Nigel Farage’s party has withdrawn its support for David Robert Prior, who is standing in the Saltwell ward, in Gateshead, at the upcoming local elections.
Mr Prior, whose expulsion was first reported by Jewish News, will still appear on ballot papers at the election on May 7.
His name reportedly appeared in a list of members of the far-right BNP that was previously published by WikiLeaks, a copy of which has been seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Advertisement
The news comes just days after Mr Farage was in the North East, during which he addressed party members at an event in Sunniside following visits to high streets in Gateshead and South Shields.
When approached for comment by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mr Prior said: “It was 20 years ago and I am not that person any more, I am devastated to tell you the truth. I’m just devastated that something that happened 20 years ago…I don’t know what to say.”
A Reform UK spokesperson said : “Mr Prior has been expelled from Reform UK after failing to declare his former membership of a proscribed organisation. Reform UK has withdrawn our support for his candidacy.”
Reform UK later clarified to the BBC it has proscribed the BNP itself on a list of organisations of which past or present membership is “incompatible” with membership of the party.
Advertisement
The BNP is not a proscribed organisation or banned under UK law.
Mark Ferguson, the Labour MP for Gateshead Central and Whickham, said he was “sickened” by the revelation that a Reform candidate was a former BNP member.
He said: “That vile, racist and anti-Semitic party was rejected in Gateshead before, and its poison has no place in our politics now.
“Saltwell is a strong, diverse community where people of different faiths and backgrounds live side by side. Reform UK must now confirm whether any of their other candidates in Gateshead have links to the BNP – or any other extremist groups – as former members, supporters or sympathisers.
Advertisement
“There are decent candidates from different parties standing in these elections. I am sure they will be as shocked and disgusted as I am by what has been revealed.”
Gateshead Council’s opposition Lib Dem leader, Coun Ron Beadle, added: “The national Reform party have done the right thing by expelling this man but Gateshead Reform looks like a party that is out of control.”
All 66 council seats in Gateshead are up for grabs at the election on May 7, in a race which could radically alter the political face of the area.
The former Coronation Street star took to social media to speak about his younger sibling following his dramatic I’m A Celeb stint
Ryan Thomas has been seen speaking out in defence of his brother, Adam, as his time in I’m A Celebrity… South Africa continues to be marred by the drama which has unfolded on-screen.
Advertisement
There were explosive scenes in the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here spin-off this week as the Manchester-born actor almost lost his place in camp due to Jimmy Bullard quitting a trial, which therefore saw him forfeit his time on the ITV show.
Adam’s unexpected outburst towards the former footballer came after viewers were left in uproar over David Haye’s treatment of the Waterloo Road star.
The boxer criticised Adam for opting out of a Bushtucker Trial because he was “not feeling well”, before he went on to claim he was “dehydrated”. Despite fellow campmate Beverley Callard urging him to “have a little bit of sympathy”, boxer David called actor Adam “useless”, adding: “Who gives a s*** if he doesn’t feel well. He’s a grown-ass man.”
Adam, 37, has since been heard speaking to his brothers Scott and Ryan on their At Home With The Thomas Bro’s podcast, and Adam broke down in tears as he told of his “tough time” during the all-star series, while also sharing that he is now in therapy after the experience.
Advertisement
Former Emmerdale star Adam has since made the final of I’m A Celebrity South Africa, which will air live on ITV on Friday (April 24) night, alongside Craig Charles, Harry Redknapp and Sir Mo Farah, and ahead of it, Ryan has spoken out in support of his younger sibling.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
The former Coronation Street star took to Instagram with a childhood snap of the pair, alongside which he wrote in view of his followers: “It’s hard to put into words what you mean to me bro. You’ve always been more than just a brother… you’ve been my backbone, my reality check, and the person who always champions me & everyone else around you.
