Latest news with #TreeofHope
The Citizen
05-08-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Community members stitch hope for Edenvale's children in need
Community members stitch hope for Edenvale's children in need Community members and the local business Lavender and Time recently joined forces to spread warmth this winter by crocheting items for two Edenvale charity organisations. Seven blankets were lovingly crocheted for Child Welfare South Africa in Edenvale and Bedfordview, while baby beanies and baby grows were made for children abandoned at Edenvale-based Tree of Hope. The donations were handed over to Michelle dos Santos, Ward 18 committee member responsible for the women and children portfolio, who delivered the items to the respective charities. ALSO READ: Child Welfare Edenvale to hold 74th AGM on August 15 Diane Gomes, who teaches smock making, garment construction and crocheting at Lavender and Time and who was involved in the project, explained that several women who regularly meet at the store wanted to do something special for the community this Mandela Month. Diane said store owner Heather Lawlor selected the charities, and the women began working on the projects in June. Highlighting the many hours and effort involved in handmade blankets and clothing, Diane said the group wanted to give back to reputable organisations. ALSO READ: How to collect your SASSA disability grant immediately She emphasised the importance of supporting charities that work with children, saying that focusing on grassroots levels is vital. 'If we want to have functioning adults in society, we need to focus on assisting children in need,' she said.
Irish Independent
24-07-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
‘You don't have to be in crisis to call', says Dublin Samaritans volunteer
'I won't lie, it was daunting,' she said. 'But once I got into it, I felt prepared. The training is just phenomenal. You're never left to do it alone.' Sharon, who works as an HR Generalist with DHL Express, only became a volunteer at the end of last year. But already, it's changed the shape of her life. 'I'd always seen myself as a caring person, but after I took part in a 'Learn to Listen' workshop through work, something clicked. 'I just thought, this is what I want to do. Within a week, I'd signed up to volunteer.' Now, she gives three hours a week to the service, plus a night shift every couple of months. 'It just fits in. I schedule it in like anything else. Honestly, every time I finish a shift, I walk out with a sense of warmth. Like yeah, I did something that mattered today.' Today marks the charity's annual 24/7 Awareness Day, and Sharon helped coordinate something bigger: the delivery of 24 native Irish trees to all Samaritans branches across Ireland, north and south. The Tree of Hope project, a collaboration between Samaritans, Coillte and DHL Express, sees native Irish trees delivered to each of the 24 Samaritans branches as a gesture of unity and resilience. 'Nobody plants a tree without hope,' said Mary McMahon, Volunteer Director of Dublin Samaritans. 'It's a powerful reminder that no matter what's happening, life can grow from even the hardest ground.' This is the first time all 24 branches have come together in a single nationwide initiative. The trees were delivered in time for July 24, a date chosen to reflect the service's commitment to being available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. 'We're literally delivering hope,' Sharon said. 'That's what these trees represent. 'It's all connected – our 24-hour delivery network, Samaritans' 24-hour helpline, and our shared value of being there for people, no matter what.' Last year, 470,000 calls were answered by Samaritans volunteers across Ireland, up from 400,000 the year before. That's an average of 1,500 calls every single day. More than 6,800 calls in 2024 were diverted to 116 123 when other organisations were shut, underlining the 24/7 support the service provides. 'Strong emotions don't clock off at 5pm,' Ms McMahon said. 'We get calls at every hour, from people in distress, people who are worried about someone else, or just people who need to feel heard. We're here. Always.' To mark 24/7 Awareness Day in the capital, Dublin Samaritans presented a native Irish tree to the Deputy Lord Mayor, councillor John Stephens, at the Mansion House. The tree was then planted in St Stephen's Green, where it will remain as a public reminder of connection and support. If you're looking for support, the Samaritans can be contacted by email jo@ or call 116123
STV News
02-06-2025
- Health
- STV News
Five-year-old with rare brain tumour raising funds for bespoke tricycle
