Latest news with #Lucie
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
'Both my daughters needed new hearts from organ donors'
A mum from Surrey who was not on the organ donor register until her two young daughters needed heart transplants has said she realised "how important it is" after her children spent time on the waiting to new figures by NHS Blood and Transplant, 8,096 patients were on the transplant waiting list as of 31 March - the highest number on record. This record number includes 95 people in Surrey and does not include the 3,883 patients suspended due to being unfit for transplant or temporarily Perry, from Leatherhead, said she owed both her daughters' lives to organ donors and called for more people to be on the register. Her daughters Lucie and Isobel, now 16 and 10 respectively, have each had a heart transplant after being diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition where the left ventricle becomes enlarged and Perry told Radio Surrey that Lucie was diagnosed "out of the blue" at the age of two, before Isobel was confirmed to have the same condition during a check up seven years Lucie's diagnosis, she said: "I went from being with the GP in the morning to that in the evening... it's a lot to get your head around."Going through the process again with Isobel was "horrific", Mrs Perry got a new heart within eight days of being listed, while Isobel - who had complications prior to joining the list - waited just 10 days. Mrs Perry said the disease meant both children had enlarged hearts."It meant that there was more space for a larger heart... so they could have an older child's heart," she in hospital with Isobel, she said the stark reality became apparent."There were four children waiting for hearts, and two of them didn't make it," she that she wasn't previously on the donor register, Mrs Perry said that these experiences shifted her perspective."I believe you can't be willing to take something without being willing to give back," she said. "My daughters would have both died if they hadn't got that heart... we got very lucky, twice." Opt-in system Dave Webb from Walton-on-Thames now lives a full life, but it was an entirely different story just six years ago as the 52-year-old awaited a new Webb was born with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition in which muscle tissues of the heart become thickened without an obvious cause."In my adult years - in my 20s onwards - I begun to realise that I did have some symptoms and I couldn't function as well as, say, other people," he told BBC Radio 52-year-old's deteriorating condition meant that he reached a crossroad by his mid-40s."If I didn't receive a transplant, I wouldn't last for many more years," he Webb was "very, very fortunate" to only be on the waiting list for four weeks, and after receiving a new heart at the age of 46, said he felt completely getting back into sport, he spends time meeting other transplant patients and has really relished "celebrating the gift of life that we've been given".Referencing the opt-in system that has been in place since 2020, Mr Webb says the most important thing is that people "make their wishes known" to family."They hold the ultimate key, because when something does happen, they have to be referenced and they have to agree," he added.
Scottish Sun
07-07-2025
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
I'm a gardening expert – here's the two rules you must follow to get a Wimbledon-worthy lawn this summer
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A GARDENING expert has revealed her top tips to get a Wimbledon-worthy lawn this summer. Parts of Scotland are set to be hotter than Tenerife this week too, so it's the perfect chance to do some essential garden maintenance. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Two simple tips can make your lawn Wimbledon-worthy this summer Credit: Getty Glasgow will be basking in the glorious sunshine with the mercury to hit highs of 28C in the city, while Edinburgh is also set to see highs of 28C on Saturday, with temperatures of 23C in Aberdeen. The Met Office long range forecast from July 11 to July 20 states: "Many parts of the UK are expected to be part way through a period of high temperatures and humidity at the start of this period. "The duration, geographical extent and intensity of the heat are all rather uncertain at present, but there is the potential for some very hot weather to be realised, especially across some inland southern and eastern areas. "With this also comes the possibility of thunderstorms, in part because of the high temperatures, but also in association with any frontal systems moving in from the west, which would ultimately usher in cooler and fresher conditions. "Towards the latter part of the period, northwestern areas stand a greater chance of experiencing rather more changeable conditions, with drier and occasionally hotter spells more likely further southeast." To make the most of the weather, Lucie Bradley has teamed up with David Wilson Homes to reveal how Brits can achieve a Wimbledon-worthy centre court finish at home for summer. And she says there are two simple rules you should be following. First up, Lucie said it's important to keep on top of watering throughout the summer months as rainfall typically becomes less frequent and reliable. She said: "Rather than using a hosepipe, which wastes large amounts of water, household water, known as grey water, can be collected and used instead. "Examples of this include bathroom sink and shower water, kitchen sink water, and leftover bathtub water, providing these are all free from harsh chemicals or pollutants. Watch the moment home owner walks over their new-build's lawn and shows how landscaping turned it into a water bed "Another great way to sustainably water a lawn is by using a water butt to collect and store rainwater that can be used within the garden at no cost." The gardening pro also revealed that the best time of day to water a lawn is during the early morning between 6am and 10am as this is typically the coolest time of day, so the water will not evaporate. "Make sure your lawn is dry before nightfall however, as leaving your lawn damp overnight will make it more susceptible to disease", she adds. The second top hack that can help your lawn thrive during the warmer months is mulching, according to Lucie. She says that leaving grass clippings on the lawn after mowing, known as mulch, can keep your lawn hydrated. She adds: "Not only does this help recycle the nutrients back into the soil, but it also helps the soil to better retain its moisture by slowing down dryness caused by evaporation." Aside from these two simple tips, how often you cut your grass can also make a difference to its condition. Lucie says: "From June, you should now increase mowing frequency to once a week as this is the peak period of grass growth. "To get those signature lines, alternate which direction you mow the lawn in long, straight lines. "This changes the angle at which the light reflects off the grass blade, giving the impression that the grass is a different colour."
