A team from Lincolnshire Heart Centre gave up their own time to provide CPR training to more than 120 students during one afternoon. The team of specialists visited Boston Grammar School where they held sessions for sixth form students to learn the skills needed to help save a life in the event of a cardiac arrest. They also met with members of the school’s medical society about applications to medical school and life as a doctor. Consultant Cardiologist David O’Brien, Consultant Cardiologist Dinal Taleyratne, Lead Resuscitation Practitioner Monique Loveday and Cardiology Ward Sister Chelsea Spencer trained 128 at the Rowley Road school. They were joined by Student Paramedic Aakash Jansari. Dr Taleyratne said: “Education is a powerful tool and it was great to have the opportunity to share our skills with the students. As a team we would like to offer more sessions like this to young people and schools. “In just a few hours we have managed to equip these students with the skills they need to be able to save a life. We hope they are never in a position where they need to perform CPR, but if they do they now know what to do.” Professor David O’Brien is professor of medical education at the School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, and is also Vice-Dean at the Lincoln Medical School. He has worked as an interventional cardiologist in United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust for 16 years where he was former Clinical Director for Cardiology, opening the Lincolnshire Heart Centre at the Trust in 2013. He has been teaching Advanced Life Support (ALS) for 25 years and has been an ALS course medical director for 15 years. He said: “As an ALS Committee Member of the Resus Council UK, I appreciate the profound benefits that both timely basic and advanced life support training provide to patients. A massive thank you to Boston Grammar School for the warm welcome, it was inspiring to see so many students practicing CPR and getting involved. “In addition to the training, it was great to talk to students who may be interested in a career within the health service. Who knows, we might have even inspired a few to join the medical profession.” Professor O’Brien, Dr Taleyratne and Monique recently visited Sri Lanka and shared their skills with hospital teams and clinicians. Monique said: “Being able to visit students closer to home to give them the skills to potentially save a life has been a real privilege and something that we are keen to develop further. Just think how many lives could be saved if all school children were taught CPR?” Headteacher, John McHenry said: “It was a truly inspirational afternoon and one that I know will stay with the students throughout their lives. We are so grateful to the team for being so generous with their time and their knowledge.”   Image credit: United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust

Work has begun on the first 52 energy-efficient homes at Charterholme, a landmark new neighbourhood predicted to transform the western side of Lincoln. The start of construction marks a significant milestone in the city’s largest development project in decades. Previously known as the Western Growth Corridor, Charterholme has been more than 100 years in the making and is the result of a partnership between the City of Lincoln Council and city-based construction company Lindum Group. The project will unfold over the next 25 years, delivering 3,200 homes alongside shops, a business park, a leisure village, community services, and enhanced transport infrastructure. Rebecca Hurst-Miller, Director of Lindum Homes, said that this first phase of 52 houses would play a key role in establishing the vision and character for the entire development. “One at Charterholme will combine thoughtful planning and sustainable principles to create a neighbourhood that benefits both its residents and the wider community.”

