When a man stabbed Jewish people in Golders Green, London, in what police declared a terrorist incident, the story spread fast – through news alerts, social media and the whispered conversations of anxious adults. When this happens, children notice.
Whether they catch a fragment of a TV bulletin, overhear a parent on the phone, or simply sense that something has shifted in the atmosphere at home, the news has a way of reaching them before they are ready. The question isn’t really whether to talk to children about violence and fear; it’s how.
First, it’s important to know that children have the resilience and capacity to process difficult topics, but bear in mind that this needs to happen in a supportive environment.
Start with safety. Ensure your child feels relaxed and secure. Safety comes from routines, keeping daily rhythms and practising rituals that remind everyone you are together and safe – for example, a nighttime story or song, a special time on the couch after dinner.
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Your capacity to deal with issues like violence and fear is the most important factor in contributing to your child feeling safe during these conversations. If you feel overwhelmed or anxious, wait until you feel calmer and more grounded, or have someone to support you with the conversation.
Some families – particularly those who face racism or other forms of discrimination – will already be familiar with these conversations. But if this is new to you, the main thing to do is to be honest and clear. Be direct and specific. Avoid metaphors and euphemisms and vague ideas like “bad people”.
Adjust your language to the child’s age, but don’t overthink it. Simply pause often, ask questions, and watch their face for confusion.
Children don’t stay afraid for long. They move in and out of difficult feelings quickly, which is why short, repeated conversations work better than one big, serious talk.
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Come back to them to check understanding and listen for misunderstandings. Ask them if they have any questions. And don’t be surprised if the child looks particularly bored or disinterested. Children prefer delight and joy and play rather than serious adult conversations. It doesn’t mean they are not listening or appreciating the explanation, it just means their priorities are elsewhere – and that’s a good thing.
It’s important to make them feel safe. LightField Studios/Shutterstock.com
Keeping children grounded amid fear
Limit media exposure and try to avoid talking about scary events around them – they are always listening and there’s huge room for misunderstanding when they hear rather than take part in conversations.
Research shows that if children are exposed to media and talk about fearful events, that it’s important what they hear is mediated through a supportive adult who can explain the content appropriately. They can pick up on the signs of fear and anxiety from adults, particularly in times of uncertainty, even if they can’t fully understand the words in the conversation.
It’s OK to say “I don’t know” to questions you can’t answer. And it’s OK to say: “I know the answer, but it’s too much information for you at your age, I’ll tell you a little bit now and explain more when I think you are old enough.”
Most important of all, for you and your child, look at your circle of safety. Remind your child they are safe here and now with you, that there is a community that you live in and link with who are there to support you and keep you safe. Focus on hope and efficacy and on what can we do right now for the future we want.
This is Moroccan-inspired and very good with roast lamb or spicy barbecued mackerel. If you want to have it on its own, yogurt or labneh are good alongside and, of course, flatbread or couscous. It might seem like a hassle to roast the fennel and tomatoes separately but it does make things easier when you assemble the salad. Each element stays intact.
You can use coriander or mint instead of parsley in the dressing, and extend the salad by adding fresh leaves (rocket, watercress or baby spinach). Just note that if you add leaves you’ll need to make more dressing.
A note allegedly written by Jeffrey Epstein in prison, said to contain the chilling words “time to say goodbye”, has reportedly been locked in a New York courthouse vault since 2019 as the New York Times petitions a judge to unseal it
21:38, 30 Apr 2026Updated 21:38, 30 Apr 2026
A suicide note penned by Jeffrey Epstein while in custody has reportedly remained under wraps for almost seven years.
The disgraced financier’s letter is understood to have been locked away in a vault at a New York courthouse.
A cellmate claimed he came across the note in July 2019, following an incident in which Epstein was discovered unresponsive with a strip of cloth tied round his neck. Epstein survived that episode, but weeks later was found dead in his cell.
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On Thursday, The New York Times petitioned the judge to unseal the note, which said it was “time to say goodbye”, cellmate Nicholas Tartaglione claimed. The note had been sealed by a federal judge as part of the cellmate’s own criminal case, according to documents and interviews.
