Responding to the report in today’s Guardian that the Government is planning to introduce standard packaging for tobacco products, Deborah Arnott Chief Executive of health charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) said:

“The study just published in the Lancet is crystal clear. Smoking remains the major preventable cause of premature death and is the primary reason why the health of our nation is lagging behind that of other developed countries. The government is to be congratulated for being first in Europe to commit to getting rid of the brightly coloured packs designed to attract children and young people to replace the 100,000 smokers who die each year. This is both justified by the evidence and is popular with the public.”

Press Release from Ash

Susan Tanner, a dedicated member of the Alzheimer’s Society North Wiltshire fundraising group, held a successful craft sale event in her home in November 2012 and donated the proceeds.

John Doughty, 59, is a regular volunteer fundraiser from Charvil near Reading, and is competing in the Reading Half Marathon this March in order to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society.

John is a regular runner but what makes this occasion unique is that he will be running with his son, Chris, 25, for the first time in an organised event.

John said,

‘Given our age difference, I will only see Chris’ heels disappearing into the distance after the start and I’ll be moving at the speed of a tortoise.’

We’re not so sure about that! If you would like to make a donation and encourage them in their ‘friendly family competition’, John and Chris have set up a Virgin Giving site to collect sponsorship. Good luck boys!

If you’d like to run for Alzheimer’s Society then visit our website for more information. If you’re interested in fundraising in your local community then contact Ellie Hughes, Community Fundraiser, on 07850 200534 or ellie.hughes@alzheimers.org.uk.

Press Release from Alzheimer’s Society

Care UK’s unique range of eating disorder services has been further strengthened this month with the appointment of a highly distinguished consultant to its specialist services team.

Professor Bryan Lask has been appointed into a newly created role as Care UK’s medical director for eating disorders and other specialist services.  Professor Lask is renowned both nationally and internationally for his expertise in the field of eating disorders – particularly for his highly regarded research into the causes of this much misunderstood disease. He is past-president of the Eating Disorders Research Society and recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the Academy for Eating Disorders.

Prof Lask will be overseeing Care UK’s north London child and adolescent eating disorder service at Rhodes Farm and  will also take the lead on clinical matters across all the Care UK specialist services in Gloucestershire. These include community residential services for young people and adults who have suffered from an eating disorder for a number of years and for whom hospital treatment has not resulted in sustained recovery.  It also has a separate service for young people who display behaviours that put them at risk, including self injury.

The role with Care UK will also allow Professor Lask to continue his ground breaking research into eating disorders at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. This research has covered all aspects of eating disorders in the younger population. One of the major breakthroughs has been the discovery of a specific brain abnormality that plays a major part in the development of anorexia nervosa. Care UK will sponsor this ground breaking research.

Care UK is one of the leading providers of treatment for people with acute, severe and enduring eating disorders. Many of the people treated in the two Gloucestershire-based services arrive at the centres after a number of hospital admissions but they have continued to relapse resulting in serious, potentially long term harm to their health. Care UK’s unique therapeutic model at these services places emphasis on addressing the psychological and social issues that are behind the eating disorder as much as focusing on weight restoration and management and it is this approach which has attracted Professor Lask to join Care UK.

Professor Lask said:  “This treatment programme devised by Care UK allows people to build an identity distinct from their eating disorder and start to plan for the future; often for the first time. This innovative approach is key to the excellent success rates that I know are achieved. I’m confident that, with our increasing understanding of the neuroscience of eating disorders, we can continue to refine and enhance this service – particularly in the most challenging areas where, for example, a patient may present with other conditions such as self harm or obsessive behaviours.”

The north London eating disorder service, Rhodes Farm, treats young people from six  to 19 years old –  offering in-patient, out-patient and day programmes. As well as treating the eating disorder, the team at Rhodes Farm also supports parents and ensures that patients are able to keep up with their school or college work during their recovery. There is an educational programme that mirrors the child’s own stage at mainstream school with two fully equipped classrooms and an examination centre offering all major school examinations and qualifications.

Professor Lask will work closely with Care UK’s existing team of therapists, psychologists, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, nurses and therapeutic care workers to ensure that all three eating disorders services in Gloucester and north London continuously evolve and improve to meet the growing need of this often misunderstood condition.

Professor Lask continued: “There is still much to learn about the causes and treatment of eating disorders. I’m confident that I will be able to bring my latest research and experience to what I know to be a highly successful front line service so that, together, we can remain at the cutting edge of treatment for severe and acute cases of these highly problematic illnesses.”

Managing director of Care UK’s mental health services, Dr Alison Rose-Quirie said: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome Bryan to Care UK. Together with the rest of my talented and experienced team I am sure that we will be able to offer some of the finest, most successful eating disorder services in Europe to help sufferers and their families to find a route to a happier, healthier future.”