Irish Independent
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Wexford playground campaign launched – ‘It's incredible how little there is in Ireland compared to Czech Republic'
Originally from the Czech Republic, Lucie Reavy came to Ireland five and half years ago. First, she lived in North Dublin before moving to Wexford and admits she is 'shocked' by the lack of public amenities. 'It's incredible how little there is in Ireland compared to what I was used to in the Czech Republic. 'There are so many children in Castlebridge, but no playground. I have talked to a lot of parents, and everybody is complaining about the lack of a playground… I have always been a person to rise to challenges, and so I decided to look into it and think about it.' Lucie admits that as a result of her background she has a different perspective of what life can be like. The issue is not about the quality of playgrounds, but the quantity. 'In the Czech Republic, almost anywhere you live you have a playground within walking distance. 'That is absolutely not the case in Castlebridge. And for the nearly 2,000 people who live here, many young families, thanks to all of the new developments that have opened in the past couple of years it should be the case.' A cornerstone of the campaign is a comprehensive document created by Lucie, which she has submitted to public representatives. The document's primary proposal is that a playground should be opened at St. Ibar's Villas, on land owned by the county council. According to the campaign this location would provide a 'quiet and central setting' and 'on-street parking'. The potential for a playground in Castlebridge was identified in the council's Playground Strategy 2017 – 2022. Lucie praised the support the campaign has received from Cllr Robbie Staples. 'Robbie is really supportive. And I've also received positive replies from Cllr Leonard Kelly.' This location could be viable but will require further assessment. The number of people supporting the campaign is growing on a daily basis. For now, Lucie will have no option but continue to travel with her children to playgrounds in other parts of Wexford. 'We usually go to the playground at Ferrybank, or Redmond Park or Min Ryan. They are the three most popular for us. But we always have to drive, there is no option to walk.' Min Ryan Park was designed to improve the quality of life for people in Wexford and be a space which is attractive and accessible to the community. The park is named after Mary Josephine (Min) Ryan, a founding member of Cumann na mBan, who was at the GPO in 1916. Over five million euro was spent developing Min Ryan Park. The expectation of this campaign is not that landmark public spaces would be opened in every community, but that relatively basic and fundamental needs of rapidly growing populations are met.
