1 day agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Major bank to axe key bank account perk for thousands of customers within days
A major bank will axe a key bank account perk for thousands of customers in a matter of days.
Halifax, part ofLloyds Banking Group, is getting rid of “Extras” for Rewards current account holders.
PA:Press AssociationHalfiax is set to make a change to one of its customer accounts in days[/caption]
The bank currently charges a £3 monthly fee to run this bank account and customers are given freebies in return for hitting certain targets.
For example, customers can get £5 paid into their bank account or a free cinema ticket if they either spend £500 on their debit card each month or hold a balance of over £5,000.
Halfiax has plans to close down this service come September, meaning customers who meet these targets will no longer get a reward.
To prepare for this, Halifax has told customers that from June 17 they will no longer be able to add Reward Extras to their account or renew an existing Reward Extras offer.
But it is not all bad news as the bank is axing the service to make way for a number of new features.
Currently, Halifax charges a £3 monthly fee to run this bank account and customers are given freebies in return for hitting certain targets.
For example, customers can get £5 paid into their bank account or a free cinema ticket if they either spend £500 on their debit card each month or hold a balance of over £5,000.
But the bank has plans to close down this service come September, meaning customers who meet these targets will no longer get a reward.
This includes fee-free debit card spending abroad and a £100 interest free arranged overdraft to existing and new eligible Reward account customers.
Rewards customers are currently charged a 2.99% fee for using their debit card abroad.
That means customers are currently charged an extra £2.99 for using their debit card to pay £100 abroad.
This change will come into effect on August 1.
Customers who meet the requirements will also be allowed to enter into a £100 overdraft and not face any interest.
The packaged account provides extra benefits including a Disney plus subscription, cashback rewards, and access to linked savings accounts with preferential interest rates.
Skipton Building Society also recently lowered the interest on a total of 92 types of savings accounts.
How do I switch bank accounts?
SWITCHING bank accounts is a simple process and can usually be done through the Current Account Switch Service (CASS).
Dozens of high street banks and building societies are signed up – there’s a full list on CASS’ website.
Under the switching service, swapping banks should take seven working days.
You don’t have to remember to move direct debits across when moving, as this is done for you.
All you have to do is apply for the new account you want, and the new bank will tell your existing one you’re moving.
There are a few things you can do before switching though, including choosing your switch date and transferring any old bank statements to your new account.
You should get in touch with your existing bank for any old statements.
When switching current accounts, consider what other perks might come with joining a specific bank or building society.
Some banks offer 0% overdrafts up to a certain limit, and others might offer better rates on savings accounts.
And some banks offer free travel or mobile phone insurance with their current accounts – but these accounts might come with a monthly fee.
1 day agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Morrisons & Sainsbury’s told to make major change to stores as government warns supermarkets ‘stop promoting’ product
SAINSBURY’S and Morrisons have received a stern warning from the government in relation to a popular product.
The two major chains have been instructed to stop “promoting” the item as they could be in breach of the law.
GettyThe government has issued a stern warning to Morrisons and Sainsbury’s[/caption]
Getty - ContributorThe Government wants to end any advertising of heated tobacco products[/caption]
According to the BBC, the two supermarkets received a letter instructing them to remove any adverts which displayed heated tobacco products.
Heated tobacco differs from cigarettes and vapes as it uses an electrical current to directly warm up the tobacco.
The ban covered any products which could be “smoked, sniffed, sucked or chewed”.
Since the heated tobacco products produce a vapour – not a smoke – advertising laws are much murkier.
Speaking about the letter, a spokesperson for Sainsbury’s said: “We offer a range of age-restricted products under our strict Think25 policy, including this heated tobacco device which is advertised.
“This is an alternative to cigarettes and is fully compliant with current legislation. We recognise the deeply complex and emotive nature of this topic.
“We remain in close contact with the Government and industry partners and are planning our transition to ensure we also comply with planned incoming legislation.”
A spokesperson for Morrisons said: “We only received a letter at the end of May.
“We are just in the process of reviewing it and will respond back to the Department for Health and Social Care in due course.”
The Department of Social Care have been approached for comment by The Sun.
