Mark Phillips, his partner Natasha Ward, and their two children Jack, two, and Holly, four, placed flowers at the memorial in Victoria Park at the weekend – and are encouraging others to do the same.

The couple, from Aylestone, Leicester, said they were inspired by online campaigners urging people to make the symbolic gesture as a tribute to Drummer Rigby, who was killed in Woolwich last Wednesday.

Thousands of people have left flowers in the street where the 25-year-old father-of-one died.

A growing number of people are placing flowers at symbolic sites across the country.

Mr Phillips, 30, said: “I could not imagine how painful it must be for Lee Rigby’s family and I decided that I could do one small thing to honour his memory.

“Our son and his son share the same name, Jack, and they’re about the same age and that made it more important for me to do this.

“I told myself that someone needed to be the first person to lay flowers at the memorial in Victoria Park and I decided it would be me.

“My sister and father did the same thing later in the day after I told them we’d done it.

“It’s a start and I hope other people will do the same.

“Every town and most villages have a war memorial, so I hope people will find out where they are and do something to honour this man’s memory.

“It would be good if the news could be about how people in Britain have come together in solidarity with Lee Rigby and his family.”

A spokeswoman for the Royal British Legion in Leicestershire and Rutland said: “We understand that people may wish to lay flowers as a mark of respect and remembrance.

“As with all deaths in service, but particularly with this terribly distressing incident, we extend our condolences and support to his family, colleagues and friends.”

Drummer Rigby, originally from Greater Manchester, had been in the 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers since 2006.

He married his wife Rebecca in 2007 and the couple had a son, two-year-old Jack.

Members of his family visited the scene of his death last week to lay their own tributes alongside those placed in the street by thousands of well-wishers.

The Leicestershire Federation of Muslim Organisations has commended the Muslim community for its just response to the tragedy, which has been linked to Islamic extremism. Group spokesman Suleman Nagdi said: “It has been humbling to see so many of the Muslim community up and down the UK united in condemnation of what was truly a horrific crime.

“Many of our scholars and religious leaders have spoken against the vile phenomenon that is violent extremism in all its hideous guises and we strongly support them in their efforts to speak out.”

Article written for the Leicester Mercury website on 29th May 2013. Read it herer: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Leicester-family-s-tribute-Drummer-Lee-Rigby/story-19113308-detail/story.html

VITAL FIRST AID TRAINING poster 2013

VITAL FIRST AID TRAINING

The Emergency First Aid & Appointed Person course is designed for the general public who require training in basic first aid skills, in order to respond to family, friends and members of the community when an incident occurs. This course will provide the confidence to care for a person who is in need of assistance.

During your 4 hours of instruction you will cover:

• Principles Of First Aid
• Chain Of Survival
• Emergency Management Procedures
• Care Cycle
• Scene Survey
• Exposure Protection
• Risk To Rescuer
• Barrier Devices
• Primary Survey & Reassessment
• Clearing The Airway
• Recovery Position
• CPR (Adult, Junior, Baby)
• Introduction Into AED
• Choking (Adult, Junior, Baby)
• Severe Bleeding

Shock Management
Course Details

• Course Duration – 4 Hours
• Assessment – Continuous By Instructor
• Certificated – YES
• Certificate Expiry – Valid For 3 Years
• Cost – £45.00
• Dates – Course 1 Sunday 12th May 2013
• Course 2 Sunday 19th May 2013
• Time – 1pm – 5pm
• Venue – New Parks Leisure Centre

All training materials are provided and students will receive a training manual for future reference.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO BOOK YOUR PLACE PLEASE CONTACT CHRIS KILBY ON 0116 2333090 OR EMAIL christopher.kilby@leicester.gov.uk

Winners Jack and Ellie were delighted as they crossed the finish line first and Renee’s Mum, Catherine Woolman, said, “Renee’s memorial garden will be open to people who have taken part and raised money. My children and I would like to thank everyone once again who has raised money and took part. This really means a lot to us. From the bottom of our hearts, a big THANK YOU.”