“A friend of mine called me this morning and said in 30 years of knowing Adam he’s never seen him react the way he did in the jungle does that not speak volumes!!??? You stay true to your emotions your feelings it’s who you are & I wouldn’t change any of you, you do things with compassion, love & sensitivity.”
He went on: “I hate to say this because I’m your big brother but I look up to you in so many ways sometimes I wish I was more like you. You’re not just my little brother…you’re my best friend & I’d be lost without you. Ps I know you don’t care about winning but just a reminder that us boys have done every reality show there is & I’ve won all of them….what have you won!? Bring that crown home R kid. As Dad would say ‘life’s a game son’.”
Ryan Swain from Malton says his life was turned upside down when a routine dosage increase spiralled into a “life-threatening” ordeal.
The medication, prescribed to manage his motor tics and Tourette’s syndrome, triggered a severe reaction that saw his body effectively seize up.
From extreme rigidity and seizure-like episodes to agonising chronic pain and a complete inability to communicate, the symptoms were devastating.
North Yorkshire presenter’s body ‘shut down’ after taking medication for Tourette’s syndrome
Ryan told Creatorzine: “My body felt like it was shutting down and I had no control over my muscles or my responses.
“It was within a short period after starting the medication, particularly following an increase from 30mg to 60mg, that I began to notice symptoms developing.
Advertisement
“My condition deteriorated rapidly and became life-threatening in a very short space of time.”
The 36-year-old who is also a skateboarder and motivational speaker had been prescribed Duloxetine but after his dosage was increased, his condition quickly took a frightening turn.
Warning signs first emerged in early April, when he began suffering profuse sweating, zoning out and severe muscle tension.
Concerned, Ryan visited his GP, who suspected early signs of both Serotonin Syndrome and Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, two potentially dangerous conditions.
Advertisement
Ryan has been updating people on his recent health scare on social media (Image: Jam Press/@officialryanswain)
As his symptoms rapidly escalated, he was taken to Scarborough General Hospital.
Ryan explained: “I was taken into hospital where I was rushed in resuscitation.
“A cannula was fitted and I was given a drug to counteract it called Procyclindine which worked well and I remained for five days under close monitoring.
“During that time, I underwent a range of tests including ECG heart monitoring and other investigations to assess the impact the reaction had on my body.”
Advertisement
Throughout his five-day hospital stay, he was closely monitored by multiple specialist teams, including neurologists and mental health professionals.
But the experience exposed how little understood such reactions can be.
Ryan said: “Different teams were learning in real time, assessing symptoms, and working through what was happening as it unfolded.
“While the care I received was dedicated and supportive, it highlighted how complex and evolving the understanding of these reactions still is, even within clinical settings.”
Advertisement
The aftermath has been life-altering for Ryan who says his muscles “totally seized up”, leaving his mobility severely impacted and even the simplest tasks now feel overwhelming.
He shared: “My moods and emotions are all over the place, my movement became slow and painful, and even basic tasks simply became difficult.
“I also experienced issues with memory, processing, and coordination, which are still part of my ongoing recovery.
“Emotionally, the experience has been overwhelming and at times traumatic.
Advertisement
“There’s a loss of trust in your own body when something like this happens, especially when it escalates so quickly and without warning.”
‘My body felt like it was shutting down’ (Image: Jam Press/@officialryanswain)
Doctors later explained the ordeal was caused by a severe adverse reaction linked to serotonin levels in his body.
While rare, such reactions can escalate at alarming speed and can become life-threatening in a matter of hours.
Ryan commented, “From what I’ve been told, reactions like this can sometimes be linked to dose increases or how an individual’s body responds to a medication, even when it has been prescribed correctly.
Advertisement
“While this is a complex condition and still something that is being understood in real time, the care, urgency, and dedication I received were absolutely incredible.
“I do wish I had been more aware of how serious and fast-moving reactions like this can be, and how important it is to recognise early warning signs and seek immediate help.
“I want to raise as much awareness as possible around the potential dangers of prescribed medication when it is not fully understood by the individual taking it, particularly around side effects, reactions, and the risks that can come with mixing medications.”