Previously, a Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) spokesperson told the BBC: “In May, we wrote to supermarkets reiterating that the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002… applies to all tobacco products currently on the market, and formally requested they stop advertising and promoting heated tobacco products in stores.
“All tobacco products are harmful to health.”
The proposed Tobacco and Vapes Bill will tighten existing advertisement laws and has received the backing of prominent Labour politicians, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Baroness Meron.
So far, the bill has passed in the House of Commons and awaits the approval of the House of Lords.
Another key component of the bill is a proposed ban on the sale of tobacco to people born on or after 1 January 2009.
It is hoped that this will create a “smokefree generation”, driving down cancer rates and other health problems.
1 day agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Meet the glamorous Soccer Aid WAGs… from Emmerdale star to lads mag legend and boxer’s wife who terrifies her husband
IT’S one of the most anticipated – and entertaining – matches in the football calendar.
GettyGary Cahill, Paddy McGuinness and Samantha Quek of England pose for a photo with the trophy following victory in Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2024 at Stamford Bridge[/caption]
InstagramTV presenter Zara will be on the sidelines supporting new love Louis Tomlinson[/caption]
PALouis is on the same team as her ex, Sam Thompson[/caption]
SplashSam competed a gruelling challenge to raise money for UNICEF ahead of Soccer Aid and has since pulled out of the match with an injury[/caption]
The annual charity event, which kicks off at 7:30pm on Sunday at Old Trafford, has raised over £106million for the humanitarian organisation through ticket sales and generous public donations since it was founded by singer Robbie Williams in 2006.
And as is customary, both teams will be cheered on from the sidelines by their glamorous other halves. Here we take a look at the line-up of wives and girlfriends.
And she might be relieved to hear there won’t be any awkward run-ins with her ex Sam Thompson, as he’s been forced to pull out due to injury.
Zara, 28, and ex-Made in Chelsea star Sam, 32, split in December last year, after five years together.
She was first linked to the One Direction singer, 33, in March and they’ve since been spotted cosying up on dates.
The couple recently enjoyed a holiday to Costa Rica, with a source telling The Sun: “Louis and Zara are going from strength to strength.”
In March Zara’s friends voiced their concerns about Sam, who they claimed was a “loose cannon” who “never wanted to let her go” following their break-up.
AlamyStunning Tiana will also be on the sideline supporting husband Martin Compston[/caption]
InstagramThe couple have been married since 2016 and share a son[/caption]
Martin opened up about meeting his wife at a bar during happy hour, when she was working there as a hostess.
He admitted she didn’t have a clue who he was, while he was “a right few [drinks] in”.
“She was kind of forced to put up with me and my pal for several hours,” he told the Scottish Daily Express. “It’s just amazing that we walked into that bar on that day and I think about it and go, ‘If I didn’t, then…’ You know, she’s my wife and we have a kid together now.”
Martin had a promising football career before he took up acting, having played for Aberdeen as a teenager.
Danniella Carraturo
Instagram/dannipilatesDanniella is married to singer Tom Grennan[/caption]
GettyThey tied the knot last year and keep their personal life quite private[/caption]
Singer Tom Grennan, 30, will be supported by his wife of a year, Danniella.
The brunette beauty, from Ireland, is a Pilates instructor who regularly shows off her stunning physique on Instagram.
Danniella and Tom tend to keep their personal life pretty private, but during his tour of Australia he revealed how the couple met.
He told the Kyle & Jackie O Show they initially met in a lift before bumping into each other again in a hotel smoking area.
But the Little Bit of Love crooner wasn’t particularly smooth when it came to making his move.
He said: “I leant in for a kiss, and she was like, ‘What the hell are you doing?’”
But he clearly upped his game as they tied the knot in Majorca last year.
Rachael Bellew
InstagramFormer boxer Tony Bellew met his wife when they were children[/caption]
InstagramThey didn’t have a romantic spark until years later when they reconnected[/caption]
Former boxer Tony Bellew will be supported by his childhood sweetheart and wife-of-seven-years Rachael.
The couple first met when Tony was just nine years old, but their relationship turned romantic when they reconnected while the boxer was working in a nightclub aged 18.
They share three sons – Corey, Cobey and Carter.
Strong-willed Rachael is allegedly part of the reason her husband took a step back from boxing in 2018.