This meant that investigators looking into Epstein’s high-profile death were denied access to what might have been a crucial piece of evidence. A two-page document within the records reportedly outlines how the scrawled message became embroiled in Tartaglione’s legal proceedings, reports the Mirror.
It was said that Tartaglione’s lawyers authenticated the note, though there is no explanation of how this was done.
Tartaglione did mention the note on a podcast last year, yet the contents of the message were never disclosed, despite widespread demands for openness surrounding the investigation. Since December, the Justice Department has released millions of pages of documents related to Epstein.
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Tartaglione, a former police officer, is currently imprisoned serving four consecutive life sentences for the murder of four individuals. Prison records reveal that a week after Epstein accused his cellmate of assaulting him in July 2019, he subsequently changed his account and claimed they “never had any issues”.
A Justice Department spokeswoman informed the New York Times that the agency hadn’t received it and that the department “underwent an exhaustive effort to collect all records in its possession,” including those from the Bureau of Prisons and the Office of the Inspector General.
Tartaglione claimed he discovered the note hidden inside a graphic novel after Epstein was transferred to a separate section of the facility. The note allegedly stated that investigators “found nothing” from their inquiries into the sex offender, Tartaglione recounted.
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He maintained the message stated: “What do you want me to do, bust out crying? Time to say goodbye.”
Epstein was discovered dead in his cell at a federal detention centre in Manhattan, New York, in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His death was determined to be suicide.
The US president cited the Scotch industry’s relationship with the American bourbon industry and the impact of the royals’ visit to the White House
John Scheerhout Crime reporter and Craig Meighan Press Association Scotland political reporter
21:48, 30 Apr 2026
Donald Trump has said he will remove tariffs on Scottish whisky following a visit from the King and Queen.
The US president cited the Scotch industry’s relationship with the American bourbon industry and the impact of the royals’ visit to the White House. Most Scotch producers source their casks from the US.
President Trump said that while “people have wanted to do this for a long time” the King and Queen “got me to do something that nobody else was able to do”.
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The Scottish and UK governments had been lobbying the Republican to end the 10% tariffs on the industry, as the US is the single biggest market for Scotland’s whisky.
Confirming the news, Mr Trump posted on his Truth Social platform: “In honor of the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, who have just left the White House, soon headed back to their wonderful Country, I will be removing the Tariffs and Restrictions on Whiskey having to do with Scotland’s ability to work with the Commonwealth of Kentucky on Whiskey and Bourbon, two very important Industries within Scotland and Kentucky.
“People have wanted to do this for a long time, in that there had been great Inter-Country Trade, especially having to do with the Wooden Barrels used. The King and Queen got me to do something that nobody else was able to do, without hardly even asking!
“A wonderful Honor to have them both in the U.S.A. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
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Without the intervention, the industry could have seen another 25% in the spring as Mr Trump continues his tariff agenda.
Mr Trump’s previous 25% Scotch tariff between 2019 and 2021 resulted in the sector losing more than £600 million, or £1 million a day, the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) previously said.
The trade body estimates the current 10% tariffs are costing whisky firms £3m in lost exports each week.
In 2025, First Minister John Swinney went to the White House to press the president following discussions during his visit to Scotland.
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Mr Swinney hailed the decision as “tremendous news for Scotland”.
He said: “As First Minister, I have made it my mission to do everything possible to lift US tariffs on our whisky.
“People’s jobs were at stake. Millions of pounds were being lost every month from the Scottish economy.
“Yet despite this, and despite months of trade talks, it was obvious to me that the UK Government had done little to raise the issue of Scotch whisky, and the US president was not aware that there was an issue until he came here to Scotland.
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“By meeting the president during his visit to Scotland and by going to Washington, to the Oval Office, we made Scotland’s case. We worked directly with the Scotch Whisky Association to get Scotland’s voice heard.
“And, we used every chance to drive our point home, not least the State Banquet hosted by His Majesty The King in London last September.”