With its luxurious skyscrapers, historic temples, and intriguing seaside towns, it’s easy to see why Hong Kong was chose
Neil Shaw Assistant Editor
14:09, 24 Apr 2026Updated 14:09, 24 Apr 2026
The Apprentice has wrapped up another series with Lord Sugar picking beauty entrepreneur Karishma Vijay as his latest business partner. While she gets to work on plans for a £250,000 investment, another standout star of the series is also very much open for business.
The dazzling city of Hong Kong starred in the first episode of the landmark 20th series, when those hoping to impress flitted between glimmering high-rises in search of unusual items. The Apprentice has even put Hong Kong at the centre of a new global trend, “set-jetting”, whereby fans of popular TV programmes make a beeline for locations featured in their favourite show. It also marked the first time Lord Sugar had travelled abroad to take part in an episode in the show’s 20-year history.
Advertisement
With its luxurious skyscrapers, historic temples, and intriguing seaside towns, it’s easy to see why Hong Kong was chosen as an impressive backdrop for this year’s opener. As ever, some candidates fared better there than others – though their travails meant fans got to see new sides of one of the world’s great global hubs.
Amid the hectic rush to obtain all the items requested by Lord Sugar, viewers may have missed some of the spots featured in the episode. So here’s a handy guide to the standouts for any prospective set-jetters.
The Henderson – a boardroom with a view at Cloud 39
For the first time in the show’s history, the famous boardroom left its London base, relocating to The Henderson.
Advertisement
After their task, candidates faced judgment in Cloud 39, high above the city’s commercial heart. The building, recently named World’s Best Property at the International Property Awards, offers sweeping views across Hong Kong’s best skyline from the 39th floor.
The tower itself, designed by Zaha Hadid, is inspired by the bauhinia flower – the city’s emblem – with flowing, sculptural lines that make it one of the most distinctive additions to the skyline. One floor below the glass-walled boardroom is Peridot, where mixologist François Cavelier serves terroir-inspired cocktails best enjoyed against the glow of the city at night, in a lush green interior with around 20,000 light bulbs. A contemporary menu, including inventive plant-based dishes, can also be enjoyed until late.
West Kowloon Cultural District and Palace Museum
West Kowloon Cultural District, otherwise known as WestK, provides the backdrop for the candidates first mad dash to find Lord Sugar’s assorted items, ranging from erhus to shrimp paste.
Advertisement
Spanning 40 hectares with 17 venues, WestK is a hub for visual arts, performing arts, and educational experiences, anchored by the spectacular Hong Kong Palace Museum.
The Museum presents over 900 priceless treasures from the Palace Museum in Beijing, many never previously shown to the public, alongside world-class rotating exhibitions. The waterfront Art Park offers a long harbour promenade ideal for sunset views. From Central, hop the MTR’s Tung Chung Line to Kowloon Station to get there in under ten minutes.
The Big Buddha, Lantau Island – serenity meets suspense
The Tian Tan Buddha – better known as the Big Buddha – sits on Lantau Island, and for the locals it is a place of meditation and contemplation, set amid the cooler mountain air of Ngong Ping. The area has been a centre of Buddhist life since the early 20th Century, with the nearby Po Lin Monastery attracting visitors in search of peace and tranquillity.
Advertisement
The Big Buddha, serving as a breathtaking backdrop, became the finish line for this year’s opening task, with both boys and girls teams racing against time to make their deadline.
For those in less of a panic, the best way to arrive is via the Ngong Ping 360, a cable car offering panoramic views.
Stanley – tradition meets the tide
In Stanley, the boys’ team tracked down a dragon boat head while mapping out their negotiating tactics along the town’s main beach.
Advertisement
Stanley is a laidback coastal spot, well known for its dragon boat racing culture – a tradition that dates back thousands of years. Crews of up to 20 paddlers race long, ornately decorated boats to the beat of a drum, combining sport with centuries-old ritual.
