Latest news with #ThorntonHeath
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Blood donation: Rare blood donors wanted to help sickle cell patients
"I wouldn't say it's quite like a superpower but I do think it's amazing that something that you just happened to be born with can help so many people."Speaking inside the busiest blood donation centre in Europe, Julia Gryn, from Thornton Heath in south London, has popped into donate after 27-year-old is just one of about 100 donors on the NHS Blood and Transplant's (NHSBT) Rare Donor Panel. Out of about 800,000 blood donors, those on the panel make up just 0.01%.Speaking at London's West End Donor Centre on Margaret Street, she said: "I think it's really, really amazing that I can actually help someone with a genetic disorder." She added: "It's crazy to think that a single blood donation can help to save up to three lives." Julia's blood is rare because she lacks several of the most common antigens across multiple blood group the 350 known antigens, her unique combination does not include the K, M, S, Fya and Jkb, all of which are frequently found in the general blood type is especially important for those with sickle cell, a genetic blood disorder whereby patients develop antibodies against several blood types making it harder to find matching blood. Julia, who has donated blood since she was a teenager, was invited to join the Rare Donor Panel in May 2020, early in the Covid pandemic. "At the time, I thought my blood was completely ordinary," she joining the panel, she said it felt different from her regular donations."It feels much more personal. I'm told when a specific patient needs a closely matched donation, and I book in around that. Knowing there's someone waiting who needs exactly what I can give makes the experience feel more direct and meaningful."She added: "During my first donation, one of the team members told me that in their seven years working there, I was the first rare blood donor they'd encountered. That really stuck with me."Blood donation is an amazing thing - most people can do it, and it makes such a big difference." Dr Chiara Vendramin, speciality doctor in donor medicine for the panel said donors like Julia were difficult to find."Julia is a very special donor. She has been amazing through the several years that she has been donating."Rare donors are very important and they play a crucial role in our organisation because they allow us to meet the really complex blood requirements that we have for specific patients."Most of the blood of these blood requirements are for those with sickle cell disease."As for Julia, what would her message be to those worried about donating?"I would say it's honestly not as scary as some people think."I do get some of my co-workers and friends asking 'how does it go, is the needle really big?' Honestly, you don't even pay attention to it, it goes so quickly."Everyone is always so kind and I would say it's a small thing that you can really do to help and save lives."
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Families living in up-and-coming London suburb where four-bedroom houses cost just £400k warn newcomers flocking to the area hoping for a deal about the MAJOR drawbacks
Locals in London 's most 'up-and-coming' suburb have warned newcomers of its risks, saying they are 'afraid to go out at night' due to high levels of crime and drunks 'lying on the streets'. Thornton Heath in south London is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after places to live in the capital due to low housing costs compared to the city's average. You can generally purchase a four bedroom home in the district, which lies in the Borough of Croydon, for anywhere between £400,000 and £500,000 - while being just a 30 minute commute away from the city centre. In comparison, most similarly sized houses closer to the heart of the capital will see prospective buyers cough up at least £1million in order to entertain discussions with its owners. But after it became the fastest-growing area for rent increases in London due to its relative affordability, many residents of Thornton Heath say the cheap price of housing comes with its downsides. Gerry Skinell has lived in Thornton Heath for 40 years and branded it a 's*** h***' - laying the blame at the behaviour of local youngsters. He told MailOnline: 'The biggest problem is the people themselves. It's a multinational area which is great but the young ones are making an a**e of it. 'They don't respect their elders, they think they're better than them and that's what is wrong. They're out of hand. You can generally purchase a four bedroom home in the district for anywhere between £400,000 and £500,000 'This used to be a brilliant place. The Jamaica Club used to be around the corner and many times we had a great night there. But they've closed nearly all the pubs down now.' Of the 13 pubs in Thornton Heath, many are situated around the nearby football stadium of Selhurst Park, home to last week's FA Cup winners Crystal Palace. And while that triumphant victory at Wembley has certainly given the area a lift - as pubs and fences are awash with red and blue bunting - the undercurrent of fear for women in the suburb will remain a problem when the party is over. NHS worker Teodora Balaban, 29, has lived in Thornton Heath for 10 years and says she is concerned about the lack of policing. She said: 'I wouldn't go out at night as a small woman after 8pm. The crime rate is high and I think it's because they're not investing in police in the area. 