The Irish Sun
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
X Factor star Lucie Jones' new man revealed as top restaurant director after split from husband
X FACTOR legend Lucie Jones' new man is a top restaurant director, The Sun can reveal. The West End star, 34, went public with her boyfriend, George Hersey, at Glastonbury this weekend. 6 Lucie Jones' new man is restaurant director George Hersey Credit: Instagram 6 The new couple spent the weekend together at Glastonbury Credit: Instagram 6 George got a selfie with Sam Ryder at the festival Credit: Instagram It comes just days after we revealed she had split from her husband of eight years Ethan Boroian. A source told us: "Lucie's absolutely glowing - it's lovely to see her so happy. Her new man's not in the spotlight and that's exactly what she needs. "She's had a hard year and it's nice to see her smiling and moving forward in a positive way. "He was at READ MORE ON LUCIE JONES The Sun has contacted a representative for Lucie for comment. George has shared a picture of him and Lucie holding hands on at Worthy Farm, writing: "The greatest place on earth and an insanely special week." While underneath a video clip of Lucie performing in Glastonbury's Astrolabe tent, George wrote: "You are the best of the best. Incredible [love heart eyes emoji]." Most read in Celebrity George oversees Michelin-starred chef Adam Handling's restaurant group which consists of five eateries including Frog in Covent Garden, London. His social media account shows a love for the great outdoors, fine food and hanging out with friends. Lucie Jones stuns Eurovision Song Contest fans with flawless entry for the United Kingdom A source previously told us how Lucie and ex Ethan's lives were "headed in different directions." But at one stage, Lucie, who previously represented the UK in Eurovision , was head over heels for him. Speaking about her ex, who works as the private client director for luxury brand Moët Hennessy , she said: "Ethan is everything I could ever have wanted in a man. I count my lucky stars I found him every single day. "As soon as I saw Ethan, looking so dashing in his blue wedding suit, I started to well up. "Then the male voice choir started to sing our song, God Only Knows, by The Beach Boys, and an overwhelming feeling of intense emotion came over me. "Suddenly, every precious memory of our time together came flooding back and I couldn't stop the tears. I felt so elated and knew that marrying him was the best thing I would ever do." Chicago-born Ethan added: "It was incredible seeing her in her wedding dress for the first time. I couldn't take my eyes off her." The pair reconnected after first meeting at boot camp during the filming of The X Factor 15 years ago, after which Lucie made it into the final 12. They stayed in touch when Ethan moved back to his native Chicago before going out on their first date five years later. 6 Lucie, pictured at the Pyramid Stage, performed in The Astrolabe tent Credit: Instagram 6 Lucie with ex-husband Ethan Credit: Getty 6 Top chef Adam Handling works closely with George Credit: BBC
Scottish Sun
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
X Factor star Lucie Jones' new man revealed as top restaurant director after split from husband
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) X FACTOR legend Lucie Jones' new man is a top restaurant director, The Sun can reveal. The West End star, 34, went public with her boyfriend, George Hersey, at Glastonbury this weekend. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 6 Lucie Jones' new man is restaurant director George Hersey Credit: Instagram 6 The new couple spent the weekend together at Glastonbury Credit: Instagram 6 George got a selfie with Sam Ryder at the festival Credit: Instagram It comes just days after we revealed she had split from her husband of eight years Ethan Boroian. A source told us: "Lucie's absolutely glowing - it's lovely to see her so happy. Her new man's not in the spotlight and that's exactly what she needs. "She's had a hard year and it's nice to see her smiling and moving forward in a positive way. "He was at Glastonbury to support her and it was clear for everyone to see, just how much they like each other." The Sun has contacted a representative for Lucie for comment. George has shared a picture of him and Lucie holding hands on at Worthy Farm, writing: "The greatest place on earth and an insanely special week." Lucie commented: "Yep! Yep yep yep." While underneath a video clip of Lucie performing in Glastonbury's Astrolabe tent, George wrote: "You are the best of the best. Incredible [love heart eyes emoji]." George oversees Michelin-starred chef Adam Handling's restaurant group which consists of five eateries including Frog in Covent Garden, London. His social media account shows a love for the great outdoors, fine food and hanging out with friends. Lucie Jones stuns Eurovision Song Contest fans with flawless entry for the United Kingdom A source previously told us how Lucie and ex Ethan's lives were "headed in different directions." But at one stage, Lucie, who previously represented the UK in Eurovision, was head over heels for him. Speaking about her ex, who works as the private client director for luxury brand Moët Hennessy, she said: "Ethan is everything I could ever have wanted in a man. I count my lucky stars I found him every single day. "As soon as I saw Ethan, looking so dashing in his blue wedding suit, I started to well up. "Then the male voice choir started to sing our song, God Only Knows, by The Beach Boys, and an overwhelming feeling of intense emotion came over me. "Suddenly, every precious memory of our time together came flooding back and I couldn't stop the tears. I felt so elated and knew that marrying him was the best thing I would ever do." Chicago-born Ethan added: "It was incredible seeing her in her wedding dress for the first time. I couldn't take my eyes off her." The pair reconnected after first meeting at boot camp during the filming of The X Factor 15 years ago, after which Lucie made it into the final 12. They stayed in touch when Ethan moved back to his native Chicago before going out on their first date five years later. 6 Lucie, pictured at the Pyramid Stage, performed in The Astrolabe tent Credit: Instagram 6 Lucie with ex-husband Ethan Credit: Getty