Mr Swinney said that “hard work” had “paid off” and expressed his thanks to the president “for listening and acting to lift the tariffs”.
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He also said that Scotland was “grateful” to the King for the “key role he played in this tremendous success”.
“Scotland needs a government that is always on Scotland’s side,” he added.
“It needs experienced leadership that is focused on delivering and knows how to get things done at the very highest level.
“That is what we offer and today shows how important it is.”
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Russell Findlay, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives, accused Mr Swinney’s party of being dishonest.
He said: “The King has secured an agreement from the US president to remove tariffs on Scotch whisky. John Swinney is trying to claim credit. Why are the SNP so dishonest?”
The SWA, the industry’s trade body, welcomed the news.
Chief executive Mark Kent said: “This deal is a significant boost for the Scotch Whisky industry in our most valuable export market. Distillers can breathe a little easier during a period of significant pressure on the sector.
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“We are hugely grateful for the sustained efforts on both sides of the Atlantic. For months, many have worked tirelessly to return zero-for-zero tariff trade for whisky and bourbon. The special relationship that the Scotch Whisky and American Whiskey industries share will be reinvigorated by this announcement.
“While challenges in our sector remain, we can now redouble our efforts to boost the benefits our two great industries bring to communities across Scotland and the US.”
Business and trade secretary Peter Kyle said: “This is great news for our Scotch whisky industry, which is worth almost £1 billion in exports and supports thousands of jobs across the UK.
“I have been advocating for lower tariffs on key exports like whisky to protect vital jobs and iconic British brands while strengthening our relationship with the US.”
It is unclear what the future holds for NIE’s meter readers following the announcement from the Economy Minister
Unite the Union, which represents staff at NIE have called for clarity on the future employment for meter readers following the announcement that smart readers are to be rolled out across Northern Ireland.
There are currently 932,000 electricity connections across Northern Ireland. It is estimated that the cost of rolling the meters out across Northern Ireland will be in the region of £500 million.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Instead of financial support or price caps on surging electricity bills, the economy minister is bringing forward the installation of smart meters as a way to reduce household electricity bills.
“Northern Ireland already has the highest levels of fuel poverty – rather than encourage energy rationing we need to see real action to lower or cap costs.”
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Unite regional officer, Joanne McWilliams said: “Unite is demanding that NI Electricity management provides protections for the future employment of meter readers.
“We have also sought assurances that all installations will be completed by professional, directly employed NIE staff, not outsourced to contractors. We will continue to work with the company’s management to secure the best interests of our members – the frontline NIE workforce.”
An NIE spokesperson said: “NIE Networks welcome the publication of the Smart Electricity Meters Design Plan. There remains a lot to be decided, and we look forward to working with partners to develop the detailed programme plan, which will provide more confirmation on how the programme will operate and the skills required.”
From May 23, the venue is brimming with activities such as Mini Beast Safaris, bug hotel building, lawn games, and numerous play spaces.
Inside the house, the Collections Care team has curated an array of engaging pursuits, including an indoor insect discovery programme, conservation insight sessions, and a bug trail.
In addition to these, crafty youngsters can engage in creating their wildlife-themed crafts.
The festive atmosphere continues with classic lawn games in the gardens and grounds from 10am to 6pm daily, promising fun for both the young and the young-at-heart.
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May half term adventures at Harewood (Image: Tom Arber and Harewood House Trust)
An in-house “Bugs and Beasties House Hunt” featuring tiny yet troublesome creatures is scheduled from 10.30am to 3.30pm, alongside interactive wildlife crafts in the Servants Hall.
Dedicated time slots from Monday through Friday have been set for the “Minibeast Safari” from 11am to 12pm and 1pm to 2pm, where families can explore meadows, learning about the vital role of the smallest residents in maintaining the ecosystem.
Those intrigued by conservation can join the Collections Care Team daily for an hour-long “Conservation in Action” session in the Garden Room, starting at 1.30pm.
Here, methods to protect treasures from bugs will be showcased.