Stanley hosts one of Hong Kong’s most famous dragon boat festivals, with local and international teams competing each year.
To get to Stanley from Hong Kong (Central), visitors can take bus 6, 6X, or 260 from the Exchange Square Bus Terminus (near MTR Central Station/Hong Kong Station).
Aberdeen – a harbour of heritage
Advertisement
In Hong Kong, Aberdeen is a bustling fishing harbour, where life revolves around the water. Seafood restaurants serve freshly caught produce, while one of Hong Kong’s last floating village lines the waterfront – with residents living aboard traditional junks.
During the task, the girls’ team explored its busy market, a favourite with visitors seeking local specialities such as steamed razor clams.
To get to Aberdeen from Central Hong Kong, taking a bus is the most direct option, with routes 70 from Exchange Square or 7 from the Central Ferry Piers taking approximately 20-30 minutes.
Can you follow in their footsteps?
Advertisement
Hong Kong’s blend of cutting-edge architecture, cultural landmarks, and timeless waterfront scenes made for an unforgettable episode of The Apprentice. Though the city proved a formidable challenge for many candidates – prompting one of Lord Sugar’s classic boardroom reprimands – travellers can now explore these sites at their own pace. Best of all, you won’t have to answer to Lord Sugar afterwards.
Relive the excitement and start planning your Hong Kong adventure.
The Apprentice is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.
The man also worked as a police officer when he sexually abused boys
A former scout leader who abused teenage boys across three decades has been jailed. Derek Feast, 81, denied multiple indecent assaults on four teenage boys when Hertfordshire Police traced and interviewed him in July 2024.
Advertisement
Feast denied having sexual conduct with three of the boys, and claimed he had been in a consensual sexual relationship with the other victim. One of the assaults took place at a Norfolk newsagents in 1991. Feast worked there aged 46, and sexually assaulted a 14-year-old boy.
On Wednesday (April 22) at St Albans Crown Court, Feast, now of the Isle of Mull in Scotland, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted for multiple offences at the same court on February 17. These were: 17 counts of indecent assault and gross indecency on four victims. He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.
The court heard how he targeted three of his victims when he volunteered with the Scouts in Hertfordshire, where he also worked as a police officer during the 1970s and early 1980s. The fourth victim, in Norfolk, was sexually assaulted in July 1991. The boy reported the incident to police and Feast was arrested, but no further action was taken.
Another victim, who was aged 12 or 13 at the time, recalled being sexually assaulted on Scout trips, at Scout meetings and at Feast’s home address in Stevenage. A third victim, who was aged 14, was also sexually assaulted by Feast.
Advertisement
A final victim was sexually assaulted by Feast when he was 15, while on a trip and the abuse continued for several years. Detective Constable Beverley Thomson said: “Firstly, I would like to commend all four victims for their courage during the investigation and their incredible bravery in the face of a trial.
“Derek Feast denied any wrongdoing, but his evil acts have had lasting effects on his victims, but I do hope that seeing him sentenced will go some way in helping them to move on from his abhorrent crime.
“We know it can be incredibly challenging to come forward to report incidents of sexual assault. We take reports of sexual offences very seriously and we will do everything we can to ensure that victims feel like their voices are heard and that offenders are brought to justice.”
Detective Inspector Ben Smith added: “I would like to thank the team for their tireless work to bring Feast to justice. This case demonstrates that however long ago a crime was committed – even more than 40 years later – we will track you down and get justice for victims.
Advertisement
“The fact that he was a Scout leader and, shockingly, a police officer at the time, makes his offending even more despicable and I hope any victim feels confident that they can report offences however long ago they were committed, and we will take them seriously and work tirelessly to bring them justice.”
TransPennine Express confirmed that additional stops at Rochdale will be included on select services from York on Saturday (April 25) to account for York’s title-deciding match against Rochdale.
