Latest news with #Lorna
Channel 4
13 minutes ago
- Business
- Channel 4
Kidneys For Sale: Kenya's Transplant Tourism
I've been to Kenya to investigate the murky world of transplant tourism and a black market that preys on the poor. Wealthy tourists travel here from across the world to receive illegal, but life-saving kidney transplants. The donors receive less than £2000 for donating their organs. It's clear these men are not the ones benefiting financially from the deal – so who is? And who exactly are these organs going to? Across the world, thousands of patients are tied to dialysis machines, week after week, and for them, a transplant means life. However, donors are few and waiting lists are endless. For those who are wealthy and desperate, waiting isn't an option and if they have the cash, they are prepared to pay as much as £80,000 for a life-saving transplant. They come from Israel, Germany, France and Japan and a range of African countries. On the other side there are the sellers. Many young men in Eldoret, a quiet town in western Kenya, are healthy but extremely poor, with no job, no prospects and no lifeline. So they offer the one thing they have: their body – and a kidney, at a price of £1,800. I've been investigating how these two worlds meet, and it involves a long, shadowy chain of brokers – each one taking a cut. At the top: wealthy foreigners, using companies like Medlead, which openly advertises transplant services online. The company has agents in Kenya, who welcome clients, and arrange their stay at a luxury hotel. Medlead didn't respond to our questions, but they've previously said they have no involvement in locating donors, and that they operate in accordance with the law. Below them are local brokers and recruiters, many of whom have also sold their own kidneys. It's essentially a pyramid. They recruit their friends, and if the friend agrees, the recruiter earns a few hundred pounds. That's enough to feed a family, and enough to tempt another. Those higher in the chain? They earn much more. The final stop is Mediheal Hospital, which is a separate company from Medlead. Here, they perform the crossmatch, the paperwork, the surgery. Conditions are clean, professional and efficient. But it's illegal – not to mention unethical – for doctors to carry out a transplant when they know the donor is being paid or coerced. As one nurse, Lorna, explained to me: 'I'm conflicted because having a human heart you always wish to see someone live. Despite him buying the kidney no one wishes someone to die.' Mediheal is so well-known in Eldoret that young men walk in asking to sell their kidneys. However Dr Srinivas Murthy, Mediheal's chief kidney doctor, denies any knowledge of payments to donors and says his only goal is to save patients: 'It's very painful to see somebody rotting on dialysis… it's difficult because it's there choice ultimately whether to sell or not… the government should help youth to find a better source of money.' Mediheal is owned by Indian-born businessman and politician Swarup Mishra. The company claims to abide by strict ethical and legal standards – and said it would cooperate with a police investigation into transplants at the hospital. They also deny any involvement in arrangements between donors and recipients. But this is a cycle driven by need – one human's desperation to live, and another's desperation to escape poverty. But when survival is for sale, who really profits? Kenya push for carbon capture profits threat to indigenous forest people 'Corruption is genocide' – Kenya's Gen Z protester taking on the government Kenya's president scraps finance bill after deadly protests
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Leeds SEND transport cuts 'target the most vulnerable'
A group of parents said they were worried some children would drop out of education in September when they lose their free school September, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) students over 16 will no longer be provided with a free school bus after Leeds City Council decided to cut the service to save £800, families said they rely on the bus and some parents said they would have to pay thousands and lose work to drive their children to whose son Josh has Down's syndrome, autism and anxiety, said the policy change would lead to her or her partner going part-time at work. Under the changes, children have been assessed by the council with some being awarded a Personal Transport Allowance or free bus Lorna said the £2,000 Josh had been awarded would "no way" cover the said: "It's going to have a huge effect. Josh is at a specialist school 11 miles away. He's been on school transport for the last eight years."The only option we're going to have is to take him ourselves. And that's just taken that little bit of independence he has away."The whole thing is targeting the most vulnerable people." According to campaign group Save Our School Transport, more than 1,000 children will be affected by the policy changes.A Leeds City Council spokesperson said it remained committed to supporting young