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.

LIVES, the Lincolnshire-based emergency response charity, is celebrating an impactful 2024, during which its volunteers and training programs made a significant difference in local communities. This year, LIVES’ Volunteer Community First Responders (CFRs) attended 2,578 emergencies, ensuring timely care and support for those facing medical crises. (Figures run from 01/01/2024 – 18/12/2024) In addition to responding to emergencies, LIVES Expert Training trained 1,548 people in life-saving skills, equipping individuals, professionals and businesses with the confidence to respond in critical situations. Volunteer CFRs play a vital role in providing immediate assistance in medical emergencies, often arriving on the scene before an ambulance. This year, LIVES volunteers have responded to a wide range of incidents, from life-threatening situations to providing reassurance and care to those in distress. Annie, a LIVES Community First Responder, said: “As responders, we are everyday people serving our communities as CFRs. 2024 has been a great year for sharing our skills and knowledge teaching bystander CPR to members of our communities, a skill that can make so much difference! “When on call I have met some people at their most vulnerable who have welcomed me into their homes and trusted me with their care until the ambulance arrives. “It’s a very privileged position that I have. It’s a voluntary role, the thanks and gratitude I receive from patients and their friends and family is payment in itself. “Will I still be responding in 2025? I remind myself daily of why I joined LIVES over 9 years ago and that reason is to be there in my local community when minutes really do matter. As long as my knees keep bending and my back allows me to. I’ll be there.” LIVES volunteers will also be there for people in need this Christmas. Julie, a LIVES Community First Responder has this to say about why she responded in 2023 and will continue to do so this year: “I had the free time, and I didn’t want anyone to be scared on Christmas Day if they had to call 999, if I could offer the help and support to help prevent that then I feel I would have done a good job. “I’ll be responding this year as well because I want to be there for people in their moment of need.” LIVES continues to depend on the generosity of its supporters to sustain its emergency response and training initiatives. The charity invites the community to reflect on its achievements in 2024 and consider donating to help LIVES reach even more people in 2025!

A £100m investment, said to be the biggest a generation, is to be made in the UK’s 200-plus hospices. The funding will help hospices this year and next to provide the best end of life care to patients and their families in a supportive and dignified physical environment. Hospices for children and young people will also receive a further £26 million revenue funding for 2025/26 through what until recently was known as the Children’s Hospice Grant. The government is committed to ensuring every person has access to high-quality end of life care and, as part of its Plan for Change is taking immediate action to rebuild the health service and deliver improved standards of care, making sure it is fit for the future. Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Hospices provide the care and support for patients and families at the most difficult time so it is only right they are given the financial support to provide these services.

“This package will ensure they will be able to continue to deliver the compassionate care everyone deserves as they come to the end of their life in the best possible environment.”

The investment will go towards helping hospices to improve their buildings, equipment, and accommodation to ensure that patients continue to receive the best care possible, including refurbishing bedrooms and bathrooms for patients and providing comfortable overnight facilities for families, improving IT systems making it easier for GPs and hospitals to share vital data on patients. The money will also help towards improving garden and outdoor spaces so patients and their families can spend time outdoors in greener and cleaner spaces. Toby Porter, CEO of Hospice UK, said: “Today’s announcement will be hugely welcomed by hospices, and those who rely on their services. Hospices not only provide vital care for patients and families, but also relieve pressure on the NHS.

“This funding will allow hospices to continue to reach hundreds of thousands of people every year with high-quality, compassionate care. We look forward to working with the government to make sure everyone approaching the end of life gets the care and support they need, when and where they need it.”

As well as being on Facebook and YouTube on the internet East Lindsey District Council has now signed up to WhatsApp to provide residents and visitors with another convenient way to stay informed about local happenings. WhatsApp channels offer users a secure and private way to follow what matters to them, subscribing for free to news from their favourite organisations and celebrities. Channel admins and fellow followers don’t have access to personal information such as names, profile photos, or numbers. Followers can set notifications to read messages in real-time and, if they choose, respond with a simple emoji or vote in a poll. Without public or private replies to posts, Channels steps away from the sometimes-hostile atmosphere that has turned some users away from other social networks. Channel followers can also easily share WhatsApp channel posts with individual contacts and WhatsApp groups, helping to keep their friends, families, and local communities informed. Councillor Craig Leyland, Leader of East Lindsey District Council, said, “”I am delighted to announce the launch of our WhatsApp Channel, which is a significant step forward in improving our communication with residents, businesses, and visitors. This platform will enable us to share timely and relevant updates directly with the community, ensuring everyone stays connected and well-informed.”

West Lindsey District Council has officially submitted an expression of interest to acquire the former RAF Scampton site after the Home Office declared the site ‘surplus to its requirements’. The move comes two years after the council unveiled a once in a generation £300m development plan for the site, in collaboration with a development partner, Scampton Holdings Ltd. The regeneration opportunity was paused when the Home Office intervened using emergency powers, to use the site for asylum accommodation. However, on 5th September this year they confirmed they would not proceed with its asylum accommodation plans on the site. The Home Office declared the site as surplus to their operational requirements and listed the site on the government’s Electronic Property Information System. This triggered a 40-day expression of interest period, during which time any public sector organisations could set out their case for acquisition. The deadline for submission of expressions of interest was 12 December. Cllr Trevor Young, Leader of West Lindsey District Council confirmed the council officially submitted its expression of interest in acquiring the site. He said: “With the site now officially surplus to Home Office requirements, the council sees an opportunity to revisit and advance our development goals in partnership with key stakeholders. Subject to Home Office decision making, this will enable us to continue our journey to secure the significant investment and regeneration of this key, strategic site “RAF Scampton is a site of immense historical and economic importance, and we remain committed to unlocking its full potential for the benefit of our community. “While the past two years have brought challenges, we are determined to pursue our original vision and ensure the site is used in a way that respects its legacy and supports sustainable growth.” The council’s plans aim to honour RAF Scampton’s heritage and create business, aerospace, space and education opportunities to stimulate the local economy. The opportunity at RAF Scampton is included in the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan, which has been named the Best Plan in the East Midlands by the Royal Town Planning Institute. Peter Hewitt, Chairman of Scampton Holdings Limited welcomed the news and said: “This is a chance to reignite our plans that prioritise economic growth, historical preservation, and community needs. We are committed to doing what we can and continue to work hard with the Council to ensure a bright future for RAF Scampton.” The council has submitted an expression of interest which sets out the case for site acquisition and how the site can support the mission for inclusive, sustainable, growth and regeneration. The Council will continue to engage with residents, businesses, and stakeholders to ensure a collaborative approach to its future. Further updates will be provided once the outcome of the expression of interest is known.