Robert and Maureen Macdonald have donated £10,000 to purchase lifesaving equipment to say thank you to the hospital team who resuscitated her. Maureen suffers from atrial fibrillation (AF), a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate. As a result she has had several visits to the Emergency Department at Pilgrim hospital and to the Acute Cardiac Unit. Maureen said: “I have AF and I cannot control it. I have also had a pacemaker and four stents fitted. Sometimes my heart rhythm just flips out and there is nothing I can do. It is just so exhausting and makes me so tired. “I have had several trips to the hospital and stays on the Acute Cardiac Unit. I can honestly say they are the most amazing team. I owe them my life, without them I would not be here today.” On Friday 5 April, Maureen’s heart stopped while she was in hospital. Staff on the unit were joined by the Critical Care Outreach team who all worked together to perform CPR and successfully resuscitated Maureen. Maureen said: “The only thing I can remember is that as I came back, Deputy Sister Molly Parker was holding my hand and telling me that everything was going to be OK. “Thanks to all of their efforts and care I was then able to attend my daughter Zoe’s wedding just a couple of months later. They gave me the gift of life and time. How can you put a price on that? Thank you just didn’t seem enough.” Towards the end of April staff at the hospital held a 12 hour CPR-a-thon to raise funds to purchase a machine that performs mechanical chest compressions if a person has a cardiac arrest and CPR is prolonged. The hospital already had a LUCAS CPR Chest Compression System machine within the Emergency Department to help to resuscitate patients, however on occasions this had not been available for use in other parts of the hospital. So the team organised the event which saw members of the Critical Care Outreach Team, the Hospital Out of Hours Team, the Acute Cardiac Unit Team and the Intensive Care Unit Team performing CPR for 12 hours non-stop on a mannequin. Maureen heard about the event and had a chat with Robert. She said: “I asked him what price he would put on my life? And when I suggested £10,000 he completely agreed that we would fund the device and donate the money.” Robert added: “They have given us everything. As the saying goes ‘you cannot take it with you when you go’ and so we didn’t think twice. We just hope that it helps this amazing team to save even more lives, just like they did with Maureen.” The Holbeach couple are both aged 82 and have been married for 62 years. They met at school and have two children and two grandchildren. Their daughter Zoe joined them on the visit to the hospital. Acute Cardiac Unit Sister, Chelsea Spencer, said: “I am the proudest sister in the whole hospital. It is so special to see Maureen well today and not needing our care. We are all so moved and grateful for this amazing donation from the Macdonalds. But the best gift of all is getting to see Maureen as a visitor and not as a patient.” Critical Care Outreach Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Hayley Head, organised the CPR-a-thon. She said: “Robert and Maureen’s support will help us to save lives. We couldn’t believe it when we heard all of the money had been raised. It was so emotional for all of us and when we realised it had come from the Macdonalds we were all so moved. They are an amazing couple and we have named this device ‘the Macs’ in recognition of their amazing generosity.” The couple donated the money to the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity who then used the funds to purchase the device. Fundraiser Gary Burr said: “Robert and Maureen are an amazing couple. In life you meet certain people who leave an imprint on your heart and they have certainly done that on the unit and within our charity team. They are like a ray of sunshine who bring joy and laughter wherever they go. We will never be able to thank them enough for their amazing generosity.” A couple of days after the visit, ‘the Macs’ was used for the first time and helped to save a patient’s life.   Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Stockfotos-MG

City of Lincoln Council has called in the Police to look into suggestions that staff at Lincoln Crematorium have not dealt with the burial of ashes in accordance with the wishes of the families of the deceased.

Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) is saying a big thank you to a Grantham runner who has raised over £3,000 for the charity’s life-saving work and is already planning her next race. Since her first run in 2021, Rachel has taken part in two Great North Runs and last year’s London Landmarks half Marathon. She is currently training for her third Great North Run with her daughter, Jess, which is taking place on 8 September in Newcastle. Rachel Hamilton has run numerous races in support of LNAA over the years. She said: “As a family we have needed the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance not once but twice. I ran the Great North Run in 2022 in memory of my dear dad who we sadly lost eight years ago and for my aunty, Jane Gosbee, when she was involved in a road traffic incident in 2021.  Without the help of the crew she may not be here today.” Georgia Watson, Events Manager, has full admiration for Rachel for her fundraising efforts. She said: “It is fantastic, what Rachel has achieved in the last few years. As a charity, Lincs & Notts relies on its supporters like Rachel to raise the £13million needed to keep our Air Ambulance and fleet of Critical Care Cars operational.”