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Nature Safari Bags packed with binoculars, compass, torch, magnifying glass, and a map of Harewood will be issued daily from the Membership and Information Hut, facilitating personal adventures from 10am to 4pm.
The Great British Food Festival (Image: Tom Arber and Harewood House Trust)
Come the weekend on May 30 and May 31 from 10.30am to 12pm, families can indulge in building a bug hotel for pollinators on the North Lawn.
The Great British Food Festival returns to Harewood for the bank holiday weekend (May 23-May 25), offering a melange of local and speciality food and drink.
The festival promises live entertainment, children’s activities, chef demonstrations, various competitions, and an abundance of hot food vendors.
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The aromatic celebration goes beyond food by incorporating Great Britain’s rich culinary diversity and a few exotic surprises, offering something for everyone.
To keep the younger audience engaged, the food festival has introduced roaming entertainers, mini-challenges, a kids’ stage, and family bingo, ensuring an all-day enchanted affair for families.
The artist Charlotte Verity will grace the venue with her meticulously observed studies of plants and flowers.
Bugs and Beasties House Hunt (Image: Tom Arber and Harewood House Trust)
Her work will be exhibited across five state rooms, subtly guiding the audience through seasonal transformations.
Capturing nature’s cyclic essence, the exhibition invites visitors to delve into the intricate beauty of nature throughout the year.
Children can navigate through the exhibition space with a free Charlotte Verity-inspired activity booklet, trying their hand at an assortment of artistic skills inspired by the paintings.
Whether you choose to explore the vast gardens and parks or wish to become an honorary member of the Collections Care Team, the activities are said to promise a “day full of creativity and discovery for families in the enchanting realm of Harewood House”.
A former DWP employee with over 40 years’ experience has shared insider tips to help people making a new claim for Personal Independence Payment, Adult Disability Payment, and other disability benefits — and those already receiving them
Linda Howard Money and Consumer Writer and Ashlea Hickin Content editor
20:35, 30 Apr 2026
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that no alterations will be made to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) until a review of the existing eligibility criteria has been finalised. Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms is working alongside disabled groups and charities to co-produce the review, which is anticipated to conclude this autumn.
The SNP Government has stated that individuals receiving devolved disability benefits in Scotland will remain unaffected by modifications to PIP – though this position could shift should Labour secure victory in next month’s election. Adult Disability Payment (ADP) has replaced the DWP benefit for all new and current claimants with a Scottish postcode.
Meanwhile, a former DWP employee with more than 40 years of experience handling State Pensions, working age and disability benefits has offered some insider guidance which may assist people submitting a new claim for PIP, ADP and other disability benefits.
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This advice could also prove extremely valuable for current claimants, as the number of individuals receiving disability benefits continues to hit record levels throughout Great Britain.
The most recent statistics from the DWP and Social Security Scotland reveal there are now more than 3.9 million people claiming PIP, 484,055 on ADP, over 1.7 million pensioners receiving Attendance Allowance and more than 175,700 claiming Pension Age Disability Payment. As the number of people claiming disability benefits continues to rise sharply, Sandra Wrench, a former DWP employee with 42 years’ experience in the welfare system, is encouraging new applicants to “keep a copy of the claim form they submit”, as it could prove invaluable when the award comes up for review, reports the Daily Record.
Submitting claims for PIP, ADP and Attendance Allowance online (limited number per week) makes it straightforward to save a copy to your home computer or laptop for future reference, while those completing a paper form should photocopy the original document before sending it off.
If you do not already have a copy of the PIP 2 evidence form – the health questionnaire you completed prior to your assessment – contact the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433 and request that one be sent to you.
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Retaining a copy will assist you with any future reviews for PIP, or ADP if you have transferred to the Social Security Scotland system.
The form can serve as a useful reminder of the original responses you provided to the daily living and mobility questions, but crucially, it can help you articulate how your condition affects you at present – particularly if your circumstances have changed, your health has deteriorated, or you have developed additional conditions.
The former DWP adviser told the Daily Record: “With PIP, and in some cases Attendance Allowance, the claim is allowed for a certain period of time before it is reviewed, so it is handy to know what you put down on the original claim form.