people in accessing education. They said: "Transition arrangements are in place to ensure continuity for those currently in post-16 education who are receiving transport support under the current policy, unless there is a significant change in their circumstances, such as a change of address, learning setting or medical needs."While there is no statutory requirement to provide transport for learners in post-16 education, the council continues to offer discretionary assistance. "This may include a zero-fare travel pass, Independent Travel Training, or a banded Personal Travel Allowance."Families have the right to appeal any transport award decision." Ailith is mum to Thalia, who has Down's syndrome. She said she was concerned the policy changes would not meet children's needs."We were assured in conversations previously that the policy would be applied flexibly and that everybody's situation would be looked at and it feels like that hasn't happened," she mum to Lyall, said the £1,000 they had been awarded "doesn't compensate at all".She said: "Lyall found school transport completely overwhelming so I made the decision to drive him to school because we were offered 50p a mile."I've dropped five hours a week at work, which has had a massive financial impact on me."Some children just won't go to school. They are losing education and losing life skills." Una Summerson, head of policy and public affairs at Contact, a charity for families with disabled children, said school transport was "vital" for said: "In some cases it means young people can't continue with their education but often the responsibility falls to their parents and that can mean a parent has to reduce their hours, give up careers. It makes family life much more difficult and adds stress."Some families are being charged thousands for what was previously free provided transport, and this is having a massive financial impact on them when they have all sort of higher costs compared to other families." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Scottish Sun
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Stunning Docklands riverside hotel is perfect spot to enjoy trip with ‘Friends'
The hotel was ideal for visit to the Friends exhibition at the ExCel WHEN people head for a trip to London, it's usually to take in iconic sights like Big Ben or Buckingham Palace. But when I booked a surprise trip for my sister Lorna's big 50, having already seen the Big Smoke's most famous landmarks a few times over, we decided to check out a different side of the city. Advertisement 13 Lisa and Lorna lived out their 'Friends' dream in Monica's kitchen at the ExCel Credit: the Sun 13 The Docklands area of the capital is perfect spot for seeing all the city gems Credit: Getty 13 The sisters are HUGE fans of the hit TV show Friends Credit: Getty So, I arranged an afternoon of comedy and capers at the incredible Friends Experience in the ExCeL Centre and after flying down to Heathrow we headed for London's Docklands. Our base for the weekend was the Crown Plaza London Docklands — and what a beautiful one it was. The hotel sits right on the water's edge, sharing its peak spot with some quirky street food vendors. After a quick selfie by the funky flower wall, we headed upstairs to our superior room which offered plenty of space, TWO king-sized beds and a cracking river view. Advertisement 13 The Crowne Plaza is in the heart of London's Docklands right on the River Thames 13 The Crowne Plaza's flower wall was a perfect selfie spot Credit: the Sun 13 The room had two kingsize beds and was lovely and spacious with a river view 13 Trendy Fremantle bar and restaurant does a roaring trade from both hotel guests and passers-by Advertisement 13 Fabulous food at Freemantle Credit: the Sun Dinner was at stylish in-house restaurant Fremantle, where the menu offers tastes from around the globe and the drinks are just as varied. We both opted for the tempura prawns for our starters, which were deliciously crisp and juicy. I followed that with the BBQ steak flatbread with bourbon chipotle, tomato salsa and szechuan crunch which was a delight. Advertisement Sis enjoyed the chicken katsu sando with pickled shallots, peppers and Thai chilli jam, all washed down with a beautiful bottle of Malbec. Next day, after tucking into Fremantle's massive hot buffet breakfast we went exploring after deciding to stay local in the Docklands. Just a stone's throw from the hotel is Heroica, a unique bar and dining experience where you can enjoy a beer and a pizza inside an old London bus. Inside Jennifer Aniston's $21MILLION Bel Air mansion as she gives a tour amid Emmy 2024 prep Still too full from breakfast, we enjoyed a refreshing pre-lunch Aperol Spritz. Advertisement Nearby is the IFS Cloud Cable Car which takes you (as the name suggests) into the clouds, 90 metres above the River Thames to the Greenwich Peninsula and home of the Millennium Dome — now known as the O2 — where between shops, bars and restaurants and various different experiences, you won't be stuck to fill your day. Birthday celebration As it happened we had a date with some 'Friends', so after a bite to eat at Gordon Ramsay's Street Burger, we hopped back on the cable car and headed to the ExCeL London, which was, conveniently, a five- minute walk from the hotel. After watching Friends together over and over (and over!), for more than 30 years the Friends Experience was the perfect way to spend a big birthday celebration. We ambled through the set recreations and interactive displays reminiscing about all the moments over the last three decades that have made us laugh again and again. Advertisement Walking into Monica and Rachel's and Chandler and Joey's apartments was so surreal and so special. 