Press Release from Care UK

Smokefree Action Coalition News Release

This Valentine’s day the Smokefree Action Coalition [1] is calling on the Government to take action and “have a heart” by committing to legislation to make all tobacco packaging standard.  Today is the tenth anniversary of the implementation of the ban on tobacco advertising and the seventh anniversary of the Commons vote for smokefree legislation.  Valentine’s Day is therefore an ideal date for the Government to make its decision known.

The clock is ticking. Since the consultation on the legislation ended just over six months ago, it is estimated that 78,500 children will have started smoking in the UK, a number which grows by 430 every day. Now the Smokefree Action Coalition, an alliance of over 190 health organisations including the BMA, medical royal colleges, public health bodies, academic institutions and health charities, is calling on the Government to publish the results of its consultation and announce that it will go ahead with legislation.

Currently in the UK, there are no restrictions on the way tobacco multinationals are allowed to promote their brands through packaging. The packs are now the principal form of tobacco promotion and are designed to attract existing and potential consumers with colourful and eye-catching imagery.

Deborah Arnott, Chief Executive of health charity ASH said:

“The evidence is clear that heavily branded, brightly coloured packs are attractive to children.  It’s been six months since the consultation closed and the clock is ticking. Every day hundreds more children take up smoking – children who need protecting from tobacco industry marketing. The government must commit now to legislation to put all tobacco products in standard packs.”

Sir Richard Thompson, President of the Royal College of Physicians, said:

“As a young doctor I was depressed to see so many patients in their 50s and 60s suffering because they had started smoking as children. Back then there was very little we could do, but now we have the opportunity to help protect our children by implementing standardised packaging.”

Dr Harpal Kumar, Cancer Research UK’s Chief Executive, said:

“Around 430 children start smoking in the UK every day. With one in four cancer deaths caused by smoking, this is far too many children who are pulled into the lethal addiction. More than 80,000 Cancer Research UK supporters were among the 200,000 people calling on the Government to introduce plain, standardised cigarette packs   Our supporters run marathons and climb mountains to bring forward the day when we beat cancer. When the Government has a practical way to help prevent cancer, we urge it to act.”

Louise Morris, 36, a mother and former smoker from Newcastle who was influenced by cigarette packaging as a child, also wants the Government to act. She said:

“I started smoking with a group of friends when I was 13 years old. We all thought it was really fashionable to smoke the brand of cigarettes that looked the most attractive and I remember smoking cigarettes in a shiny gold packet because it made us feel like we were smoking a glamorous brand of cigarettes that looked more expensive compared to everyone else’s cigarettes.”

There is no evidence that standardised packaging will bolster the illegal tobacco trade as some tobacco multinationals suggest. [2] Branded tobacco packaging is no obstacle to counterfeiters and standardised packs would carry the same covert markings currently used to distinguish legal from illicit tobacco products. Legislation which ensures tobacco packaging is free from attractive designs will, above all else, help to discourage children from starting to smoke. [3]

Smoking is a childhood addiction, not an adult choice. [4]  More than 150,000 children start smoking each year in the UK. [5]  Half of all lifelong smokers will die from their addiction, amounting to over 100,000 people last year in the UK. [6]

Putting tobacco products in standardised packs is a popular measure. Opinion research shows that 62% of the public support the plain, standardised packaging of tobacco products, with more smokers supporting than opposing the measure. [7]  Over 200,000 people have expressed their support for the introduction of plain, standardised packaging of tobacco products in the UK. Internationally, standardised packaging is already in place in Australia which became the first country to implement such legislation in December 2012.  It’s time for the UK to follow suit.

Press Release from ash.org.uk

But why the wonder of Wanda, as this story’s title suggests? Well I will tell you…

In Dec 2008 in a freak paragliding accident, Wanda fell from 30ft to the ground and bounced on her back. She was airlifted to Truro hospital in Cornwall and then transferred to Derriford Hospital. Her consultant said it was most likely she would  not walk again. He also told her she would have to have two serious operations which would possibly let he stand up, but meant she would not run again or have any real mobility. The outlook was devastating.

Wanda Summer’s Broken Back

She refused the operations and after spending eight weeks in hospital before being transported to her boyfriends house so he could care for her at home. A hospital bed was delivered to the house, and she lay in the living room for another 4 weeks in home comfort. At exactly 12 weeks she sat up… very slowly. It was fantastic and the start to her determind recovery.

The next day she ventured outside the house in her whellchair, she had an overwhelming urge to stand up. Amazingly, she was able to take my weight on her legs. From their Wanda’s recovery accelerated and she was enthused to take life by the horns.

Plus, in her own time she is a long distance runner and amongst her achievements has competed in three 150mile self sufficient races across the Sahara Desert, the Gobi Desert and the Atacama Desert whilst raising money for the charity Shelterbox. This year she plans to run 150 miles across four deserts in Jordan and also will be running for 24 hours non on Praa Sands Beach in Cornwall in August to raise money for Shelterbox.

To reach the fianl she needs your votes. Simply click below and vote for Wanda!