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Luxury living for hedgehogs as DCHS students build houses
Alnwick Town Council provided 20 hedgehog house kits and pupils at Duchess's Community High School are constructing them for Thomas Percy Wood.
Every cancer patient to receive personalised support plan
The government's National Cancer Plan, published today, will give every cancer patient a Personalised Cancer Plan and an end‑of‑treatment summary, and aims for a named neighbourhood care lead for every patient by 2035.
Angie Best shares chemo update during cancer treatment
Angie Best, 73, is undergoing a second round of chemotherapy for colon cancer and has travelled to Switzerland for mistletoe therapy.
WWF urges small fence change to create hedgehog highways in gardens.
WWF UK is encouraging homeowners to add small holes about the size of a CD case to fences to create 'hedgehog highways', and says hedgehog numbers in the UK have fallen by more than 65% since 1995.
Elvis night returns at Nonna's and raises thousands for charity.
Maurizio Mori performed in full Elvis costume at Nonna's sold-out fundraiser, which was live-streamed and raised thousands for Sheffield Children's Hospital.
Time to Talk Day at Park Lane Stables brings people together.
Park Lane Stables in Teddington will host a Time to Talk Day on Friday to encourage open conversations about mental health; founder Natalie O'Rourke and volunteer Naomi Ghafoor say the event offers a low-pressure community space for visitors.
Neuroendocrine 'invisible' cancer patients are waiting years for diagnosis
A charity says people with neuroendocrine (so-called 'invisible') cancers face long delays to diagnosis, averaging about four-and-a-half years, and more than half are diagnosed at an advanced stage.
Octogenarian fundraiser says anyone can help at any age.
Louis Spencer, 86, has spent 13 consecutive years collecting for Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal after the charity cared for relatives; he often stands in supermarkets wearing a yellow vest and has raised thousands of pounds to support end-of-life care.
Mother and son take a step up the career ladder with a family-run loft business in West Sussex
Lynette and her son Chris have launched More Than Loft Ladders, a family-run business offering professionally installed loft ladders and related services in Portsmouth and surrounding areas of West Sussex. Lynette left a corporate finance career to gain flexibility and continue foster care while Chris manages on-site installations.
Jeremy Corbyn to speak in Luton as part of Your Party leadership campaign
Jeremy Corbyn will speak at Bury Park Community Centre in Luton on the Your Party leadership campaign tour from 7.00pm to 9.00pm, and will be joined by local figure Waheed Akbar, who has secured the local endorsements needed to stand as a candidate.
The Grove Theatre sees higher attendance in 2025 season
New seating and a mix of professional and community events helped The Grove Theatre attract larger audiences in 2025, including nearly 35,000 people for its December pantomime and £11,800 raised for Breast Cancer Now.
Common Ground Project launches to strengthen peace, inclusion and community leadership
The Common Ground Project, led by the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations and supported by PEACEPLUS, launched to promote inclusion, support newcomer communities and develop community leadership across Northern Ireland and the border region until October 2028.
Scarlett returns to Hastings gymnastics club after a brain bleed.
Scarlett visited Hollington Gymnastics Club in Hastings as part of her recovery after a brain bleed, and the club’s fundraisers have raised £957.30 to support her rehabilitation.
Draco Malfoy becomes mascot for the Year of the Horse in China
Fans in China have embraced Draco Malfoy as an auspicious figure for the Year of the Horse because the Mandarin transliteration of his name, mǎ ěr fú, includes characters meaning "horse" and "fortune", prompting memes and themed merchandise.
Saudi Arabia's AlUla Conference brings global focus to emerging markets.
Saudi Arabia will host the second annual AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies on February 8–9 in AlUla Governorate, organized with the IMF and attended by finance ministers, central bank governors and other officials.
Tickets now on sale for Heath Bookshop festival in Kings Heath
Tickets are now on sale for the Heath Bookshop Literature and Music Festival, which will run 35 events across Kings Heath and is supported by National Lottery Project Grants through Arts Council England.
Ukrainian sumo star Aonishiki trains to contend for Japan's top prize
Ukraine-born Aonishiki, a 21-year-old ozeki who has won two consecutive grand tournaments, is training in Tokyo ahead of the spring Osaka tournament where a win would make him eligible for promotion to yokozuna.
Lloyds and Halifax to close 16 UK bank branches in February
Lloyds will close 11 branches and Halifax will close five in February 2026, part of 71 planned closures this year; banks cite rising online use while charities warn vulnerable people may lose access.
St Helens legends Sculthorpe and Roby presented with heritage certificates
Paul Sculthorpe and James Roby were presented with Great Britain Heritage Certificates at the annual Lions lunch, which was sponsored by Ellis Rugby and supported by the RFL and Rugby League Cares; Sir Billy Boston received a standing ovation at the event.
Heavy snowfall in Japan kills at least 35 as more snow is expected
Officials say at least 35 people have died after weeks of heavy snowfall in Japan and nearly 400 others have been injured; authorities warn more heavy snow is expected this weekend.
Young women who died of cancer continue to help thousands
After Jess Brady's death, her mother's petition led to 'Jess's Rule', now being rolled out in GP surgeries in England; other charities and campaigners named in the article continue to raise awareness and have helped people receive earlier diagnosis.
Fundraising walk raises more than £3,200 in memory of Eileen Watters.
A memorial walk in Derrygonnelly on December 6 raised £3,219.25 and €46.47 for Cancer Connect’s Devenish Dragons in memory of Eileen Watters.
Breast cancer diagnosis service in Somerset used by hundreds in first year
More than 850 people used a new self-referral breast cancer diagnosis service in Somerset in its first year; 48 were diagnosed and 34 have started treatment.
Cancer survivor turns trauma into art with short film
Chloe Jacquet, a 45-year-old breast cancer survivor, has made a short film called "Chemotherapy Airways" based on her treatment; it will be released on 4 February to coincide with World Cancer Day.
Essex blind campaigner criticises removal from guide dog waiting list
Jill Allen-King, an 85-year-old Essex disability campaigner, says she was removed from the Guide Dogs waiting list after the charity said she no longer met its walking requirement; the charity said the rule is for animal welfare and that it is working to reduce a roughly 1,000-person waiting list.
Lucy Letby court appearance: mother of Baby D says she needed to face her
In a Netflix documentary, the mother of 'Baby D' says she attended Lucy Letby's trial to face her; Letby was convicted of multiple infant deaths and is serving whole-life sentences.
Bradford mosque urges Asian communities to get earlier cancer checks
A Dawoodi Bohra mosque in Girlington held an awareness event urging Bradford's South Asian communities not to delay cancer checks, in a campaign backed by Macmillan Cancer Support and Bradford Royal Infirmary.
Belfast Charitable Society transformed apprenticeship training in Belfast
The Belfast Charitable Society began placing children from its Poor House into apprenticeships from the late 18th century and, after 1827, the Ladies' Committee led by Mary Ann McCracken introduced welfare checks and new skills training for those apprentices.
Donation of £3,000 completes Your Local Paper Winter Appeal
A reader donated £3,000 to the Your Local Paper Winter Appeal, bringing the total to £10,000 and allowing £1,000 to be given to each of three local charities.
Sutton Coldfield bakery Silver Tree to open new outlet at Thorpe Estate.
Silver Tree Bakery will open a third outlet at the Thorpe Estate near Tamworth on Good Friday, April 3, 2026, after the estate received a £50,000 Rural England Prosperity Fund grant to convert a redundant agricultural building.