13 The sisters took the cable car to the exhibit Credit: The Sun 13 Tea at Monica and Rachel's was surreal and all part of the Friends Experience at London's ExCeL 13 The girls enjoyed a tour of the iconic Friends set, including a rest in Joey and Chandler's loungers Advertisement 13 Joey, Ross, Chandler, Monica and Phoebe in the episode 'The One Where They All Turn Thirty.' Credit: Getty We sat by the big window, hoping not to catch a glimpse of Ugly Naked Guy, played some fusball in the boys' kitchen and had a go on Phoebe's guitar and Ross's keyboard in the world famous Central Perk, before enjoying a glass of bubbly watching the world go by. After that we jumped on the Elizabeth Line and headed just one short stop to the thriving Canary Wharf for some dinner at Wahaca — an authentic and trendy Mexican restaurant set up by Masterchef winner, Thomasina Miers, which serves up the best nachos and margaritas I've ever had. 13 Some refreshing margaritas served up at trendy Mexican restaurant, Wahaca - set up by Masterchef winner, Thomasina Miers Advertisement Once a hub for shipping and industry, London's Docklands has made a name for itself as a vibrant, fun place to both live and visit. The Crowne Plaza is the perfect spot to stay for a gig at the O2 or ExCeL or even if you're looking for an easy way to get in and out of the Big Smoke's more bustling parts. It's also a great place to unwind away from the crowds and enjoy London at leisure.
Metro
08-05-2025
- Health
- Metro
Woman quit over results of ‘which Star Wars character are you?' personality quiz
A woman has been handed nearly £30,000 after she was compared to Darth Vader in a team building exercise. Lorna Rooke, an NHS blood donation worker, was told she had the personality of a Sith Lord by colleague Amanda Harber. Amanda had taken a Star Wars -themed Myers-Brigg psychology quiz on Lorna's behalf because she was out of the room on a call and told everyone the result. The quiz sorted people into 16 categories based on several factors including: introversion intuition decision making worldy perception Darth Vader was described as a 'very focused individual' who brought people together. However, Lorna said the result made her feel unpopular as she didn't like being compared to Darth Vader who is half-human, half-machine, and uses the dark side of The Force in pursuit of building his galaxy empire. She cited the comparison as one of the reasons why she resigned a month later. Employment judge Kathryn Ramsden agreed with her, saying the comparison was upsetting. She added that it was 'little wonder' that Lorna was upset. She said: 'Darth Vader is a legendary villain of the Star Wars series, and being aligned with his personality is insulting.' The tribunal found that her resignation was as a result of the comparison, but did accept the incident had been detrimental to her. As a result she was awarded £28,989.61 in compensation. Three other claims of unfair dismissal, discrimination and failure to make reasonable adjustments were rejected by the panel. However, her claims for unfair dismissal, disability discrimination and failure to make reasonable adjustments were thrown out. NHS blood and Transplant has been contacted for comment. check our news page.
Perth Now
08-05-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Woman awarded almost £30k after being compared to Darth Vader
An NHS worker has been awarded almost £30,000 in compensation after a colleague compared her to Darth Vader in a 'Star Wars'-themed psychological test. A tribunal in Croydon, South London heard that Lorna Rooke, a blood donation staff member, found the judgement from her colleague Amanda Harber of falling into the category of being the black-clothed, villainous key leader within the Galactic Empire in the team-building activity to be "upsetting" and "insulting". However, the NHS Blood and Transplant Service test regarded "Vaders" as someone who is "very focused" and forges successful working teams. The judge ruled that Lorna's case was detrimental because Amanda's "perception" of her was similar to the iconic baddie, which was shared with their other colleagues. As a result, Lorna - who felt "unpopular" after being compared to Darth Vader, and cited it as one of the reasons why she quit her job a month later - won £28,989.61 in compensation. Lorna also accused her workplace of unfair dismissal, but the judge threw the claim out.