Anyone who has been sponsored must submit their form along with the sponsorship money by 10th April 2013. To find out where to hand it in, email: Serina Leeanne (who can put you in touch with Renee’s Mum) or, you can visit the Facebook Event Page.

Renee’s family would like to get the memorial garden started in April. Fundraisers who have been involved in raising money for Renee are welcome to visit the garden once it is completed.

Any left-over donations will be given towards raising awareness for NEC (Necrotizing Enterocolitis) in full term babies. Receipts will uploaded on the Facebook Event page and raising awareness activites will also be documented so fundraisers know how the money has been used.

Renee-Hope Woolman

28.12.12 – 04.01.13

Renee-Hope was tragically taken by NEC (Necrotizing Enterocolitis), a disease which usually affects premature babies.

The Royal British Legion, which supports 300 ex-service personnel and their families in the county each year, had been hoping the 2012/13 appeal would raise more than £600,000.

However, community fund-raiser Giles Coleman said less than £500,000 had been collected so far.

The figure is down on the £526,000 raised in 2011/12, which was a record year for the appeal.

Mr Coleman said: “We think people are feeling the pinch. Figures are down by 10 per cent locally over the previous year, compared to an eight per cent dip nationally.

“However, this compares to a record year in 2011/12 when we celebrated our 90th anniversary. If we were comparing with a normal year, the drop is about three per cent.”

The latest appeal, launched in October last year, has so far raised £455,792.41 in Leicestershire and £35,254.99 in Rutland.

Mr Coleman said there was still time for people to donate.

“Although the principal Poppy Appeal collecting is carried out in October and November, we are a 365-day a year charity,” he said. “We are raising money from a various range of activities all the time until the end of our year on September 30.

“We rely heavily on our team of between 2,000 and 3,000 collectors. But some are having to retire through age and we are anxious to recruit more.”

D-Day veteran and Poppy Appeal collector Eric Buckley said times were hard but praised the people of Leicester for their support. Eric, 88, who has stood on the same patch outside the Highcross shopping centre every year for the last seven years, said: “It is sad to hear collections are down. I must say, though, that I have always found the people in Leicester very responsive and very generous.

“I think it says a lot about this country that people still find the money to donate even in these troubled times.

“We need more collectors, but I will be out there every day for two weeks later in the year. It is a very rewarding job to do.”

County Royal British Legion chaplain the Rev John Morley said lots of charities were struggling to raise funds.

The Rev Morley, who is also vice-chairman of the Market Harborough branch, said more collectors were needed.

“In the Harborough area we did well again last year,” he said.

“But our collectors are getting on and some are not able to brave the rigours of the weather in October and November any more.

“We would like to hear from young people who would like to volunteer to be collectors.

“One company gave one employee a paid day off last year to be a collector. We would like to encourage more companies of thinking of doing the same thing.”

People who want to get involved in raising funds locally for the Poppy Appeal can contact Mr Coleman by e-mail at:

gcoleman@britishlegion.org.uk

Written for the Leicester Mercury, published on 2nd April 2013

Elsie Frossell, who turned 100 yesterday, was visited by Councillor Abdul Osman at Abbey House residential home.

Born the middle of three sisters on March 28, 1913, in Darwen, Lancashire, she moved to the city in 1946.

Elsie – who has four children, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren – lived in New Parks for 20 years before moving to Abbey House, run by Leicester City Council, this year.

Born just a year after the sinking of the Titanic, she has lived through two world wars and seen more than 20 prime ministers come and go.

However, some of her most abiding memories are of her time as a child in the north west of England.

Daughter Sheila Fleming, 71, of Groby Road, Leicester, said: “Mum always used to tell me about when she learned how to swim. Basically, her dad took her to the seaside, walked out into the deep and threw her in!

“She also loved dancing and used to sneak out of the house when she was a teenager when her dad wouldn’t let her go.”

Elsie, whose husband, Claude, died 10 years ago, aged 86, worked as cafe manager at the city’s old Odeon Cinema, now Athena, for many years.

“She used to love working there and met some of the British film stars of the day,” said Sheila.

