "We have contacted the Welsh minister and ombudsman but that can take anywhere up to eight weeks which we do not have, dad's health is declining." Ms Harris has set up a fundraiser to cover the cost of her father's treatment. To date, more than half of the £7,000 target has been raised. If you wish to donate, visit the GoFundMe page. However, the total cost may exceed this amount. The family is unable to pay the current bills, and the hospital has refused to issue a 'fit to fly' certificate, preventing Mr Smith from being flown back to the UK for treatment. Ms Harris has reached out to the Welsh minister and other MPs for help, but any action may take up to eight weeks. She continues to ask for prayers and donations from the public for their "lovely softy Baloo the bear of a dad".
Wales Online
25-05-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Man, 70, from Wales in hospital in Thailand after motorbike crash
Man, 70, from Wales in hospital in Thailand after motorbike crash The man was seriously injured on a bike ride and his family are trying to raise funds for his treatment Ronald Harris, 70, from Cwmbran, is in hospital in Thailand after being injured in a motorbike crash. (Image: Lisa Harris ) A 70 year-old man from Wales is in hospital in Thailand after being seriously injured in a "nightmare" bike crash. Ronald Smith, 70, from Cwmbran, suffered a severe head injury with a brain bleed, a punctured lung, and "a host of other injuries" in the accident on May 9. His family are raising funds for his treatment. His daughter Lisa Harris said he is currently being treated in a Bupa hospital but she says she needs £7,000 to have him transferred to a government-funded hospital in Thailand. She said he moved to Thailand two weeks ago and was injured on a motorbike ride when he went off course. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . Lisa has set up a fundraiser to pay for the costs of his treatment which she fears may spiral. His insurance was declared void with the insurance company saying no alcohol test was done at the time, she said. Article continues below Writing on Gofundme Lisa said: "As some of you may know my dad was involved in a motorbike accident on 9th may in Thailand, he sustained a severe head injury resulting in a bleed to the brain, along with a punctured lung and a whole host of other injuries, he's currently in a Bupa hospital but that's already cost 50k. "I need to get him into a government funded hospital but to do that I need to make a down payment of 7k which I just don't have the funds to do, if anyone out there knows of any small businesses that could help or if any of dads friends or people in the community could donate we would all be extremely grateful as a family for anything given. " I've had to fly home for now and leave him out there which is heartbreaking in itself without the worry of how I'm going to afford his treatment. Article continues below To donate to Lisa's fundraiser see here
Telegraph
21-02-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Demand for year-round rhubarb doubles amid nostalgia boom
The variant is said to have been discovered accidentally in 1815, when labourers working at Chelsea Physic Garden accidentally buried a root bed, only to discover long pink stems when they later cleared away the topsoil. The findings were reported in the Horticultural Society Journal and gave inspiration to commercial growers. Place UK, a Norwich supplier producing 25 tonnes of forced rhubarb every year, says it has seen a 170 per cent increase in sales since 2019. Experts say the increase is driven largely by nostalgia for a flavour many associate with cosy childhood memories. Lisa Harris, co-founder of Harris and Hayes food and drink consultancy, told The Telegraph: 'We've seen a wave of food nostalgia sweep menus recently, which is one contributing factor to rhubarb's moment in the spotlight. It's quite an old-fashioned ingredient, like gooseberries or prunes.' 'Drawn to its nostalgic appeal' Massimo Battipaglia, director of the Chef Academy of London, added: 'Rhubarb's resurgence ties into the broader trend of celebrating seasonal and heritage ingredients…diners are drawn to its nostalgic appeal.' But the ingredient isn't just finding favour among the older generations - much of this upturn has been fuelled by social media, with the vibrant pink hue making rhubarb perfect for online content. TikTok recipes and 'cook-alongs' regularly attract upwards of one million views. Among all the hype, foodies have been experimenting with recipes both old and new. While the favourite still seems to be a classic rhubarb crumble or pie, they tell us that uses for this versatile ingredient go well beyond that. 'Explore its potential' Alex Firman, head of a catering company in East Anglia, says: 'A simple rinse, chop and light bake in a tray with a sprinkle of sugar is all it takes to create a lovely compote.' He recommends pairing this with 'granola and yoghurt as a healthy-ish breakfast, or as a replacement for berries in a simple to prepare Eton Mess. We use it as an accompaniment to feta and honey cheesecake, with a sprinkle of oat shortbread crumble.' Massimo says his team of academy chefs likes to 'explore its potential in savoury dishes - think rhubarb chutneys paired with game meats, pickled rhubarb as a bright counterpoint to rich dishes, or even rhubarb-infused sauces and glazes. In desserts, it shines in mousses, tarts, and sorbets, often paired with unexpected flavours like miso or black pepper to elevate its depth.' Rhubarb can also be used to flavour drinks including gin, wine and lemonade. Food-evoked nostalgia TikTok is awash with creative recipes, with videos guiding users through rhubarb crème brûlées, salads and sorbets. One recent video, explaining how to turn the pink vegetable into a flavoured coffee, attracted over 1.3 million views. Beyond food and drink, it can also be found in a variety of household products, from washing-up liquid to candles and even loo paper. Production shows no signs of slowing down; indeed recent demand for the crop has seen it expand beyond the so-called rhubarb triangle in West Yorkshire to farms all across the UK. And given the well-documented power of food-evoked nostalgia, as well as forced rhubarb's broad base of appeal, it appears that the ingredient is here to stay.
