Trust launches new flu video

Staff at a North-East NHS Trust have launched an animated video as part of their campaign to raise awareness of the flu vaccine amongst staff.
The video, from Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, follows a successful campaign last year that saw the most nurses vaccinated in the north east. 
The Trust hopes that this year’s campaign will inspire more staff to receive their vaccination.
Dr Damian Robinson, Director of Infection Prevention at NTW, explained: “Despite running a very successful campaign last year, we were concerned about the adverse reports in the media about the effectiveness of the vaccine.”
He added: “We want to keep everyone safe from flu this winter.”
The video can be viewed on YouTube or by following a link on the NTW website.

Originally published in The Northern Echo (in print).

Walk to School children will head to centre

MORE than 70 children from primary schools across the North East will march to Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead on Wednesday, as part of the Walk to School project.
The children will walk to the Baltic from 10am.
They will also take part in a number of creative sessions in the arts centre, as well as a treasure hunt.
The project, run by UK charity Living Streets on behalf of Schools Go Smarter, will coincide with International Walk to School Month.

Jenny Wiles, North East Director for Living Streets, said: “We’ve been working incredibly hard with the local authorities throughout the North East to get more children walking to school over the past 20 years.“This event is a celebration of the enjoyment and health benefits the children we work with get through walking to school.”

Originally published in The Northern Echo (print).

Animal charity appeals for furniture

A CHARITY shop is appealing to supporters to donate furniture to help fund its work with animals. 
Staff and volunteers at the Chester-le-Street branch of the veterinary charity PDSA are asking for good-quality furniture with a fire warning label in exchange for a free collection service.
The appeal comes from efforts to raise vital funds for the charity, whose work includes providing PDSA-funded veterinary treatment in the local area.
A charity spokesman said: “If you’ve recently redecorated, had a clear out or moved house and have unwanted furniture taking up your valuable space, then why not donate your items to PDSA?
“All donations will help us raise valuable funds to care for the sick and injured pets of local people in need.”
Supporters who want to donate their furniture should contact the shop on 0191 3881676 to arrange a free collection.
Donations can also be taken directly to the shop on Front Street between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday.
For more information about PDSA, visit www.pdsa.org.uk.

Originally published in The Northern Echo (under Tony Kearney, News Editor and work experience supervisor). Also in print.