'It's changed a lot since I've been here and there's a lot of diversity which is alright as long as everyone pays their taxes like the rest of us.' For her elder, Eileen Riley, 75, who has lived in Thornton Heath with her husband since 1987, the same problem plagues the streets. She said: We don't like to come out at night. There's too many people lying around and drinking in the street. 'But because I've been here for so long, all the drinkers know me now. So in a way that's handy. 'I do believe it is going to get better. A lot of posh people from Brixton and the likes are moving here because the rental prices are cheaper. 'My neighbour's house went for £450,000 which in London is unbelievable. 'Thornton Heath will be good again and it's the same for Croydon. Once they do that up it will be posh again. 'My son lives in Thornton Heath and he'd prefer not to. He doesn't think it's safe for his children but he'll eventually move. 'My husband on the other hand won't budge from here. He tells me they'll have to take him out of here in a coffin. 'There's not a lot going on here, but we've got a Tesco, Poundland, Sainsbury's and the doctors down the road. And the thing is, the houses are cheap.' Ambassador House in Thornton Heath towers over the centre of the district, with many shops trading underneath The clocktower in Thornton Heath is another attraction in the district's centre With Rightmove data revealing Thornton Heath to be he fastest-growing area for rent increases in the city, local businesses say they are feeling the benefits. Simon Ford, 60, who has owned Kinsgbury Estate Agents for 32 years, believes it is one of the best times to be in the rental business. He told MailOnline: 'The major thing for us has been the price increases, which have shot up very quickly. 'In the last two years we've seen a huge increase. I think it's mainly because of people coming here to work in Mayday [Hospital]. 'The demand is good for us. It's great that prices are so high because we get extra commission as well, but it's tough for people. 'But I think we've got to a stage where rental prices are levelling. They don't seem to be going up anymore. 'We tried to push a couple up by £50 or £100 to see if we can get a bit more, but in truth I think it is levelling again. Mr Ford also said demographic of those in the area has changed a lot since he took ownership of the business. 'The area used to be predominantly white. It was an area where you had properly 70 or 80 per cent of the houses owner occupied. That's probably changed to 30 or 40 per cent maximum. 'But a lot of newcomers have mainly been Indian and Pakistani. There have been a lot of foreign workers coming with work visas so our clientele has changed over the years. 'Most of them seem to work locally. We do get some commuters to central London or places like Tooting, Streatham and Brixton.' Despite Thornton Heath having a crime rate of 167 offences per 1000 people, the 60-year-old also fought back against claims of crime being bad in the area, though he admitted he no longer lives in the suburb. 'You get trouble anywhere, it's London. I think it's better than it was around 10 years ago to be honest. 'Back then we had to get panic alarms installed on the doors because we used to get trouble by people who frankly should have been in mental institutions really. But you don't tend to get so much of that now.' The boom of newcomers in Thornton Heath has also benefitted its vast array of fresh food shops. Vallin Lloyd, 63, has worked in Cornfield Bakery for 19 years and says the constant influx of people in the area is what 'keeps them going'. He said: 'There's been a lot of changes since I've been here. Some of the businesses close down, new ones open and it's the same for people. 'We get new customers a lot, so everything keeps spinning and that's what keeps us going. 'I can't complain about living here. It's very nice and the people are friendly. I've never had any trouble personally.' The area, which ranges in its styles of housing, is notorious for its Victorian buildings such as St Paul's Church and St Alban's Anglican. Further afield, in the north of Thornton Heath, there is an area which local estate agents dubbed 'Americaland'. Its streets comprise of Maryland Road, Virginia Road, Florida Road and California Road and their properties fetch for closer to the £1million mark. Souzana Angelova, 45, who lives the shadows of 'Americaland', says she is in fear at the levels of knife crime in her daughter's school. She said: 'When I first moved here it was not good. But now I feel the community protects us. 'In England generally knives are a big problem and children always seem to be fighting. 'My daughter is 14 years old, and inside her school there are knives and vapes. I can't protect her when she's inside school. 'She's really smart and I tell her that she needs to avoid fights. But one day my husband was at home and received a call from the police that my daughter had been in a fight with a bigger girl. I had no idea what was happened, I was working. Mrs Angelova added that she sometimes hears people questioning her choice to live in Thornton Heath. She added: 'My son works at London Bridge and when he tells people where he lives they say 'wow, really?' but there are good people here. I believe that.'
