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“PULL YOUR FINGER OUT!” SAY WEST SUSSEX FIREFIGHTERS
It’s actually the title of a nationwide drive backed by West Sussex Council Fire and Rescue Service, urging people to make sure their fire alarms work. Throughout the UK smoke alarms have been responsible for detecting many of the 60,000 house fires Fire and Rescue Services are called to each year. But many hundreds of these deaths could be avoided if smoke alarms had been checked and working. The stark message is this. Dead batteries can be replaced – dead families can’t.
A working smoke alarm could save your life. In Littlehampton recently a man was saved by two smoke alarms alerting his neighbours to a fire that had developed in his kitchen.
“The man had started cooking but fell asleep on the sofa. It was the two smoke alarms sounding in his flat that alerted his neighbours to the danger,” says a spokesperson for the Fire and Rescue Service. “When they went to investigate they saw smoke through his letterbox and called the emergency services. Because of their swift action the danger was averted before the fire had a chance to take hold and escalate.”
Smoke alarms can cost less than £5 – and are available in DIY stores and many supermarkets. Always make sure that they meet the BS5446 Part 1 standard, have a KITEMARK, and are fitted according to the instructions provided.
CONGRATULATIONS to Miss A Butler of Steyning, winner of our December caption competition. A voucher worth £20 to spend on a healthy takeaway lunch at Just 100% Fresh is on its way to her, and we do hope she enjoys Jason’s delicious cooking. The winning caption appears here.
Caption reads: I think they must have put something in the gravy.”
MAKE HARRY A HAPPY BOY
Meet Harry - a five-year-old cross breed living at Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre in Shoreham. Dogs Trust staff are desperate to find him a home as soon as possible, as his living conditions are about to change. For a long time, Harry lived in the main block of the Centre, but found it increasingly difficult to cope with the comings and goings of busy kennel life. Staff were keen to help Harry, so they converted one of the outbuildings especially for him. This has really helped Harry, as it is much quieter for him and he is able to relax. However, his converted home is part of the one remaining old block, now due to be demolished to make way for beautiful brand new kennels – and moving back could be very stressful for him.
“Harry is such a super boy,” says Nicole at Dogs Trust. “He has so much to give and is wonderful with people once he gets to know them. He has lived happily with cats and dogs and just loves to play with toys. However, due to his fear of strangers, we’re looking for a quiet, adult-only home with very few visitors.”
Do you have the perfect home for Harry? Call the Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre Shoreham on 01273 452576 or visit between 12 noon and 4pm any day (except Tuesdays when the centre is closed).
Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, and cares for over 15,000 dogs every year through a network of 17 rehoming centres. Dogs Trust never destroys a healthy dog in its care.
LEARN TO MANAGE YOUR MOBILE
Modern technology such as mobile phones can help make life that little bit easier for carers and those they care for, so it’s good to know about a special training session in the Worthing and Littlehampton areas. Run by West Sussex County Council Adults’ Services, this free event covers how to make and receive a call on a mobile phone, how to make and receive texts and how to manage the phone address book.
The event takes place on Tuesday February 5, from 10am to 12.30pm, at Dove Lodge, Beach Road, Littlehampton – and by teaching the basics, will give people plenty of confidence when using their phone.
A similar session was held in Worthing recently and 21 carers went along. It’s proved so popular that similar events are also being planned for the Adur and Chanctonbury areas.
The training sessions have been developed by the Carers Liaison Service, working in partnership with West Sussex County Council Adults’ Services, the Adult and Community Learning Service, and the Sussex Learning and Skills Council.
Spaces are limited and must be booked in advance. A free lunch and refreshments are provided. So don’t be foxed by your phone. For more information or to book a place contact the Worthing and District Carers Liaison Service on 01903 528600.
GO THE EXTRA MILE - IN THE 2008 THREE FORTS CHALLENGE
Why not shed a few extra pounds by entering the 2008 Three Forts Challenge? You can raise funds for the RNLI’s Shoreham Lifeboat Station Appeal at the same time – so now’s the time to start training.
The event, organised for the fifth year by local Rotary clubs is now in its eleventh year. It takes place this year on Sunday May 4 and there are four different distances to choose from – a marathon, half marathon, a 10 mile hike and a five mile family-friendly walk.
The name comes from the fact that the marathon route visits the Iron Age forts of Devil’s Dyke, Chanctonbury Ring and Cissbury Ring. Known as "The Tough One", the Three Forts Marathon itself includes a total of 3450 feet of climb, with stiles and rough tracks underfoot. The family-friendly Cissbury Walk is suitable for all ages - although none of the routes are suitable for wheelchair access.
A 13-mile half marathon follows part of the unique marathon course, with the Chanctonbury Walk covering a 10 mile route.
All four of the routes start and finish at Norwich Union, Hill Barn Lane, Worthing, BN14 9QD, and are fully marshalled, with refreshments provided and ample free parking at the start.
Entry numbers for the marathon and half marathon are limited to 400 runners in each (walks have no limit) and all participants will receive a medal.
To find out more about the Three Forts Challenge including start times and entry fees, and to download an entry form, log on to www.threefortsmarathon.org.uk or call Mike Airey, Race Director on 01273 857985, or Peter Firth, Entries Secretary on 01903 813142. For online entry into the marathon or half marathon visit www.runnersworld.co.uk
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