“Mum has never smoked or been much of a drinker, but she has a great sense of fun and humour. I think that may be the secret to her longevity.”

Staff and residents at Abbey House were due to hold a party for Elsie today.

Alison Bartram, senior carer, said: “Considering she’s 100 years old, Elsie’s got a fantastic sense of humour.

“She is a very cheerful lady – she loves a lie-in in the morning and is simply a pleasure to have around the home.”

Written for the Leicester Mercury, published on 29th March 2013

We run on Wednesdays at 5.30pm – contact Lisa on 07875 173670.

Taking place at New College in Leicester on Wednesdays at 4.30pm.

Classes are free.

Run, walk or crawl for the memory of:

Renee-Hope Woolman

28.12.12 – 04.01.13

Get your sponsorship form by emailing: Serina Leeanne or visiting the Facebook Event Page.

The event will be taking place in Braunstone Park at 10am on Sunday 31st March 2013.

Renee-Hope was tragically taken by NEC (Necrotizing Enterocolitis), a disease which usually affects premature babies.

We have organised this sponsored run, walk or crawl to help Renee’s mum with her baby’s funeral costs, to create a funeral garden for Renee’s sisters and brother and, to aid research into NEC that takes the lives of full-term babies.

• Left school and need some qualifications and experience?
• Got some spare time on your hands?
• Want to enhance your CV?

We would like to hear from you!

All you need is a sporty, friendly and reliable attitude

For a few hours volunteering a week, you will benefit by gaining qualifications and work experience, which can help towards your CV for college or future employment.

Following interview and successful CRB disclosure, candidates will be working in a small and friendly team assisting with the running, maintenance and training at the gym.

To arrange an interview or ask for more information please contact:

Serina on 07505520833

The Harlem Shake is a new worldwide craze, known as an internet meme – a concept that spreads via the web – and was inspired by a song of the same name by US DJ, Baauer.

The track has spawned thousands of videos which always start with one person dancing – then cut to lots of people thrashing about energetically when the drums and bass kick in.

On Tuesday night, about 30 regulars from Nine Bar, in Leicester’s West End, dressed in the brightest, most flamboyant costumes they could find to film their own version of the Harlem Shake.

The event was organised by pub manager Ben Hunt.

“It’s an internet sensation and we thought we’d give it a go,” he said. “It was our 16th birthday last Saturday, but there were far too many people in here to do it then, so we thought we’d get some regulars together during the week and have a crack.”

Regular Lee Kennedy, 38, who lives nearby, donned a large Venetian mask for the occasion. He said: “I had no idea this was going on, I’d just come down for a pint.

“I managed to get my hands on a mask and when it went off I got stuck in.”

Lingerie designer and pub regular Charlotte van Wesseldine, 23, was dressed as a dinosaur and hopped around on the bar.

She said: “Most of the people who come in here are friends and word got round that this was happening, so I thought I’d give it a go – I thought it would be fun.”

Scores of other groups and organisations from across the county have also been posting their clips on the internet.

They include players from the Tigers Academy, a Bangra version filmed at Sirius bar, in Belvoir Street, and a gang who surprised commuters at Narborough train station on Sunday.

“There were some kids on the opposite platform who had no idea what was going on,” said James Jackson, who took part.

The 25-year-old, from Croft, was one of about 15 revellers at the train station Harlem Shake, which included people dressed as Mexicans, policemen and Jesus.

Members of the Leicester Falcons American Football Team also got in on the action. They filmed themselves after training about a week ago.

Lawrence Grugeon, media manager for the team, said: “A few of our lads decided to get together and have a go. We’re a fairly new team so it was a bit of bonding.”

Numerous versions of the craze have also been filmed and uploaded by student groups at De Montfort University.

Tom Williams, vice president of media and communications at the students’ union, said: “It’s just great fun.”

Last week, the Mercury featured the University of Leicester’s version of the craze.

Written for the Leicester Mercury, published on Thursday 28th February. Read more: http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Harlem-Shake-internet-sensation-Leicestershire/story-18275627-detail/story.html#ixzz2MBdmAHpK