The all-important game kicks off tomorrow at 12.30pm at Rochdale’s Crown Oil Arena.
Recommended reading:
Advertisement
The arena is a nine-minute drive from Rochdale Railway Station or a 40-minute walk.
Trains are set to run without disruption, with many including a change along the way.
But TransPennine Express routes, which will set off from York at 7.17am, 8.19am, 9.20am and 10.20am to Manchester Victoria, stopping off at Rochdale ahead of the match, will run direct.
Speaking about this, a spokesperson for TransPennine Express said: “We’re pleased to be able to add additional stops at Rochdale on selected services from York this Saturday, making it easier for customers to travel to the York City vs Rochdale match.
Advertisement
“These changes will provide more direct journey options and help reduce the need to change trains while engineering work is taking place over the weekend.”
During the trial, the three men had argued that they were defending themselves from Mr Afzal after he and another man emerged from a car.
When interviewed by police after his arrest, Hussain did not comment but gave a prepared statement.
His statement said that Mr Afzal had launched a violent attack on him, but accepted he had stabbed the 19-year-old several times.
At the opening of the trial, Mr Hamilton said that Mr Afzal and his friends had followed a grey Corsa to the Power League complex to target their car.
Advertisement
Mr Hamilton said that on arriving at the Power League, Mr Afzal then got out of his car and approached it with a baseball bat in his hand and opened the door.
This then started the incident that ended with Mr Afzal being fatally stabbed with a blade described as a “Call of Duty” style knife.
Mr Ak, of Norman Grove, Longsight, was found not guilty of murder, while Mr Rayhan, of Chauncy Road, Failsworth, was acquitted of murder and possession of an offensive weapon.
Hussain was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on Friday, April 24.
Mr Nasser Afzal, father of Mohammed Afzal, read a victim’s personal statement aloud to the court in which he described the day of August 1, 2025, as “a day that lives in the depths of my memory uninvited and impossible to escape.”
He said: “No parent should ever have to imagine outliving a child.”
The statement went on to say: “He had a whole future ahead of him with big goals, goals that were never just about himself but about lifting everyone he loved.
Advertisement
“That was who Isa was. Selfless, thoughtful, full of heart.
“That future has now been stolen. Dreams left unfulfilled. Goals that will now never be achieved. A life that will never be lived.”
Mr Afzal said that he buried himself in work “to escape the torment” of remembering his son and that it felt “wrong to smile”.
He went on to say his son had “a pure, generous heart” and “could not tolerate people feeling alone or bullied.”
Advertisement
Addressing the court, he said: “Nothing can undo what has been done, but I ask the court, from one father’s broken heart, to try to understand the lifelong impact this had had on our family.”
He said his family had been left “with a lifetime of grief” that they “will never recover from”.
A second victim personal statement was read aloud to the court by the prosecution from Mohammed Afzal’s cousin, Sana Baber.
The statement described him as “full of love and life” and said that “life feels unbearably unfair”.
Advertisement
It went on to say: “I wanted us to achieve our dreams together.”
It concluded: “If love alone could have saved you, I promise Isa, you would have lived forever.”
The court heard Mohammed Afzal was stabbed seven times within four seconds, one of these being in his back.
Sentencing Hussain, The Honourable Mr Justice Lavender said: “They (Mohammed Afzal’s family) have spoken movingly of the profound loss that you have caused.”
Advertisement
He went on to say: “You stabbed him not once but seven times, with two of the wounds inflicted being capable of killing him.”
He said Hussain disposed of his clothes, the knife, and his phone.
He told the court only a custodial sentence would be justified and sentenced Hussain to seven years in a young offender’s institution, with a 12-month concurrent sentence for possession of a bladed article.
When the sentence was read aloud in court, Mohammed Afzal’s family left the courtroom.
The guests for the afternoon were the Iain Anderson Trio from Langholm.
Biggar Accordion & Fiddle Club gathered for their last meeting of the season on Sunday, April 12.