Tony, 42, revealed that she was fed up with him always looking for his next fight – and was furious that he watched boxing during their honeymoon.
He recalled: “If I don’t stop after this then she is going to divorce me and I have only been married four or five months.”
Thankfully, he headed his wife’s warning and the couple are still happily married.
But he did admit before matches that the only person he is scared of is Rachael, joking: “I’m more frightened of my missus than you. I wouldn’t f***ing dare cross her. I wouldn’t mess with her.”
Rachael headed to Australia to support him in I’m A Celeb in 2023 and will be pitch side this weekend.
Melanie Vaz Lopez
InstagramStunning Melanie has been described by boyfriend Steven Bartlett as his greatest achievement[/caption]
InstagramSteven flew across the world to win her back after they split[/caption]
Dragon’s Den star Steven Bartlett tends to be tight-lipped when it comes to his personal life, but he has been dating French influencer Melanie for several years.
She too is a businesswoman and has built brands in the beauty and wellbeing sectors, as well as being trained in Reiki healing.
Stunning Melanie has also published a recipe book of vegan dishes and runs nutrition guide Booty Academy.
The couple first got together in 2016 but split after a year because Steven was too focused on work to commit.
But he realised his mistake and in 2022 he jetted to Bali to win her back.
“Getting myself into a loving relationship with a wonderful woman has totally been my greatest achievement,” he gushed to The Sun.
“I wasn’t sure if that was going to be possible for me, because what I learned about love at a young age was not very good. It was quite toxic.”
Janine Viljoen
instagram/bryanhabana_South African rugby legend Bryan Habana often posts tributes to his wife Janine[/caption]
GettyHe refers to Janine as his lioness for keeping their family together[/caption]
South African rugby star Bryan Habana will be supported by his stunning wife Janine.
The couple have been married since 2009 – and while he was playing all over the world, she doggedly built up her own fitness business.
And 14 years of marriage haven’t dulled the Springbok’s love for his wife. He posted in May: “To the Lioness of our tribe… The real MVP… The one that makes our house a home… Thank you for being the most incredible mother to our two boys.
“For carrying the load when I’m not around.. for always putting us first.”
Janine is reported to have a degree in Sports Science which has bolstered her reputation in the fitness business.
The couple share an 11-year-old son, Timothy Jacob.
Kimberly Crew
BackGridKimberly has been married to goalie Joe Hart for 10 years[/caption]
GettyOver the years she has been reguarly seen in the stand supporting her husband[/caption]
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart will be watched from the sidelines by his wife Kimberly.
The couple began dating in 2009 but like to keep their private life out of the spotlight.
In 2015 they married in a stunning ceremony in Florence, Italy.
Kimberly, who was often seen cheering on her husband at matches, is believed to have worked as a beautician.
In 2014 the couple welcomed their son, Harlow, who they don’t share photos of on social media.
Joe is sure to be looking for his wife on the sidelines when back on the pitch this weekend. He told The Telegraph back in 2013: “I notice everything. It’s weird. I notice the fans, the banners, where my family and friends are sitting. I feel very aware and involved.”
Sheree Murphy
GettySheree is famous in her own right as an actress and TV presenter[/caption]
News Group Newspapers LtdSheree met ex Leeds United player Harry Kewell in 2009 in a chance encounter[/caption]
Australian footballer Harry Kewell, 46, will be supported by his TV presenter wife Sheree Murphy, 49.
Brit Sheree is known for her acting roles in soaps Emmerdale and Hollyoaks, and for presenting Yes Chef! on BBC1.
The couple met in 2009 after they ran into each other at Majestyk nightclub in Leeds while Harry was playing for Leeds United.
After two years together they had a spontaneous wedding in Las Vegas and have since welcomed four children – son Taylor, 24, and daughters, Ruby, 22, Matilda, 17, and Dolly, 13.
But his high profile hasn’t made things easy for their marriage, as he has been the target of other women’s amorous attentions.
“It’s not nice when any girl comes up to your fella and comes on to them, whether they’re in the public eye or not,” Sheree said in 2015.
“My husband has never been the sort to go out and live it large, so I’ve always been quite lucky and haven’t had that many bad experiences.