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Brits are flocking to up-and-coming London suburb while it's still affordable
With a high concentration of Crystal Palace fans, this south London suburb is known for its Victorian architecture and as the birthplace of British grime artist Stormzy. But Thornton Heath is quickly garnering a new reputation as the go-to area for affordable housing in England's pricey capital. With its average house price of £396,996 compared to the London average of £686,817, eagle-eyed house buyers who caught the trend early may be in for a major windfall. That's because new data has revealed Thornton Heath to be the fastest-growing area for rent increases in the city. Pipping areas in London's affluent west, Rightmove statistics revealed the suburb has seen an increase of 14 per cent on rental prices compared to last year. It beat Harlesden in Brent, Greenford in Ealing, and Barnes in Richmond upon Thames, all of which seen increases of 12 per cent. Additionally, Biggin Hill in Bromley, Bayswater in Westminster, and East Finchley in Barnet each increased by 11 per cent. Property expert Sue Iluc told Metro that Thornton Heath was 'shedding its old image as a commuter hub' and is undergoing a major transformation. Situated in Zone 4 and around 10 miles from the city, the suburb borders the BRIT School which boasts a glittering alumni including Amy Winehouse, Tom Holland, and RAYE. Its Victorian buildings, seen in St Paul's Church and St Alban's Anglican, give the area a feel of history despite its high street being packed with takeaways. One social media poster who has lived in Thornton Heath for more nearly three decades says while the area is not 'polished', they understand the appeal for prospective house buyers. They said: 'Croydon Council have made efforts to invest in the area to make it more presentable. 'Many areas like Thornton Heath elsewhere in London have become gentrified over the past 20 years. I wouldn't say much has changed about [it] in my lifetime. The area is also a 10-minute drive from the notoriously large IKEA in Croydon - an ideal haunt for those moving into the area 'Thornton Heath has it's problems and definitely isn't polished or friendly but it isn't boring either - it is multicultural and bustling.' 'However this does make property cheaper in the area, and the area has potential to become more sought-after with its train links into London.' The area is also a 10-minute drive from the notoriously large IKEA in Croydon - an ideal haunt for those moving into the area - as well as BOXPARK, a food court which hosts movie screenings and live entertainment. For football fans, Selhurst Park - the home of FA Cup winners Crystal Palace - is within walking distance. And for central London workers, you can commute there in under 30 minutes. Just take the overground train from Thornton Heath station to London Victoria, and take it from there.