A national charity, The Bread and Butter Thing (TBBT) is launching its third food hub in Lincolnshire, bringing fresh, healthy affordable food to the area’s low income communities. Funded by South Kesteven District Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), and Comic Relief, the new hub will open at 1pm on Friday 9th August at West Grantham Community Centre. This is in addition to sister hubs already operating out of Market Deeping and Stamford. Cllr Rhea Rayside, SKDC Cabinet Member for People and Communities, said: “We are committed to supporting anyone who’s struggling in South Kesteven so it’s great to be working with The Bread and Butter Thing on the launch of their latest hub. “If you’re looking for fresh, healthy, food that eases the strain on the purse strings, we urge you to come and check out any of their food hubs. We are very fortunate to have them here at a time when so many families are struggling.” TBBT Chief Executive Mark Game said: “We’re delighted to be working with SKDC again and expanding our Lincolnshire offering. “We’re all about helping food budgets go further by providing our members with nutritious food that doesn’t break the bank. “We’re on a mission to make sure everyone has access to great food, improve diets, strengthen struggling communities and help save money. Our members tell us they can save up to £35 a week by shopping with us, which frees up budget for other household priorities.” At its weekly hubs, TBBT members can collect three bags of fruit and vegetables, chilled food and cupboard staples at discounted prices, to feed their families, improve their diets and save money for other household priorities. Members pay £5 for a single bag, £8.50 for a three-bag family package or £17 for a large family package of six bags. It is a low-cost weekly shop that provides essential produce for family eating – fresh fruit and veg, fridge favourites and cupboard staples that allow members to eat better and cook more.   Image courtesy of South Kesteven District Council

East Lindsey District Council has named Acis Group as the operator of the Campus for Future Living in Mablethorpe. In partnership, the Council and Acis will bring the campus to life to deliver significant benefits to support the health and prosperity of the local community. The Campus for Future Living in Mablethorpe is East Lindsey District Council’s flagship project which will bring transformational health, wellbeing, research and community services to this area of the Lincolnshire coast for the first time, thanks to £8.6m government funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The Campus consists of two, two-story buildings and open green space all within easy access for the people of Mablethorpe. Beyond the physical structure, the vision is about creating learning opportunities, new jobs, and support for the local community. Alongside a wealth of community-based services the campus will also offer a café facility for all to enjoy. Proposed plans for the Campus by Acis include a range of activities, networking space and room hire, with each initiative designed to make a tangible difference in the community. Sited close to the Marisco Medical Centre, Mablethorpe Children’s Centre, Platform Housing and Mablethorpe Community Hub, the campus is primely positioned to become a thriving centre that links services together, creates new services that support local need and offers opportunities for learning, research and wellbeing for generations to come. This flagship and internationally significant campus benefits from the commitment of the University of Lincoln and the Lincoln Institute for Rural and Coastal Health to use the Campus as a base to conduct research and learning into health inequalities affecting coastal communities. This is just the start of realising the potential of the Campus vision. In line with the original business case, the collaboration of even more local, regional and national partners is set to grow over the next five years as the campus offering becomes established. The partnership with Acis and the University of Lincoln further supports the original Mablethorpe Investment Plan which underpinned the bid for government funding to help turn health and medical challenges in this area into nationally significant strengths and opportunities to improve services and create jobs. Cllr William Gray, Political Lead for the Campus for Future Living at East Lindsey District Council, said: “I could not be more thrilled that East Lindsey District Council has secured Acis Group as a partner to bring the vision of the Campus for Future Living alive. Acis already has a well established background in supporting people into work, housing, education and skills, including in Mablethorpe, and now the Campus for Future Living will support Acis in providing even more opportunities for local people. “The Campus for Future Living is all about partnerships, all focussed on supporting people in Mablethorpe and the Lincolnshire Coast get the services and support they need. Mablethorpe has a very exciting future and by investing in the town through the support of government funding, a whole host of new opportunities are being created. “As well as the services being developed by Acis, I am also delighted the University of Lincoln and the Lincoln Institute of Rural and Coastal Health have committed to the future use of the Campus as a research and learning facility. “This is exactly the potential we want to realise for Mablethorpe – facilitating coastal health research, providing residents with greater access to health and wellbeing services they need on their doorstep, bringing more people to the town, creating social opportunities, growth and expanding employment and skills.” Greg Bacon, CEO of Acis Group, said: “This is an exciting opportunity that aligns perfectly with our commitment to enhancing services, skills and education within our communities. “In proud partnership with East Lindsey District Council, we will bring our knowledge and skills of delivering for local communities that we have grown across the Group over the last 25 years. We work in Mablethorpe and surrounding areas already through Community Learning in Partnership (CLIP) which has delivered there for over 15 years, and which joined the Acis family in 2022. “Acis are thrilled to lead this project in delivering future services and helping to make a bigger difference in these communities.” As part of this development, the existing CLIP centre on Seacroft Road will relocate to the new Campus, giving the team further opportunities to provide education, skills and wellbeing services. Potential future partners, including those in the health and education sector, recently visited the campus to visualise the facility in use and the benefits it will bring to Mablethorpe and coastal communities. The campus also provided a visit from hundreds of delegates from across Europe who attended the 13th EURIPA Rural Health Forum hosted by the University of Lincoln. The forum’s theme ‘Tackling Health Inequalities in Rural and Remote Communities’ saw high praise for the campus and the potential it offers in providing a welcome space for the community to access health and wellbeing services as well as coastal health research opportunities.   Image: The Campus for Future Living in Mablethorpe – credit: East Lindsey District Council

  Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Chris Loneragan

Boston Borough Council has reported progress in reducing fly-tipping across the borough. In the first quarter of last year, 1,439 fly-tipping incidents were reported. This year, the same period has seen a 10.63% decrease. Key to the success has been a multi-faceted approach that includes increasing fine levels to meet government limits, installing new CCTV systems, conducting more targeted patrols, relocating litter bins, and implementing an identifiable waste scheme. Additionally, a recent education scheme has played a vital role in reducing these incidents. Councillor Butler highlighted the council’s efficiency in clearing waste, thanking the dedicated crews and partners for their hard work. “We are one of the most efficient councils in tackling fly-tipping, and this achievement is a testament to our committed team and community partners. “In the past 12 months, the council’s enforcement team has issued 237 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) for fly-tipping. We will continue to advocate for central government to take fly-tipping more seriously nationwide, ensuring our efforts contribute to a cleaner, safer environment for all.”   Image: Boston, Lincolnshire – credit: Stock.adobe.com/Tony

The final awards for the UK Shared Prosperity Funded (UKSPF) GRASSroots grant scheme have been announced, with almost £650,000 awarded over the past year through the South Holland District Council scheme, distributed by Lincolnshire Community Foundation. With match funding leveraged, just under £800,000 has been invested in parishes, village halls and community projects in South Holland through the programme, which is now closed for new expressions of interest. GRASSroots first began awarding grants 12 months ago, and has supported 40 community projects, sports clubs, parish councils and village halls to meet their aim of bringing people together through many methods including improving facilities and boosting volunteering opportunities. This latest round of funding, which totals £235,981, brings the scheme to an end in South Holland, however applications are still being accepted elsewhere in the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership, in Boston Borough and the East Lindsey district. In this round, awards have been distributed to: Surfleet Play and Recreation Charity – To repair and replace equipment in the children’s play area, install a shelter for the Forest School and install safety signage around the park. West Pinchbeck Village Hall – Replacement of existing boiler, installation of disabled toilet/improvement to toilet blocks and disabled access, resurfacing of car park and replacement of two windows. Holbeach Amateur Theatrical Society – New lighting and sound equipment. Deeping St Nicholas Parish Council – Redevelopment of St Nicholas Park. Sutton Bridge Parish Council – Development and refurbishment of play area. Crowland Town Bowling Club – New clubhouse. Gedney Drove End and Dawsmere Village Hall – Upgrading of electric wiring, installation of kitchen extractor fan and signage for the hall. Fleet Parish Council – Renovation of the playing field with more accessibility for disabled users. Holbeach United Community Sport Academy – New lighting and redecoration of academy building. Weston St Mary Village Hall – Upgrading the village hall, replacing the floor, fire doors, patio and fencing. Marjorum Beehive Association Ltd – Replacement of hall’s warped wooden floor and redesign of male toilet to include ramp and changing facilities. Sutton St Edmund Parish Council – Installation of outdoor gym equipment. Councillor Paul Redgate, deputy leader and portfolio holder for finance, said: “I am so pleased that we have marked this milestone just 12 months after the first awards were made by Lincolnshire Community Foundation. “This investment marks a once in a generation investment by the council. “There has been a huge demand for this grant scheme and those who have been successful have demonstrated what can be achieved with the right combination of suitable funding and passion. “All of the recipients have used the funding to help to build their communities and improve their facilities or volunteering opportunities – and that’s exactly what we wanted to see happening with the UKSPF funding. “I hope that these final recipients make the most of their awards, and I look forward to seeing the results of their work.”   Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Stockfotos-MG