“But I’ve had a few rows with a few girls who have hit on him right in front of me, although that was more back in the day.”
Gemma Atkinson
InstsagramGemma Atkinson has been in the spotlight for decades thanks to her acting and presenting work[/caption]
InstsagramGemma met Gorka while on Strictly Come Dancing back in 2017[/caption]
Gorka Marquez, 34, is swapping his dancing shoes for football boots – and his gorgeous fiancée Gemma will be there to cheer him along.
The actress, 40, met the Spaniard while competing on Strictly Come Dancing and the couple started dating in 2018.
They share two children – Mia, five, and one-year-old Thiago – and have been engaged since 2021.
Gemma is known for her work in Hollyoaks and Emmerdale, and was a lad’s mag favourite in the early 2000s.
The couple are waiting to tie the knot until their children are older and can be fully present.
Gemma said: “We’d like Thiago to be involved now so we’re going to have to wait another year or so.
“When we first got engaged we said we’ll get Mia walking down the aisle and then Thiago came along… and there’s no time!”
1 day agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Soccer Aid 2025 announce late call-up for Brazil legend, 53, just hours before kick-off
BRAZIL legend Rivaldo has been announced as a stunning late addition to the Soccer Aid 2025 lineup.
The 53-year-old legend, who last graced the pitch professionally back in 2015, is making a sensational return for the charity event.
Rivaldo has been announced as a late call-up for Soccer Aid 2025Tyson Fury and Wayne Rooney will also be involved
His addition was announced 9:30pm on Saturday evening, less than 24 hours to start of the game which is schedule to kick off at 7:30pm tonight.
Wearing the blue and black kit of the Rest of the World team, Rivaldo’s return is one that adds to the growing importance of the game.
Fans are already buzzing with excitement at the thought of seeing the Ballon d’Or winner back on the field.
Brazilian Rivaldo, whose dazzling footwork and lethal finishing made him one of the greatest players of his generation, has kept a relatively low profile in the football world since his retirement.
But now it seems the urge to play again – especially for a cause like Soccer Aid — has proved too strong to resist.
One fan on X said: “I swear, if a similar announcement of Totti appears on here, last minute, I will lose my head. You’ve been warned.”
Then another one read simply: “This is so cool as a real legend will be playing.
The stage is set for a thrilling evening, as Rivaldo prepares to line up alongside global superstars like Usain Bolt, David Beckham, and Michael Owen.
1 day agoUSA UpdateComments Off on ‘Need to cut him’ – Fans call for UFC star Rodolfo Bellato to be AXED after controversial ‘dive’ leads to no-contest
UFC fans have called for Dana White to axe Rodolfo Bellato for seemingly pretending to be knocked out by an illegal upkick from Paul Craig.
The pair’s rescheduled light-heavyweight showdown in Atlanta ended in a No Contest this morning after the Brazilian was deemed unable to continue after being kicked in the face.
This guy Bellato legit just faked being knocked out for a DQ hahahah. This was insane. Look at him asking for the call before he pretends to go out cold. With all due respect pic.twitter.com/xpDuOrGVTH
SHUTTERSTOCKPaul Craig’s rescheduled showdown with Rodolfo Bellato ended in controversy[/caption]
SHUTTERSTOCKCraig caught the Brazilian with an illegal upkick seconds before the end of the first round[/caption]
SHUTTERSTOCKBrazilian Bellator appeared to be knocked out by the strike[/caption]
SHUTTERSTOCKBut replays appeared to show the 29-year-old was still conscious as he theatrically fell backwards[/caption]
Scottish submission specialist Craig struck a postured-up Bellato – who had one knee on the canvas – with the kick seconds before the end of the first round.
Bellato initially looked like he’d been knocked out by the strike as he lay on the canvas with his arms sprawled out.
But replays showed the Dana White‘s Contenders Series contract winner was still conscious as he theatrically fell to the mat.
Bellato seemingly regained consciousness very quickly and, in an apparent daze, tried to protect himself by scooting his back to the cage wall.
The former LFA champion was deemed unable to keep fighting, resulting in the contest being ruled a No Contest.
MMA fans weren’t convinced Bellato was genuinely hurt by the upkick and took to X to call for the UFC to cut the 29-year-old for play-acting.