Daily Mail
07-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Interior designer, 38, hanged herself after becoming hooked on ketamine when her relationship broke up, inquest hears
A successful interior designer took her own life after becoming reliant on ketamine after her relationship broke up, an inquest heard. Emma Neame took the powerful tranquiliser and may have been hallucinating when she ended her life in the garden of her flat. She had been a talented interior designer for several businesses and then set up her own company, Emma Neame Interiors, in 2021. However a split with the father of her twins, mounting financial pressure and bulimia meant she had 'difficulty coping with the pressures of everyday life.' South London Coroner's Court in Croydon heard how Ms Neame, 38, had struggled with her mental health from the age of 17, with bouts of depression and anxiety. She had also tried to end her life twice before, the inquest heard. However at the end of 2022 she upped her intake of recreational drugs including ketamine, which lost her friends and left her feeling isolated. In April 2023 she and partner Simon Mortlock, father to twins born in 2012, separated and she moved to a flat in Thornton Heath, south London, which she found difficult. Assistant coroner Laura Stephenson read from statements from family members including one from Miss Neame's mum Marina Neame saying: 'She had difficulty with finances and she had reluctantly moved to Thornton Heath. 'She was co-parenting and felt lonely at times. 'I was aware that Emma took recreational drugs and as of the end of 2022 she had been using drugs more. 'She had explained that she had given up on her relationship with her former partner and she was using drugs more to deal with her loneliness and depression, and her relationship had broken down with friends. 'She wanted to return home to Kent but it was difficult because of the situation with her children.' Miss Neame attended Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School in Canterbury and trained in interior design at Kensington and Chelsea College. She had been suffering from bulimia for three years and had started attending an eating disorders clinic, the court heard. She took herself to a drug walk in clinic to try and get help for her substance abuse problems. Miss Neame then visited her mother in France in February 2024 and she said she felt things were looking up. Her mother said: 'When we had seen her in France she left positive and grateful. 'She was a successful interior designer and she was extremely proud of her children, a loving mother. 'She was an intelligent, beautiful young woman who we were very proud of.' On March 12, 2024, the pair spoke on the phone and Miss Neame said she was feeling unwell with a sore throat and temperature. 'She was looking forward to starting her latest design project,' she added. Miss Neame's maternal grandmother also gave a statement to the court. Mary Towndrow said: 'She suffered from anxiety and bulimia. 'She had recreationally used drugs which had developed into a ketamine reliance or addiction. 'She had high levels of stress and she had difficulty coping with the pressures of daily life.' Miss Neame had stayed with her the week before she died. Ms Towndrow added: 'Her physical health was deteriorating. She had problems with her bladder and bowel which were causing her pain. 'Her interior design business was running into difficulty in terms of debt. She was overwhelmed.' Her former partner, Simon Mortlock, said he had known Miss Neame for 18 years. He said he had spoken to her by phone with the last call at around 5pm on March 12, 2024. The following morning he tried to reach her by phone but there was no answer, so he went to her home at about midday. The door was open and he saw drugs on the side of the kitchen counter, but couldn't see Miss Neame. He thought she may have gone to A&E so went to local hospitals but they had no record of her. When he returned to the property he saw Miss Neame having hung herself in the garden. He attempted CPR but she was already dead. His statement said: 'She appeared to be taking more recreational drugs. 'She had become isolated and it appeared to be linked to her drug use. 'I did not see this coming at the time.' The court heard how Miss Neame had made two previous attempts on her life in 2008 or 2009 and January 2023, but both were thought to be cries for help. During the most recent in January 2023 she took alcohol, cocaine and then an overdose, but felt immediately regretful and called an ambulance, with a friend saying: 'She really scared herself.' However she had been referred to South London and Maudsley mental health services and was engaging with them, having had a consultation in May 2023. A toxicology report found she had drunk alcohol and taken ketamine and cocaine prior to her death. She also had Alprazolam, more commonly known as Xanax, in her system, which is prescribed to treat anxiety. Ketamine has been used to treat depression and anxiety but it is not a licensed treatment the effects of taking it long term are unknown. Some of those who have undergone managed ketamine treatment have suffered worsening depression and suicidal thoughts and it is also known to cause bladder damage in those who take it illegally. Common symptoms are lower abdominal pain, pain passing urine, and needing to pass urine more often. Summing up, assistant coroner Ms Stephenson recorded a narrative verdict. She said she wasn't confident recording a verdict of suicide because Miss Neame's intentions weren't clear - there was no note and after previous overdoses she had immediately regretted her actions. She also said ketamine could have hallucinogenic effects with others having been accidentally strangled or suspended after having taken the drug. She said: 'She was a creative person, a talented interior designer and it has been a privilege to read these statements. 'Emma did have a difficult time with substance use, including ketamine and cocaine. 'Emma had shared that she had been taking ketamine and also using Xanax to cope with her issues, in particular her loneliness at that time, but her mother said she left feeling more positive about her future and she was speaking to a drug team. 'I find it is likely that the substances I have referred to, particularly ketamine, would have significantly impaired her thinking and I'm not satisfied Emma wanted to take her own life at that time. 'She died by suspension at a time when she was experiencing the effects of ketamine and cocaine.'