The family of a toddler from Glasgow diagnosed with a rare brain tumour is raising funds for a tricycle and continued medical support. River Menzies-Staff, five, was like 'any other baby' for the first two years of her life, until, at 21 months old, she started vomiting every morning. Her mother, Katie Staff, 36, and sister, 18-year-old Paige, were told it was a viral illness and were given medical advice over the phone due to the Covid pandemic. However, in September 2021, River was unable to walk and was rushed to A&E, where she was diagnosed with an ependymoma brain tumour and given a 30% chance of survival. During her first brain operation, River suffered a stroke and fell into a two-week coma. Her vocal cords collapsed, and she underwent a tracheostomy, which she still has in place today. Despite another surgery, some of the tumour remains, and the toddler can no longer walk, talk, or eat, and has reduced hearing and vision. Her family is fundraising for a bespoke trike to allow River to get out and about more and for additional physiotherapy. Ms Staff said: 'Despite two major brain surgeries, some of the tumour remains as it was too risky to remove completely. River then endured intensive chemotherapy, spending months in the hospital due to severe complications. This was followed by six weeks of radiotherapy. 'Today, River faces many challenges. She can no longer walk, talk, or eat and is tube-fed. She has reduced hearing and vision on her left side, along with osteoporosis from chemotherapy and scoliosis caused by muscle weakness. 'When she was first diagnosed, we were given just a 30% survival rate — but River is a true fighter. 'We are raising funds to support River's ongoing care, therapy, and medical needs. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a difference in her journey.' Ms Staff has said that while River's future is 'uncertain' she just wants her daughter to live the best life possible. She added: 'The physiotherapy makes a huge difference to her, she can now take a few steps between furniture which is a huge improvement on what she was able to do before. 'In spite of her issue she is a happy little girl who loves to watch TV, play outside and spend time with other people. Her future is uncertain but like any mother, I just want the best for her and every penny received to help her live her best life possible is hugely appreciated.' The family is supported by the children's charity Tree of Hope, which helps families raise money for children and young people like River for medical treatments and healthcare services that are not freely available to them through the NHS and social care. Tree of Hope CEO Becky Andrew said: 'We wish River and her family all the best with their fundraising activities. We are pleased to be supporting them to give them the support in reaching their fundraising goals.' You can donate to River's fund here. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
02-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Scots tot who was told illness was 'virus' diagnosed with brain tumour
River Menzies-Staff was just 21 months old when she lost the ability to walk. A Scots mum was repeatedly told her baby daughter had a viral illness, only to later discover she had a brain tumour. Little River Menzies-Staff was just 21 months old when she began vomiting every morning. However, due to Covid restrictions at the time, worried mum Katie Staff, 36, was only able to speak with doctors over the phone. Katie, who lives in Barrhead was reassured on several occasions that River was likely suffering no more than a viral illness. But her world came crashing down on September 21, 2021, when her baby suddenly lost the ability to walk. She was rushed to A&E and doctors soon diagnosed River with an ependymoma brain tumour. River spent the next seven months in hospital, where she suffered a stroke during her first brain operation, fell into a two-week coma and had to undergo a tracheostomy which she still has in place today. Mum Katie, who also has a daughter Paige, 18, said: "Despite two major brain surgeries, some of the tumour remains as it was too risky to remove completely. River then endured intensive chemotherapy, spending months in the hospital due to severe complications. This was followed by six weeks of radiotherapy. "Today, River faces many challenges. She can no longer walk, talk, or eat and is tube-fed. She has reduced hearing and vision on her left side, along with osteoporosis from chemotherapy and scoliosis caused by muscle weakness. When she was first diagnosed, we were given just a 30% survival rate—but River is a true fighter." The family is now fundraising for a bespoke trike to allow River to get out and about more, and additional physiotherapy. Katie said: "We are raising funds to support River's ongoing care, therapy, and medical needs. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a difference in her journey." Katie added: "The physiotherapy makes a huge difference to her, she can now take a few steps between furniture which is a huge improvement on what she was able to do before.' "In spite of her issue she is a happy little girl who loves to watch TV, play outside and spend time with other people. Her future is uncertain but like any mother, I just want the best for her and every penny received to help her live her best life possible is hugely appreciated." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! River's family is being supported by children's charity Tree of Hope, which helps families raise vital funds for medical treatments and healthcare services not freely available to them through the NHS and social care. Tree of Hope CEO Becky Andrew said: "We wish River and her family all the best with their fundraising activities. We are pleased to be supporting them to give them the support in reaching their fundraising goals."