One wrote: “Rodolfo Bellato faked a brutal KO just to try and get a cheap win over Paul Craig.
“What a complete embarrassment!!! The UFC needs to cut him immediately.”
ALAMYRodolfo Bellato was deemed unable to continue the contest[/caption]
GETTYUFC fans have called for Dana White to axe Rodolfo Bellato for his apparent playacting[/caption]
Another said: “Cut his a** immediately!
And another said: “I told my son right away he was obviously faking, thinking Craig would be disqualified. Absolutely insane.”
One remarked: “Bro protested and faked being concussed all in the space of five seconds. Embarrassment to the sport.”
Another chimed in: “Yeah, Dana should fire this guy immediately. Who does that?”
One stunned viewer said: “That dive by Bellato was top tier.”
Craig addressed the narrative that Bellato flopped in his post-fight press conference, saying: “A few people messaged me regarding this.
I don’t want to think any fighter is looking for an easy way out in this sport.”
Paul Craig on Rodolfo Bellato's apparent playacting
“And they’re saying that it looked a bit floppish, like he was maybe hamming it up.
“I don’t want to think any fighter is looking for an easy way out in this sport. We’re all fighters.
“We’re all in the UFC, the pinnacle of our careers, and we’re looking to put on a performance.
“But I can see where people are looking at and think it looks a bit ‘floppishly’, ‘he’s maybe taking a dive.’
“I don’t really think that, but I’ll need to watch it back. It’s raw at the moment.”
1 day agoUSA UpdateComments Off on We had to launch Mission Impossible-style hospital escape to bring my boy home to die – I won’t get over the trauma
A TEENAGER with just days to live was forced to evade security guards as he fled through a hospital, before jumping into a getaway car – just so he could die at home.
Teddie Marks, 18, was wheelchair-bound, with his legs swelled up from cancer but was able to show off his athletic prowess one last time during the comedic mad dash.
Jay MarksTeddie Marks died from a rare and aggressive cancer[/caption]
Teddie with his heartbroken mum JayJay MarksJay MarksThe teen was forced to flee the hospital[/caption]
Mum Jay – who is campaigning for more access to grief counselling for bereaved families – explained how everything had been put in place to allow her son to receive palliative care at the family’s home in Braintree, Essex.
However, at the last minute, as they left University College London Hospital they were confusingly told Teddie had to stay, against his wishes.
Security was called and they were to be blocked from leaving – but the adventurous young man was having none of it.
Mum-of-three Jay, 42, said: “He’s 18, they got all his paperwork ready, they gave us all his medication, they said to us he was going to be blue-lighted because from UCLH to Braintree it’s a bit of a drive.
“Then they said they were going to get a normal ambulance but I would have to sign responsibility for him, which was fine… then we’re told that’s been cancelled.”
Jay continued: “In the end, the palliative care nurse fitted him up with a 24-hour pump so that we could get him home and hook him up to the machine.”
‘That makes no sense’
The family then got into a lift on the 15th floor with the palliative care nurse, alongside a “bag of medication” and all of Teddie’s things from weeks of being in and out of hospital – when they hit another speed bump.
“On the way down she had a call and she was like ‘right okay’, then she said ‘they’ve called security’,” explained Jay.
“We were like what? That makes no sense because she was with us and he’d been discharged.
“Teddie was an adult and sound of mind, and he’d told them he wanted to go home.”
Not wanting to stick around to find out what was going on, Teddie, who was being pushed in a wheelchair, as well as his mum and dad Joseph, and two other relatives, bolted.
“When the lift doors opened on the ground floor we ran, we were gone,” said Jay.
“We were literally running through the hospital and the nurse was shouting ‘stop!’
“They didn’t catch up to us, and poor Teddie, he jumped in the car, bearing in mind his legs were all swollen, he had lymphedema where the fluid wasn’t going back upwards because of where the tumour was sitting.
You’ve never seen him move so fast. He jumped out of the wheelchair, jumped in the car and went ‘drive!’
Jay MarksMum of Teddie
“You’ve never seen him move so fast,” continued Jay. “He jumped out of the wheelchair, jumped in the car and went ‘drive!’”
Joseph’s two aunts, who had been with them at the hospital, stayed behind and later told the family the nurse burst into tears.