The Sun
07-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Interior designer, 38, 'took own life after using ketamine to help with anxiety'
TRAGIC LOSS Mum had split with her partner and was struggling to cope, court told Holly Christodoulou , Digital Court Editor Published : 10:45, 7 May 2025 Updated : 10:46, 7 May 2025 A TALENTED interior designer took her own life in the garden after using ketamine to help cope with her anxiety, an inquest heard. Emma Neame, 38, may have been hallucinating at the time of the tragedy in Thornton Heath, South London. 5 Emma Neame was found dead in her back garden Credit: Instagram/Emma Neame The interior designer had split with the father of her twins and was suffering with mounting financial pressure and bulimia. South London Coroner's Court heard Emma had also struggled with her mental health from the age of 17. At the end of 2022, the mum upped her intake of recreational drugs including ketamine, which lost her friends and left her feeling isolated. But she had attended a drug walk in clinic to try and get help for her substance abuse problems. Her mum Marina Neame said: 'She had difficulty with finances and she had reluctantly moved to Thornton Heath. 'She was co-parenting and felt lonely at times. 'I was aware that Emma took recreational drugs and as of the end of 2022 she had been using drugs more. 'She had explained that she had given up on her relationship with her former partner and she was using drugs more to deal with her loneliness and depression , and her relationship had broken down with friends. 'She wanted to return home to Kent but it was difficult because of the situation with her children.' The inquest was told Emma had previously attempted to take her own life - including in January 2023 when she took alcohol and cocaine. She had phoned an ambulance for herself and was referred to South London and Maudsley mental health services. The court heard in February 2024, Emma visited her mum in France and said things were looking up. But the following month, the designer spoke to Marina on the phone complaining of a sore throat and temperature. In the week before she died, Emma had stayed with her grandmother, Mary Towndrow, who said her physical health was "deteriorating". She said: "She had problems with her bladder and bowel which were causing her pain. 'Her interior design business was running into difficulty in terms of debt. 'She was overwhelmed.' The court heard on March 12, 2024, Emma spoke with her former partner Simon Mortlock. When he tried to phone her the following morning and received no response, Simon went to her home. Emma's door was open and there were drugs on the side of the kitchen counter. Simon discovered the mum in the garden and attempted CPR but she was already dead. Her cause of death was given as suspension, with a toxicology report finding Emma had drunk alcohol and taken ketamine and cocaine prior to her death. She also had a medication in her system that is often prescribed to treat anxiety. Assistant coroner Laura Stephenson said she would not record a verdict of suicide as Emma's intentions were not clear. She instead ruled a narrative verdict and said ketamine can cause hallucinogenic effects. The coroner added: "Emma had shared that she had been taking ketamine and [medication] to cope with her issues, in particular her loneliness at that time, but her mother said she left feeling more positive about her future and she was speaking to a drug team. 'I find it is likely that the substances I have referred to, particularly ketamine, would have significantly impaired her thinking and I'm not satisfied Emma wanted to take her own life at that time. 'She died by suspension at a time when she was experiencing the effects of ketamine and cocaine.' If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123. 5 Emma had been struggling to cope after splitting with the dad of her children Credit: Instagram/Emma Neame 5 The interior designer had used drugs to help with her anxiety Credit: Facebook/Emma Neame 5 Emma ran her own successful interior design company Credit: Instagram/Emma Neame 5 The mum had attended a drug walk in clinic to try to get help Credit: Instagram/Emma Neame