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
11 Investigates EXCLUSIVE: Residents claim living conditions aren't much better than being on street
11 Investigates spoke exclusively to residents who live at the Wood Street Common on 3rd Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh. They are speaking out for the first time about living conditions at the apartment building downtown that provides low-income and transitional housing for the homeless. 'Paint is bubbling off the walls, my ceiling, you know what I mean, water, is water damage,' said Dewayne Young, who's been in the apartments for two years. Young and Andrew Huntley both described living conditions at the Wood Street Commons. 'Cockroaches, bed bugs, mold, loud music,' said Huntley, who moved in earlier this year. It's a subsidized apartment building with 260 units. 'There's mold. Oh yeah, oh definitely, it's filthy,' said Young. 'There's literally a bed bug on my hoodie right there. I've been seeing bed bugs and cock roaches crawling all over my stuff,' said Huntley, who showed 11 Investigates videos he took while in his apartment. Residents also sent pictures from inside the building. In those pictures, there's water damage to ceiling tiles, ceiling tiles that have been removed and wires exposed, and what appears to be mold on pipes, holes in the walls, dirty and broken floor tiles and bathroom residents said out of order for months. Earle: Did you expect better conditions? Did you expect more from this place? Dwayne Young: I mean, Yeah, Yeah, I did because like I figured if you're going there and you're paying rent, you know what I mean, it should be. Young and Huntley, who both rely on federal assistance, moved here from the Light of Life Mission. Young pays $325.00 per month in rent. Huntley pays $415.00 a month. 'They know he doesn't have any money, so they're forcing him to get disability and when he gets disability, they take his check,' said Adrienne Young, Huntley's cousin. Adrienne Young, who founded Tree of Hope, a nonprofit that works with families impacted by gun violence, is Dwayne Young's cousin. 'It's outrageous, unacceptable, deplorable conditions, inhumane conditions,' said Adrienne Young. Earle: Have you seen the drug dealing in there? Huntley: Oh yeah. Earle: There's drug dealing inside the building? Huntley: Ooh yeah. One picture sent to 11 Investigates shows the overdose drug Narcan on a shelf in a hallway. Residents said there's one on every floor. Several years ago, 11 Investigates told you about a resident who overdosed and died, but wasn't found until days later. PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Family angry after loved one dies & body not found for days in downtown shelter And according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office, six people have died here of drug overdoses during the past five years. 'It's horrible. It really is, it's really horrible,' said Dwayne Young. 'This place is not only dangerous, it's unlivable and we need to do something about it soon,' said Adrienne Young. 11 Investigates reached out to the Allegheny County Department of Human Services for a response. 'For the DHS/CHS-funded units, DHS conducts on-site monitoring and housing quality standards inspections to ensure that units meet HUD habitability standards. Our staff have heard some complaints occasionally, and when we hear of these concerns, we share them with the property owner. Our experience has been that the property manager has resolved these concerns appropriately. Generally, DHS receives complaints from recipients of our services through the DHS Director's Action Line; DHS has only received sporadic and infrequent complaints about Wood Street Commons related to building concerns and there has not been an increase in complaints recently. If people are experiencing issues in any DHS program, including the CHS-operated units, we encourage them to reach out to our Director's Action Line at 1-800-862-6783. It is our understanding that the Housing Authority for the City of Pittsburgh inspects units where a voucher is being used.' 11 Investigates went through the city inspection reports for that building, but didn't find anything remarkable. Since our interview, Dwayne Young has moved out and into another apartment. Andrew Huntley said he is planning on moving as well. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