“She was crying and she was saying ‘I’m happy they got to go’ because it wasn’t her that had called security – it had been higher up,” explained Jay.
“They’d already given him his discharge papers and everything we needed, it made no sense. It’s funny to look back on now, what everyone else must have been thinking.”
Jay MarksTeddie was just 18 when he passed away[/caption]
Jay MarksJay and Teddie as a toddler[/caption]
Jay MarksTeddie (centre) with his sister Robyn and brother Harrison[/caption]
That was on July 12 2024 and on the 14th Teddie finally passed away.
It had been a tough journey since his shock diagnosis at age 16 in 2022 with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of cancer that starts as a growth of cells in soft tissue.
“It’s quite rare but quite aggressive, and it tends to come back even if you get rid of it,” explained Jay.
“He did have a six-month period when he got rid of the cancer, and then he relapsed in July 2023, and then we’ve had a long battle.”
Trips to Germany
The family was told there was nothing more the NHS could offer and so they spent tens of thousands of pounds, via GoFundMe, to travel to Germany multiple times – the last of which was days before Teddie died.
“We’d been seeing different professors that had tried different treatments,” said Jay. “Unfortunately, the last professor we tried, he was having some success, and the month after that treatment, Teddie was feeling much better.
“All the swelling in his legs had gone down, he was feeling much better, but by that time the cancer had spread and we didn’t catch it.”
Teddie knew he was dying as he’d flown to Germany the last time, but didn’t want to give up.
“His words were ‘I’m not going to die without trying’,” said Jay. “He was fighting the whole time.”
Asked if he’d been able to get alternative treatment sooner she believes her son could have survived, Jay said: “I think so. The NHS will say ‘no, no’ but they are so ignorant to what is out there in Europe, it’s unbelievable.”
Jay MarksTeddie was a talented footballer[/caption]
Jay MarksJay described him as the ‘perfect’ child[/caption]
Jay MarksThe teen was originally diagnosed with cancer in 2022[/caption]
After Teddie relapsed in March 2023 he was given an operation and it was “made clear” by the consultants that they’d “tripled checked” with the surgeons that Teddie’s cancer could be removed with “clear margins”, said Jay.
“Because if it couldn’t they weren’t going to touch it. They said ‘the surgeons are really sure’.”
“After the operation, as soon as Teddie came round, he said ‘did you get it with clear margins?’ and they said ‘we can’t be sure’.
“It must not have been checked properly,” Jay said. “When he had scans four to six weeks after the op, nodules had appeared.
“I think at that point if we’d gone to Germany, Teddie would have stood a better chance.”
£100,000 in 24 hours
The GoFundMe page set up to help the teen receive alternative treatments “went over £100,000 in the first 24 hours”, said Jay.
“GoFundMe got in touch to say they had never seen one go up that quickly.”
All of that and more went on private testing and treatments abroad.
“I can’t sit here and say don’t listen to the NHS because overall they were amazing, but it’s frustrating that there are these treatments out there,” said Jay.
“Don’t get me wrong, the hospital was amazing, especially the nurses who go above and beyond.”
Jay MarksTeddie playing video games in hospital[/caption]
Jay MarksHe battled cancer bravely for two years[/caption]
Jay MarksTeddie even passed his driving test while he underwent chemo[/caption]
But with all other hope lost, with the help of Farleigh Hospice, in Braintree, Teddie was able to die in the comfort of his own home.
“He knew what he was going home for,” said Jay. “It was absolutely heartbreaking because you know you are saying bye to your child.
“We sat up every night. He had his family here, his aunts, his uncles and his cousins.
‘Don’t be depressed’
“At one point, Teddie said ‘don’t be depressed, put some music on’,” she added, laughing.
Teddie had always been the one to keep the family’s spirits up, even throughout his illness.
“He was such a good boy,” said Jay. “There were days after he got diagnosed where I couldn’t get up, couldn’t function and he would come in and say to me, ‘up you get, Mum’.
“He had such strong faith, he was quite religious – even when Teddie was dying, he had all the family here and was cuddling his girl cousins and he said ‘don’t cry for me, I know where I’m going.’
“That boy was absolutely something else.”