“One lady I helped with her PIP claim, I got her to keep a copy of her original claim, which made it easier for her to complete her PIP review form when the time came. Your medical condition can sometimes change from the date you submitted your original claim.”
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Regarding Attendance Allowance claims, she added: “It is advisable to get all your medical evidence sorted out before you start completing the form.”
This is owing to the length of the application form, and she explained how collating medical notes, information, and relevant dates for appointments or operations in advance can significantly reduce the time needed to complete the claim. She said: “Once you have catalogued your medical history required for the claim you are halfway there.”
Nevertheless, Sandra cautioned: “Do not try and complete the form in one sitting, as it can be mentally draining.”
The former welfare adviser noted that the most crucial reason for retaining a copy of your original claim form is to ensure you “do not give any conflicting evidence when it comes to a review, which may give DWP reason to scrutinise your case further”.
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She continued: “Also if your claim is disallowed by DWP and you seek help over this, the person looking at your case can see what you have put on the original form as to why it might have been disallowed.”
Other ways to protect future disability benefit payments
Maintaining a diary is amongst the most valuable tools for all disability benefit claimants, and it need not be a paper-based record. Using your mobile phone, computer, laptop or tablet can provide a straightforward means of documenting ‘bad days’ and recording significant moments connected to your condition.
Establishing a dedicated note, complete with time and date, allows you to capture details you may wish to reference during a future PIP review, or simply adding entries to the calendar function.
This doesn’t require daily input, merely noting matters relevant to how your condition impacts you. This might encompass everyday tasks you struggled to complete independently, instances of forgetting medication, or experiencing low mood or frustration stemming from your condition.
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Additional considerations worth documenting would be instances when carrying out everyday activities:
Were painful for you
Take you a long time
Puts you or someone else in danger
Make you feel breathless
Make you unsteady
This form of note-taking, or diary maintenance, proves particularly useful for individuals with fluctuating conditions, as it could facilitate explaining to healthcare professionals the contrast between ‘good days and bad days’. It can also help identify the frequency of notable health events, which can sometimes occur so regularly they slip from memory.
It’s equally vital to retain records of any medical appointments connected to your condition, ensuring your documentation remains current. This may also include counselling or physiotherapy sessions. It may also prove beneficial to reach out to a charity with specialist understanding of your condition, even simply to ensure you’re not overlooking additional support available to you.
For those claiming ADP, you can include a charity or organisation from whom you’ve received assistance or guidance regarding your health condition, long-term illness, or disability, as supporting evidence.
These suggestions represent just a handful of the measures people receiving PIP, ADP or Attendance Allowance can adopt to begin safeguarding their future payment award by building a personal evidence trail that can simplify recalling specific instances of how their condition impacts them.
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A successful new claim for PIP or ADP is now valued between £30.30 and £194.60, some £121.20 and £778.40 every four weeks throughout the 2026/27 financial year.
A successful new claim for Attendance Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment is now valued at either £76.70 (lower rate) or £114.60 (higher rate) each week and as the benefit is typically paid every four weeks, this equates to either £306.80 or £458.40 every pay period. Find out more about making a new claim on GOV.UK.
Monarch of the Glen is coming back to screens – but with a twist (Picture: Ken Mellin/BBC)
A hugely popular Scottish drama is returning to TV after over two decades since it ended – but the revival will have one key difference.
Monarch of the Glen first aired in 2000 and ran on BBC One for seven series, concluding in October 2005 after 64 episodes.
Loosely based on Sir Compton Mackenzie’s Highland novels, the plot followed restaurateur Archie MacDonald (played by Alastair Mackenzie), who is called back to his childhood home, becoming the laird of a huge, decaying family estate in the Cairngorms.
In the final two series, the story focused on new Laird Paul Bowman (Lloyd Owen) and his attempts to modernise the estate.
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Other original cast members included Anna Wilson-Jones as Archie’s girlfriend Justine, Richard Briers as Hector MacDonald, Susan Hampshire as Molly MacDonald, and Dawn Steele as Lexie MacDonald.