Advertisement
The guests for the afternoon were the Iain Anderson Trio from Langholm, but firstly the audience enjoyed a wealth of local talent.
On accordions at Biggar Bowling Club were Mark Crawford, Keith Dickson, Hilda Fulton, Adam Gibb, Jim Gold, Sam Gray, David Kennedy Tom Kilean, Fiona Paul, Charlie Todd and James Watson.
Playing piano were Emma Dickson, Keith Dickson, Iona Gold, Jim Gold, Grace Kane and Fiona Paul, while on drums there was Andrew Barrie, Andrew Gibb, David Kennedy, Alex Lyall and Charlie Todd.
The club were also treated to a couple of selections from ten members of the Edinburgh-based Scots Music Group’s Piano Accordion classes: Katie Burns, Sheena Dickson, Maya Forrester, Billy Higgins, Nevil Hopely, Mary Hourigan, Douglas Seath, Hamish Scott, John West and Maggie Wright.
Advertisement
And the guest trio for the afternoon consisted of Iain Anderson from Langholm on lead accordion, Neil MacMillan from Rowardennan on piano and Eric Goodfellow on drums.
The trio entertained with a variety of tempos, many great tunes and quite a bit of light-hearted humour along the way. It was an afternoon thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.
With the season at an end chairman Jim Gold thanked Andrew Barrie and the Biggar Bowling Club for hosting everyone, the ladies for the half-time buffet, the raffle prize donors, the local players for supporting the club and the Iain Anderson Trio for their entertaining programme.
The club resumes on Sunday, November 8.
Advertisement
*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
The new routes will connect passengers to Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, Krakow in Poland, and Reykjavik in Iceland this winter.
Flights to Fuerteventura will begin on October 25, 2026, and will operate twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays.
Services to Krakow will start the day after, on October 26, 2026, with flights departing on Mondays and Fridays.
Advertisement
Connections to Reykjavik will launch the day after that, on October 27, 2026, and will run on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Kevin Doyle, Easyjet’s UK manager, said: “Following the opening of our new base at Newcastle, we’re delighted to be adding three more routes, and several package holiday options, for our customers in the North East.
“These new services to Fuerteventura, Krakow, and Reykjavik provide even greater choice, whether customers are looking for winter sun, a city break, or a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
“Newcastle is a key part of our UK growth, and we’re proud to continue investing in connectivity from the region with great value fares and convenient flight options.”
Advertisement
The Easyjet base at Newcastle only reopened in March.
Fares for the new route start from £25.99.
Read more:
Leon McQuaid from Newcastle Airport, said: “We’re delighted to see further investment at Newcastle Airport with Easyjet’s new winter routes to Fuerteventura, Krakow, and Reykjavik following the opening of their new base.
Advertisement
“These additional services further enhance our growing winter schedule and provide passengers with even more great value flight-only and package holiday options.
“This expansion reflects the strong demand for connectivity from the North East to key European destinations and we look forward to celebrating the launch of Easyjet’s new routes.”
Food lovers are invited to vote for their favourite among the finalists
We are fortunate in Cambridgeshire to have so many incredible options for eating out. Naturally, many of us tend to have our go-to spots, traditions, and those eateries that you dine in only for special occasions.
Advertisement
In what was likely a tricky decision, lifestyle site Muddy Stilettos have created a shortlist for the ‘Best Casual Dining’ award. The shortlist of 10 of the best casual dining spots in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk contains four great spots from our county.
The categories for the awards range from best afternoon tea to best beauty salon, highlighting the diversity of businesses scattered across Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. Food lovers are invited to vote for their favourite among the finalists, before the votes close on May 26 at 1pm. The winners will be announced on June 16.
Take a look at Cambridgeshire’s finalists.
Aromi Cafe in Cambridge
Inspired by Italy, in 2013, four founding family members brought Sicilian spirit to life in Cambridge and opened Aromi. Nowadays, the brilliant brand has three locations across central Cambridge including on Bene’t Street and Fitzroy Street.