Teddie had first been getting pain in August 2021, and by November he was “in agony” and “was up three or four nights straight”, said Jay, who took him to A&E multiple times.
However, they were sent away again and again and told to take over the counter painkillers.
Jay MarksHe didn’t let cancer stop him from remaining positive[/caption]
Jay MarksTeddie was even joking with his family on his death bed[/caption]
The SunUniversity College London Hospital, where Teddie was treated[/caption]
Jay said Teddie was “very robust”, he was captain of Chelmsford City EJA, but even his pain threshold was being pushed to the limit.
Eventually, the family paid for a private doctor and MRI scan, then an operation which found abscesses.
The doctor sent off for a biopsy at UCLH and then a week later a phone call confirmed the worst.
“It was during lockdown so everything was a bit dodgy,” said Jay. “I got told over the phone that Teddie had cancer and was given a treatment plan.”
During his treatment Teddie refused to stop, and passed his GCSE Maths and English – the latter to an A* standard – while undergoing chemotherapy. And even passed his driving test.
But while his memory lives on, Jay is still as heartbroken now as she was a year ago.
‘You can’t prepare yourself’
“You know it’s coming but you can’t prepare yourself,” she said of her son’s death.
“I can’t put it into words, it’s coming up to a year but I’m still devastated every day. Me and his dad, brother and sister, and his nan. There’s not a day that goes by that we don’t cry.”
She added, of her children: “They’ll always be my babies.”
Taking up the baton left by Teddie, his mum is now campaigning herself to raise awareness about the wait times families must endure to receive grief counselling.
After filling out a form she was told by the hospice the waiting list is nine to 12 months.
Jay said: “Last week I had an email from Farleigh saying they’ve got this session thing, it’s not one to one counselling, there’s other people there.
“There’s 10 spaces and to get back to them if I wanted a place.
“I saw the email, 40 minutes later, by the time I got back they’d emailed me saying all the spaces had gone.”
Jay said she had another email from the hospice asking since it was a “considerable amount of time since I put my application in for counselling, have my circumstances changed?”
“They did get an email back saying ‘my circumstances haven’t changed, unfortunately my son hasn’t risen from the dead, I’m still grieving and still in need of support’.
She continued: “It’s not going to change. I just can’t get my head round that it can take this long to sort… any grief is bad, but when you’ve lost your child, I can’t explain it. It’s unexplainable.”
Jay went on to say: “I said to my doctor, ‘they’re lucky I’m not suicidal’. If he was my only child maybe I would be suicidal but I have two other children who I need to look after.
It’s not going to change. I just can’t get my head round that it can take this long to sort… any grief is bad, but when you’ve lost your child, I can’t explain it. It’s unexplainable.
Jay MarksMum of Teddie
“I carry the family’s grief. My daughter, her and Teddie were 10 months apart – she’s got ASD, so she’s on the spectrum, and Teddie was her comfort blanket.
“She struggles really badly. Then my eldest son, who’s 23 now, he will just struggle silently.
“I feel like I have to carry on because I don’t want them to see my grieving and think they’ve got to carry my grief.”
She added: “I do feel passionately that there are parents going through this and you have to wait a year. We can’t go privately.
“My husband sold his company when Teddie got diagnosed because we were backwards and forwards to UCLH. He’s a caretaker now and I’m a support assistant in a school.”
Jay said: “I’ve lost people but nothing compares to losing your child, especially when you’ve watched your child go through what he did for two and a half years.
“You get a lot of flashbacks, I’m sure it’s PTSD. You’re replaying stuff continuously. It’s traumatising when you hear your baby, though he was 18, in the night screaming in agony.
“It’s traumatising to remember the running from the hospital, the taking him to Germany when he was in agony.”
She described Teddie as “my best mate”, adding: “I know parents say that about their kids but he was like my right arm.
“He was always with me, we were always together. We had the same sense of humour. We were always laughing.
“No one could get you in tears of laughter like Teddie could. For me, I’m still completely lost.”
Michelle Kabia, Interim Chief Executive at Farleigh Hospice, said: “Ensuring that the families of our patients receive the best quality support throughout their loved ones illness and afterwards is our absolute priority.
“Our bereavement support services are offered free of charge to anyone within mid Essex.