The heartwarming drama was pulling in eight million viewers at its peak and is still beloved by audiences today, with all episodes streaming on BBC iPlayer.
The original drama series ran for seven series on the BBC for five years (Picture: BBC)
At its peak, Monarch of the Glen pulled in eight million viewers (Picture: BBC)
However, upon its return 21 years later, there’ll be a notable change, as this time, the lead character will be a woman.
Rebooted in a Channel 5 reimagining, the new series is thought to be casting entirely new stars, although the actors are yet to be revealed.
What we do know is that the main character will be a high-flying London lawyer named Isla Campbell, who returns to the Highlands for the funeral of her estranged father.
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She doesn’t plan to stay for longer than a few days, but soon discovers she’s now inherited £1million of debt and the stress that comes with it, such as the bank’s threats to seize their ancestral home. Her brother, however, refuses to sacrifice it.
Living with her sibling for the first time in years, Isla must find a way to save the estate before they lose it forever.
The new Monarch of the Glen is expected to be a six-part series, produced by Ecosse Films, which was behind the original programme.
The cast for the revival will be entirely new, with stars yet to be announced (Picture: BBC)
Writer Jeremy Brock (known for Amazon Prime’s A Very Royal Scandal, based on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s car-crash Newsnight interview) said he ‘leapt’ at the chance to breathe new life into the nostalgic drama.
‘I’m hugely excited by the opportunity to tell a story of family life and finding your place in our hectic world – one that celebrates the warmth, humour and eccentricities of a special community, with both optimism and authenticity,’ he added following news of the revival.
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‘Hope and joy are a currency in short supply right now, and the Highlands – one of the most magical places on Earth – felt like exactly the right home for them.’
How do you feel about a Monarch of the Glen reimagining?
The original was good enough
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Excitement is already building following the announcement, with @EastieOaks on X saying they ‘looking forward’ to seeing Channel 5 ‘working their magic’ after the broadcaster revived All Creatures Great and Small in 2020.
Some are sceptical, though, with @vickysticky25 it ‘will not be the same’ with a new cast.
All episodes of the original Monarch of the Glen are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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Staff at Osborne House in Selby are holding an exhibition to raise funds for Ward 52 at Leeds General Infirmary, which has cared for Skyla Gentles.
It came after the little girl, who is the granddaughter of Osborne head housekeeper Janet, was found unresponsive by her mum Gema last month.
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Speaking about this, Janet said: “Skyla was unwell on that night and was taken to hospital, where a blood clot was found, which had been caused by bacterial meningitis.
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“She also had a venous stroke and was placed in an induced coma before her brain operation.
“She couldn’t hold her own body weight and struggled to walk and talk.
“But the staff at Leeds Children’s Hospital have been incredible, and she is now slowly getting better.”
Skyla had a venous stroke, which was caused by meningitis (Image: Supplied)
Skyla was allowed to go home recently but is continuing to be monitored by doctors and physiotherapists.
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To celebrate her recovery and the priceless work of those at the hospital, Janet and the care home have organised Sunrise Sunset – an art competition and exhibition at Selby Town Hall for the children and families supported on the ward.
Care home activities and events coordinator, Dawn Guibert, said: “The residents Osborne House wanted to do something to help Skyla and other families and their children being treated in Leeds Hospital.
“Many of our residents have suffered a stroke, have dementia, cancer, and other illnesses due to age and have lost fine motor skills or have limited movement.
“So, we have developed techniques to create wonderful art whatever their ability, using household objects that are easier to handle than paint brushes and felt pens.
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“The residents had been working hard to create artwork in view of holding a fundraising event for Skyla’s ward.
“And that’s when we created the Sunrise Sunset event.”
Staff and residents at Osborne House have joined to raise vital funds for Leeds Hospitals Charity (Image: Supplied)
The fundraiser is scheduled to take place from 12pm till 4pm on Friday (September 4).
A raffle, refreshments and art will be sold on the day.
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It adds to donations already raised through a GoFundMe page, organised by staff.
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