Climate change campaign targets the PM

Prince Charles and the Prime Minister will this week receive copies of an extraordinary book as a campaign to tackle climate change gathers momentum.

Images from a Warming Planet, by photographer Ashley Cooper, documents the impact of climate change on every continent. At a national launch this week at the Royal Geographical Society, business leaders and academics committed their support. And when each guest was given a copy of the book, pledges were made to pass them on to influential friends and colleagues.

“One guest told me, I’m meeting Prince Charles tomorrow, I’m going to donate my copy of your book to him,” said Mr Cooper at the end of the event hosted by global business development experts Impact International. “Others were meeting Theresa May and foreign secretary Boris Johnson, and Virgin boss Richard Branson, and offered to do the same. I am left feeling humbled and empowered in equal measure and with a real sense of hope and optimism for the future.”

At the launch, compered by explorer, TV presenter and Vice President of the RGS Paul Rose, guests were told by Impact’s founder and CEO David Williams: “We believe that business should be a force for good.”

They heard from environmental campaigner Jonathan Porritt who said: “It is the world’s poorest who are suffering the most from our changing climate. How dare anybody be dispassionate about what’s going on in the world right now?”

In the audience were representatives from 80 leading business organisations and institutions, including senior staff from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, BP, Body Shop, HSBC, Prudential, Rolex, World Pay, and the Confederation of British Industry.

Mr Cooper, from Ambleside in Cumbria, took the audience on a whirlwind tour of his 13 year journey around the world photographing evidence of “the greatest threat humanity faces”. Pictures included forest fires, floods, deforestation, glacial melt and the impacts of industrial and commercial excess.

But there were also images of hope. “You might think this would be an evening of doom and gloom, but there was so much positivity in the room. We have the knowhow, we can fix this problem, but we need to move fast, ditching fossil fuels and embracing renewables,” Mr Cooper said.

Images on display at the RGS

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Safety session for burns awareness

A safety-at-home session is being staged in Ambleside on National Burns Awareness Day by a paramedic who suffered serious burns as a toddler.

Nick Wright, the director of MedSkills Academy, will host the drop-in session at Ambleside’s Parish Centre on Wednesday (Oct 18) from 3.30 till 4.30. It’s hoped that the event will appeal especially to families with young children.

Nick was left with scarring over his shoulder following an accident at home, involving a hot drink, when he was a child.  “Although scarring is now minimal, I appreciate the long-lasting effect such an injury can have,” he said.

Nick Wright

The National Burns Awareness Day gives Nick and his staff an opportunity to pass on expert knowledge regarding prevention and first aid treatment to the local and national community.

“Our aim is to raise awareness of the shocking number of people burned each day in the UK.  We also want to promote, good, effective first aid for burns to as many people as we can and at the same time fundraise for The Children’s Burns Trust.”

The MedSkills Academy drop-in session is for anyone who wants to find out more about making their homes safer, learn how to provide first aid to burns and an opportunity to ask questions to a healthcare expert.

Nick said: “I have staff who will be providing similar awareness raising sessions across the UK to members of the public and healthcare professionals alike.  We’ve also set up a Just Giving page to raise money for The Children’s Burns Trust”.

To find out more contact MedSkills Academy on 0800 612 5123.  To make a donation to the Children’s Burns Trust visit – https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/medskillsacademy

 

 

 

 

Come and join us, says Ambleside Sports team

The UK’s oldest-established traditional sporting event is looking for more helpers to take the event forward to a successful future.

Ambleside Sports was held this summer for the 131^st time, featuring track and fell running, junior races, Cumberland wrestling, track cycling and hound trailing. It’s organised entirely by a team of volunteers who are now looking to recruit new members.

Chairman Jak Hirst said: “Our committee runs the most successful volunteer organisation in Cumbria, and we have a spectacular event which is loved by thousands of visitors every year. But we need some younger people with energy and ideas to share in our success.

“We know that many local families have children who take part in the sports, the running and wrestling, and we hope that they might consider giving just a little of their time to help us provide these activities.”

Mr Hirst pointed out that the committee meets only six times a year, with a need for “able bodies” during show week to set up and dismantle the site. “A bit of extra help with administration  and secretarial work can also go a long way,” he added.

The Sports was part of the Lake District’s successful bid for World Heritage status. The LDNP co-ordinator said at the time of the bid: “Local people are at the heart of the rich, cultural landscape of the Lake District. The survival of our local traditions associated with hill farming culture, including annual agricultural shows, shepherds’ meets and traditional sports, such as Ambleside Sports, are a crucial part of our case for World Heritage.”

The committee has organised an extra meeting on Thursday November 9 at the Golden Rule in Ambleside (7.30) and hopes that new recruits will come along to learn how they can help. “We’ll buy you a drink and make you very welcome,” said Mr Hirst.  “It’s your chance to help ensure that this fantastic tradition continues.”

If you’d like to help, but can’t get to the meeting, call Mr Hirst on 07703 532868