Latest news with #RacheldeThame


Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
BBC Gardeners' World star had 'to-do list' as she opens up on battle with devastating illness
Gardeners' World star Rachel de Thame was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, and said that it had a knock-on effect to her life and left her feeling "shaken" Gardeners' World presenter Rachel de Thame has opened up about her "desperate" to-do list following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2018, revealing how the news sent "shockwaves" through her life. Penning her thoughts for The Times at the time, Rachel shared: "While one is grateful to have options, treatment is no walk in the park. Strangely, though, I've also found that there are compensations. Top of the list is a renewed, almost desperate desire to get on with some of the things that for too long have lingered on a mental to-do list." The beloved BBC personality reflected on the impact of her health scare, stating: "When you've felt rocked to your foundations, the only sensible thing is to get on with living." With a newfound outlook, Rachel admitted she's now viewing life through a different lens, with ambitions to transform her garden into a sanctuary for herself and others. She elaborated on her aspirations: "On a more immediate and personal level, I'm focusing on next spring and how I want my garden to look and, above all, make me feel." Fortunately, Rachel's condition was detected early, prompting her to take time off from Gardeners' World as she embarked on her treatment journey. Speaking to the BBC during this period, she conveyed optimism: "I'm doing well and coming towards the end of it. It's caught early so that's all very positive, so on the whole it's better not to be working too much just now," reports the Express. Thankfully, she made a complete recovery and has since extolled the virtues of gardening for its role in her physical and mental well-being during that tough time. At the Chelsea Flower Show, Rachel expressed: "I know there's a big message this year at Chelsea about the importance of gardening for your general health and mental health, if you're going through some chronic illness, whatever it is, it's vital to go out and be in a garden." In one of the most recent episodes of Gardeners' World, fans were left in tears after expert Steve opened up about his terminal diagnosis. He shared: "Very recently, I had been diagnosed with a terminal cancer, and I don't know how long I might live. It could be two months or two years, possibly. "I didn't feel down as a result of it, I just saw it as another challenge, I'm going to have to sort something out for this. "And actually, I have had a big, creative burst, I think, as a result of that positive attitude, and I am getting there. I am finding ways in which Pippa and our son, between them, will be able to manage this whole process once I've gone."


The Independent
6 days ago
- The Independent
The surprising link between gardening and financial fraud
A new campaign, "Protect Your Patch", has been launched to encourage people over 65 to use their gardening instincts to combat financial fraud. The initiative, a partnership between Take Five to Stop Fraud, Rachel de Thame from BBC Gardeners' World, and the National Allotment Society, aims to promote seeking trusted advice. Research indicates that while many older people consult family and friends for gardening tips, far fewer seek similar advice regarding financial fraud. Rachel de Thame urged individuals to apply the same care to protecting their finances as they do to nurturing their allotments, likening fraudsters to "invasive species". Timed with National Allotments Week, the campaign stresses the importance of getting a second opinion from trusted sources to safeguard money from scams.


South Wales Guardian
6 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Rachel de Thame urges people to take same care with finances as with gardens
Take Five to Stop Fraud has partnered with BBC Gardeners' World's Rachel de Thame and the National Allotment Society to launch a new awareness drive called 'protect your patch'. Ms de Thame said: 'We can't bury our head in the soil when it comes to being educated and informed about the latest tricks that fraudsters will try and use to commit crimes against us. 'I'd like to encourage everyone to apply the same level of care and attention to protecting their finances and savings, as they would to nurturing their allotments. 'Fraudsters are an invasive species, which have no place infiltrating our finances. 'So let's stay informed about what we need to do to keep them out of our carefully nurtured and highly prized patches.' Research commissioned by Take Five among 1,000 people across the UK aged 65-plus found that 94% have either a garden or allotment. Three in 10 (29%) older people would go to family and friends for gardening tips but only one in 10 (10%) would ask them for tips on financial fraud, according to the survey carried out by Censuswide in July. Those behind the campaign said the same instincts – asking questions and talking the situation through with people you trust – can make a real difference when spotting and stopping fraud. When asked what gives them the biggest sense of pride in life generally, joy in raising a family and experiencing the joy of grandchildren topped the charts at 48%, with remaining physically healthy coming in second (31%). A quarter (25%) of older people also expressed pride in the strong and long-lasting friendships they had formed. When asked about what they feel most proud of financially, more than half (57%) said financial independence gives them a strong sense of pride. Catriona Still, a spokeswoman for Take Five to Stop Fraud, said: 'Like weeds in a garden, fraud can take root unexpectedly and catch you off guard. 'We're seeing people turn to friends, family and their community for gardening advice and by leaning on those trusted voices, it can also help you stay safe from fraud by talking to someone about requests out of the blue. 'By getting a second opinion from someone you know and taking a moment to stop and challenge anything that doesn't feel right, you can protect your patch and keep your money safe. 'Criminals are getting more sophisticated and the impact of fraud can often be devastating, both emotionally and financially, so it's important to follow the advice of the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign.' Mike Farrell, chairman of the National Allotment Society, said: 'I'm delighted that the National Allotment Society has teamed up with Take Five to Stop Fraud for this year's National Allotments Week. 'Allotments play a vital role in supporting people's mental, physical, and nutritional wellbeing and protecting financial wellbeing is an important part of that. 'By helping our members and the wider growing community stay informed and alert to the risks of fraud, we're not only safeguarding individuals but also strengthening the sense of trust and resilience within our allotment sites.' Coinciding with National Allotments Week (August 11 to 17), Take Five is reminding people to: – Stop – take a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information. It could keep you safe. – Challenge – It is OK to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you. – Protect – Contact your bank immediately if you think you have been scammed and report it to Action Fraud.