A seven-year-old has used pedal power to raise £1,000 for his local hospital’s charity by biking 400km. Oliver Moore, from Bracebridge Heath near Lincoln, initially set himself a target to complete the distance, which is just under 250 miles, in 30 days to raise £400 for Lincoln County Hospital. He decided he’d like to raise money because he wanted to help people and settled on a cycling challenge as he enjoys being out on his bike. Oliver rode several differing routes around Lincoln and Sleaford covering varying distances from 5km to 25km each time. It soon became a family affair with his mum and dad, Alannah and Mark, accompanying him on his rides and even his one-year-old sister joined in for a short distance. Oliver’s last ride finished at his football club in Waddington where his teammates were cheering him on as he passed over the finishing line. Oliver generated the money through a fundraising platform which included donations from family and friends. Oliver more than doubled his target of £400 with a grand total of £1,000. Oliver’s mum, Alannah Moore, said: “We were having dinner one evening when Oliver told us he wanted to raise money to help people. We made suggestions of what he might like to do and he decided on biking a big distance like 400km, aiming to get £400. Then he told us he wanted to complete it in 30 days! A huge aim for a seven-year-old. “We are so proud of him.” Oliver said: “I wanted to do this because I enjoy bike riding and have done it since I was three years old. “I wanted to raise money for Lincoln hospital because both me and my sister Halle were born there. I think the doctors, nurses and carers are amazing there. “I am very proud of myself because I wanted to raise £300 to start with then I thought about changing my target to £400, so I was so happy when my mum and dad told me I had got to £1,000. Thank you to everyone who sponsored me.” United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity supports staff to deliver outstanding care to patients, their families and carers in the county’s hospitals. The money raised for and by the charity pays for the extras which can’t be provided by the NHS alone. For example, funding a sensory room at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston and providing teddy bears for babies on the neonatal units. Ben Petts, Charity Manager at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity, said: “We were delighted to hear about Oliver’s challenge and fundraising. “He is an absolute star and one of the youngest fundraisers we’ve ever had. “Congratulations on beating your target Oliver and we are so grateful for the money for our charity.”   Image credit: Stock.adobe.com/Yuri Hoyda

Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) are giving a huge thanks to the members of the Alternative Earl Beatty Lodge No. 3516 Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes based in Grantham for their generous donation of £500. LNAA volunteers Eddie King and Siobhan Poxon recently attended a meeting to receive this kind donation. Eddie said: “£500 is the equivalent cost of one blood transfusion. “It is with thanks to donations from people and organisations in Lincs & Notts that our crews are able to deliver a life-saving treatments across the counties, 24 hours-a-day, every day of the year.”

Major investment in communities across the East Lindsey area has ben boosted with a £1m donation to Lincolnshire Community Foundation’s GRASSroots scheme. It’s the first grant from a £10m pot from the new and transformative £10m East Lindsey Investment Fund, which has been extended beyond 2025. So far more than 60 projects across the district have received funding from LCF via GRASSroots, and nearly £1m in grants has been awarded through the scheme since its inception in July 2023. Craig Leyland, leader of East Lindsey District Council, said: “I know of many projects across the district which have already benefitted from funding from this scheme – and I know it is making a huge impact. “This is something ELDC is committed to continuing through the Investment Fund and this clearly shows our dedication to supporting our communities and encouraging them to continue their hard work, whether that’s by running a group supporting elderly people, putting on sports activities, taking care of a village hall or encouraging young people to try a new hobby. “I’m looking forward to hearing of the first round of awards distributed by LCF as a result of this funding and to see what comes next.” Paul Scott, Chair of Trustees at Lincolnshire Community Foundation said: “Staff and Trustees at the Foundation are delighted to receive news that members at ELDC have agreed to continue working in partnership with us to invest a further £1M in local communities. “Funding via the East Lindsey Investment Fund will enable us to build on the impact of GRASSroots grants and reach into the heart of communities to improve facilities, provide access to services and opportunities. “We are confident these funds will have a positive impact on the lives of residents now and into the future. “The Grants Team will continue to be available at every stage of the process of offer advice and support to potential applicants.”

Yarborough Leisure Centre management company Active Nation is working in partnership with the City of Lincoln Council to invest £350,000 in a solar panel array. This green energy initiative, funded by Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund Phase Two, aims to improve the facility’s energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint, aligning with the UK government’s Net Zero by 2050 objective. The project includes two significant upgrades: installing the solar panel array on the leisure centre’s roof and improvements to the Air Handling Unit within the centre. The new PV panel system comprises 284 high-performance panels capable of generating approximately 89,258 kWh every year. In addition to its environmental impact, the system is set to deliver substantial financial benefits, saving the centre almost £17,000 a year on energy costs. The savings will support the centre’s efforts to remain a vital community resource. The project is part of a nationwide effort funded through Sport England’s £60 million Swimming Pool Support Fund, which supports local authorities across England in improving the energy efficiency of facilities with public swimming pools.