The restaurant takes its Italian cuisine very seriously and promises to bring “big flavours, proper family recipes, and everything made fresh”. Aromi offers a variety of different pizzas, arancini, and more.
Bohemia in St Neots
Bohemia offers a variety of breakfast, brunch, and lunch dishes consisting of modern healthy options as well as what they describe as the “finest ground coffee” roasted in their own micro roastery. Reviews have described the establishment as having “one of the best full English breakfasts” with “friendly, happy and attentive” service.
Giovanni’s Pizzeria in Cambridge
Led by owner and head chef Giovanni, this restaurant prides itself on using traditional methods and the finest ingredients to bring “the real flavour of Italy” with a particular focus on Sardinia.
Giovanni’s sells a variety of pizzas, baked dishes including lasagne and a long list of coffees. To fulfil those sweet cravings, the menu also offers a range of different desserts including cakes, brownies and waffles.
The Yard in Ely
The Yard is located in the heart of Ely and was born from a simple idea: that “the city deserved something bold”. The kitchen boasts having seasonal, locally-sourced food alongside having knowledgeable bar staff serving up some classic cocktails.
The venue is known for hosting events including tastings, DJ nights, comedy and quizzes. The Yard has several different menus on offer including pizza, lunch and dinner, Sunday roasts and breakfast menus, with each being reasonably priced.
Graeme Reid, 45, from Uddingston, director of the Monklands Replacement Project (MRP), will take to the capital’s streets on April 26.
The director leading the delivery of NHS Lanarkshire’s new hospital is taking on the London Marathon to raise funds for cancer support charity Maggie’s Lanarkshire.
Advertisement
Graeme Reid, 45, from Uddingston, director of the Monklands Replacement Project (MRP), will take to the capital’s streets on April 26.
He will be fundraising for Maggie’s Lanarkshire, which is currently based at the University Hospital Monklands site and will move to the new hospital campus at Wester Moffat, Airdrie.
Maggie’s Lanarkshire is a strategic partner in the development of the new hospital campus, with plans underway to deliver a new Maggie’s centre alongside the future hospital. Maggie’s centres provide free practical, emotional and psychological support to people affected by cancer and their families, offering a calm, welcoming, non-clinical environment at what is often one of the most difficult times in their lives.
Speaking about his marathon challenge, Graeme said: “I can’t think of a more appropriate charity for my marathon fundraising. Maggie’s is one of our strategic partners and we’re working together to deliver a new Maggie’s Lanarkshire on the future hospital site.
Advertisement
“Maggie’s has centres across the UK providing vital support to individuals and families affected by cancer. The environment they create allows people to access expert advice, reassurance and support when they need it most.
“This challenge also gives me the opportunity to directly support the Monklands Replacement Project’s wider commitment to community benefits and to the communities our new hospital will serve. Marathon training has definitely been a challenge, with plenty of early mornings, long weekend runs and a few moments questioning my life choices — but knowing it’s all in support of Maggie’s has kept me going.
“The money I’m raising will go towards supporting the ongoing running of the existing Maggie’s Lanarkshire centre, helping ensure these vital services continue to be available to people who need them now.”
Lorrie Cameron, centre head at Maggie’s Lanarkshire, praised Graeme’s efforts, saying: “We are incredibly grateful to Graeme for taking on the London Marathon in support of Maggie’s Lanarkshire. His fundraising highlights the strong partnership we have with the Monklands Replacement Project and our shared commitment to supporting people affected by cancer across Lanarkshire.
“Every pound raised helps us to continue offering expert support to people and families at some of the most challenging moments of their lives, both now and as we look ahead to our future centre alongside the new hospital.”
Graeme has already received strong backing from colleagues across the MRP team, including NHS Lanarkshire staff and external partners, who boosted his fundraising through a quiz night.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login