Leader Live
6 days ago
- Business
- Leader Live
Rachel de Thame urges people to take same care with finances as with gardens
Take Five to Stop Fraud has partnered with BBC Gardeners' World's Rachel de Thame and the National Allotment Society to launch a new awareness drive called 'protect your patch'. Ms de Thame said: 'We can't bury our head in the soil when it comes to being educated and informed about the latest tricks that fraudsters will try and use to commit crimes against us. 'I'd like to encourage everyone to apply the same level of care and attention to protecting their finances and savings, as they would to nurturing their allotments. 'Fraudsters are an invasive species, which have no place infiltrating our finances. 'So let's stay informed about what we need to do to keep them out of our carefully nurtured and highly prized patches.' Research commissioned by Take Five among 1,000 people across the UK aged 65-plus found that 94% have either a garden or allotment. Three in 10 (29%) older people would go to family and friends for gardening tips but only one in 10 (10%) would ask them for tips on financial fraud, according to the survey carried out by Censuswide in July. Those behind the campaign said the same instincts – asking questions and talking the situation through with people you trust – can make a real difference when spotting and stopping fraud. When asked what gives them the biggest sense of pride in life generally, joy in raising a family and experiencing the joy of grandchildren topped the charts at 48%, with remaining physically healthy coming in second (31%). A quarter (25%) of older people also expressed pride in the strong and long-lasting friendships they had formed. When asked about what they feel most proud of financially, more than half (57%) said financial independence gives them a strong sense of pride. Catriona Still, a spokeswoman for Take Five to Stop Fraud, said: 'Like weeds in a garden, fraud can take root unexpectedly and catch you off guard. 'We're seeing people turn to friends, family and their community for gardening advice and by leaning on those trusted voices, it can also help you stay safe from fraud by talking to someone about requests out of the blue. 'By getting a second opinion from someone you know and taking a moment to stop and challenge anything that doesn't feel right, you can protect your patch and keep your money safe. 'Criminals are getting more sophisticated and the impact of fraud can often be devastating, both emotionally and financially, so it's important to follow the advice of the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign.' Mike Farrell, chairman of the National Allotment Society, said: 'I'm delighted that the National Allotment Society has teamed up with Take Five to Stop Fraud for this year's National Allotments Week. 'Allotments play a vital role in supporting people's mental, physical, and nutritional wellbeing and protecting financial wellbeing is an important part of that. 'By helping our members and the wider growing community stay informed and alert to the risks of fraud, we're not only safeguarding individuals but also strengthening the sense of trust and resilience within our allotment sites.' Coinciding with National Allotments Week (August 11 to 17), Take Five is reminding people to: – Stop – take a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information. It could keep you safe. – Challenge – It is OK to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you. – Protect – Contact your bank immediately if you think you have been scammed and report it to Action Fraud.


The Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Rachel de Thame urges people to take same care with finances as with gardens
Green-fingered grandparents are being urged to apply the same habits they rely on when gardening, such as sharing local knowledge and advice, to helping to protect themselves against financial fraud. Take Five to Stop Fraud has partnered with BBC Gardeners' World's Rachel de Thame and the National Allotment Society to launch a new awareness drive called 'protect your patch'. Ms de Thame said: 'We can't bury our head in the soil when it comes to being educated and informed about the latest tricks that fraudsters will try and use to commit crimes against us. 'I'd like to encourage everyone to apply the same level of care and attention to protecting their finances and savings, as they would to nurturing their allotments. 'Fraudsters are an invasive species, which have no place infiltrating our finances. 'So let's stay informed about what we need to do to keep them out of our carefully nurtured and highly prized patches.' Research commissioned by Take Five among 1,000 people across the UK aged 65-plus found that 94% have either a garden or allotment. Three in 10 (29%) older people would go to family and friends for gardening tips but only one in 10 (10%) would ask them for tips on financial fraud, according to the survey carried out by Censuswide in July. Those behind the campaign said the same instincts – asking questions and talking the situation through with people you trust – can make a real difference when spotting and stopping fraud. When asked what gives them the biggest sense of pride in life generally, joy in raising a family and experiencing the joy of grandchildren topped the charts at 48%, with remaining physically healthy coming in second (31%). A quarter (25%) of older people also expressed pride in the strong and long-lasting friendships they had formed. When asked about what they feel most proud of financially, more than half (57%) said financial independence gives them a strong sense of pride. Catriona Still, a spokeswoman for Take Five to Stop Fraud, said: 'Like weeds in a garden, fraud can take root unexpectedly and catch you off guard. 'We're seeing people turn to friends, family and their community for gardening advice and by leaning on those trusted voices, it can also help you stay safe from fraud by talking to someone about requests out of the blue. 'By getting a second opinion from someone you know and taking a moment to stop and challenge anything that doesn't feel right, you can protect your patch and keep your money safe. 'Criminals are getting more sophisticated and the impact of fraud can often be devastating, both emotionally and financially, so it's important to follow the advice of the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign.' Mike Farrell, chairman of the National Allotment Society, said: 'I'm delighted that the National Allotment Society has teamed up with Take Five to Stop Fraud for this year's National Allotments Week. 'Allotments play a vital role in supporting people's mental, physical, and nutritional wellbeing and protecting financial wellbeing is an important part of that. 'By helping our members and the wider growing community stay informed and alert to the risks of fraud, we're not only safeguarding individuals but also strengthening the sense of trust and resilience within our allotment sites.' Coinciding with National Allotments Week (August 11 to 17), Take Five is reminding people to: – Stop – take a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information. It could keep you safe. – Challenge – It is OK to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you. – Protect – Contact your bank immediately if you think you have been scammed and report it to Action Fraud.