Lincolnshire residents are being asked for their views about pharmacy provision throughout the county in a two-month consultation running from now until March 8th.

The public are being asked if they think the locations, accessibility and services provided by pharmacies are adequate – both now, and for the future.

Community groups are being invited to start the New Year with a resolution to apply for funding from South Kesteven District Council’s (SKDC’s) Community Fund. Grants of up to £5,000 are available to constituted community groups and charities, with a smaller grants scheme offering up to £2,000. The programme has so far helped groups with funding exceeding £782,000. It’s particularly keen to support projects or events tackling loneliness, and improvements to community buildings and amenities. The last funding round awarded grants of almost £12,000 and the next funding round closes for applications on 18th February. Latest awards granted incude:

• Foston Village Hall was awarded £3,228 for improvements to old and deteriorating lighting and emergency lighting with LED lights set to reduce bills.
• Grantham Creates was awarded £4,965 for equipment to produce community and amateur artwork displays in empty units and shop windows around the town centre.
• The new Rolling Stones Colsterworth New Age Kurling Group was awarded £1,005 for new indoor curling sets to be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities.
• St John’s Church, Spitalgate, Grantham, was awarded £2,691 to improve toilet facilities and water supply, benefitting visitors to the Community Fridge and Warm Hub.

Cllr Rhea Rayside, SKDC Cabinet Member for People and Communities, said: “Everyone needs a New Year Resolution and we are urging community groups to kick-start the year by applying for funding that can make a difference to their plans. “With 2025 marking the end of WWII, applications are also welcome from any groups planning 80^th anniversary commemorations for Victory in Europe Day and Victory in Japan Day if they fit the Fund’s criteria.” Community groups can apply for up to 80% of eligible costs to a maximum of £5,000, with the remaining 20% as a required applicant contribution. The small grants scheme can fund 100% of project and event costs up to £2,000, with no match funding required. This scheme is only open to groups that hold £10,000 or less of financial resource.   Image credit: South Kesteven District Council

A new cycle path has opened on Kingsway in Scunthorpe, which is an extension to the cycleway around Central Park, thanks to £300,000 funding.   The funding was secured following a successful bid from Active Travel England specifically to improve cycling and walking infrastructure. It provides a segregated link between the Ridgeway cycleway route and the existing cycle path alongside Ashby Road.   Cllr Tim Mitchell, cabinet member for connectivity, said: “As part of the council’s commitment to improve facilities for cycling and walking, we submitted the bid to Active Travel to improve the cycle paths on Kingsway. “This funding was awarded to the council specifically to improve walking and cycling facilities – it could not be used for any other highway repairs or improvements.  “The new cycle path provides a safer and more convenient route for both cyclists and pedestrians as the two are now separate.   “As part of the Active Travel Funding, a crossing has been installed outside of North Lindsey College to link to Central Park, providing safe, direct access from the college to the park and Scunthorpe town centre for students.”   Pictured (left to right) are Gareth Denovan, Highway Traffic Safety Manager and Cllr Tim Mitchell. Credit: North Lincolnshire Council

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.”