Lincoln College’s fundraising efforts, dubbed ‘The Pink Ribbon Campaign’ has now surpassed £100,000 after 18 years of raising money. Set up in 2012 after 6 years of fundraising for the breast cancer charity Candles, staff at College have been raising cash in a variety of ways. Lincoln College Governance Officer, Sarah Adams, said: “We are thrilled to have reached £100,000 of fundraising. “Fundraising started at the College in 2006, initially with two members of staff raising money through the sales of a recipe book for Body Sense which was linked to Professor Eremin’s research. Professor Oleg Eremin for many years researched into why Lincolnshire breast cancer rates were higher than the national average. “With the diagnosis and sad loss of a number of precious colleagues, the fundraising then began to grow and develop into the Pink Ribbon Campaign we now have supporting local charities.” Cheques were presented this year to a wide variety of charities close to staff members’ hearts and will make the following kinds of difference: Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance – Funds will keep the donation-reliant emergency service in the air. Polio Fellowship – New cases of polio are occurring across war-torn countries and needs funding to help eradicate it and provide specialist equipment. St Barnabas Hospice – St Barnabas will benefit from 56 hours of care from the donation. Macmillan – The funds will train two nurses in advanced pain control. Marie Curie – This will provide 4.5 nights of care in someone’s home. British Heart Foundation – This will support a day’s PhD research into heart disease. Children’s Bereavement Centre – This will give 5 children and their families counselling and support or will buy 1,000 teddy bears for children. Anthony Nolan Trust – This will provide around 25 potential donors for stem cells, this is particularly poignant as a staff member, Garry Williams, a Lecturer in Policing, had his life saved by such donations. Epilepsy Action UK – Supports vital work they do with phone and group support and advice. Dementia UK – Can help support dementia sufferers and their families long term. Beaumond House Hospice, Newark  – Supports a 4-bed inpatient unit and supports Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. College Fundraising Activities and Events undertaken by college staff have included dozens of innovative initiatives, including: College Calendars, Pink Ribbon Balls, Mount Kilimanjaro Climbs, Coast to Coast cycle rides and undertaking the Lincoln 10k. Staff have also taken part in the Hiking Vikings Challenge, which is a section of the Viking Way, Ron’s Race Night, Movember and Pamper Nights held by beauty staff and students. As well as this, staff have donned Santa outfits for the annual Lincoln Santa Fun Run and Walk, worn pink only for Wear it Pink days, have pedaled their way to pounds with ‘On yer bike’ rides and put effort into annual sponsored walks. Notable big fundraising efforts each year have also included: 2012 – National Three Peaks Challenge and the College Lottery was introduced. 2013 – Yorkshire Three Peaks 2014 – Lake District Challenge – 24 in 24 hours 2015 – Spires and Steeples – 26, 13 or 6.5 miles from Sleaford 2016 – Riverside Walk – Washingborough Five Mile bridge and back 2017 – Along the ridge from Wellingore – 10 Miles – part of the Viking Way 2018 – RAF 100 Walk – 6 or 12 miles 2019 – Lake District 3000ft peaks 2023 – 5 or 10 Mile walk to Skellingthorpe (Daisy Maid Ice Cream) 2024 – Spires and Steeples In total to date £100,847 has been raised and with this round of donations more than £97,500 has been given to charities in the past such as Candles (the Charity that supported Professor Eremin’s work), British Polio Fellowship (Lincolnshire Branch), MacMillan, Marie Curie, British Heart Foundation, Clic Sargent, MS Society, Lincolnshire Sport (prizes), Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance, Beaumond House Hospice, Children’s Bereavement Centre, Bed for Nancy, Rape Crisis Centre and Teenage Cancer Trust.