“As a result they are in incredibly high demand, as reflected in our current waiting lists, which we are actively working to reduce.
“We regularly stay in touch with people on the waiting list to check how they are, offer interim bereavement support options while they wait for one to one counselling, and check whether their circumstances have changed, as people may have accessed alternative support or moved out of the area.
“We welcome all feedback and are continually looking to improve our services. We would be very happy to have a further conversation with the family.”
The Sun has also approached University College Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for comment
AlamyGardeners are being warned of a potential hosepipe ban this summer[/caption]
However, although Brits across the country have enjoyed revelling in the unusually balmy weather, the heat has led to a drought in the northwest of England.
The chief executive of the water company, Chris Weston, said that whilst he doesn’t think they will run out of water, they may have to curb customer usage.
He added that Thames Water has “learned its lesson” after the company almost ran out of water in 2022.
“I am confident that we won’t run out of water,” he told a committee of MPs.
“I am not confident that we won’t have to restrict usage because that will depend on what theweatherdoes and what rainfall happens between now and the summer.”
This could mean gardeners could be banned from using their hosepipes for watering the garden.
What happens during a hosepipe ban?
When a Temporary Usage Ban, or hosepipe ban is put in place by a water company, customers are not allowed to use hoses for watering flowers, washing cars, or for water fights.
Instead they are encouraged to use watering cans or buckets for any outside tasks that require water.
To conserve water, ahead of a potential ban, there are three essential task that gardeners should do.
Firstly, you can use water butts to collect rainwater.
You can also try watering plants in the morning or late in the evening, when the water doesn’t get evaporated as quickly.
In the home, you can help to conserve water by having quicker showers, and making sure the tap is turned off when you brush your teeth.
How to keep cool in a heatwave
Most of us welcome hot weather, but when it's too hot, there are health risks. Here are three ways to keep cool according to the NHS...
Keep out of the heat if you can.
If you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter.
Cool yourself down.
Have cold food and drinks, avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks, and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes.
Keep your living space cool.
Close windows during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down. Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35 degrees. Check the temperature of rooms, especially where people at higher risk live and sleep.
When did the UK last have a hosepipe ban?
Back in June 2023, South East Water implemented a hosepipe ban that affected parts of Kent and Sussex.
The ban was lifted in July, after a rainy period of weather.
In 2022, five water companies imposed hosepipe bans on a total of 19 million people, after a long period of hot weather.
The longest hosepipe ban in the UK was in 1976, when restrictions where in place for 98 days, from June to October.
An exceptionally hot summer led to extreme drought which affected most of southern England.
During the ban, water use was limited to essential activities such as drinking, cooking and washing.
1 day agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Amazon is selling a ‘self-sufficient’ tiny home kit for $9,600 – it comes with detailed instructions for easy assembly
IF you’re stressing about your credit score preventing you from becoming a homeowner, don’t worry.
Amazon shoppers can now get their foot on the property ladder with a quick click.
AmazonAmazon shoppers can pick up a ‘self-sufficient’ tiny home kit for just $9,600[/caption]
AmazonAmazon users can customize the layout of their tiny home kit before purchasing[/caption]
And there’s no need for mortgage applications or real estate viewings with thishome.
Complete with solar-ready design, this house with help you “achieve independence” and go off-grid.
This self-sufficient prefab house is designed for “remote and sustainable living”.
The solar features allow you to “harness renewable energy for daily needs”.
Designed for self-sufficient living, the house comes with provisions for solar panel integration.
‘COMPACT YET FUNCTIONAL’
This tiny home is constructed with sustainable materials and offers a “compact yet functional layout”.
So if you’re environmentally-conscious, this prefab house could be perfect for you.
As well as guaranteeing an “eco-friendly and autonomous lifestyle”, this house boasts a weather-resistant build, making it “suitable for various climates”.
The home is customizable and can be tailored to various models, so potential buyers are advised to contact manufacturers in advance.
No matter what layout you opt for, this space is said to be “compact and functional”.
There is an “efficient use of space”, helping to accommodate “essential living needs”.
And you don’t have to worry about additional expenses such as hiring a team for construction.
The home guarantees easy assembly and even comes with detailed instructions.
This straightforward construction can be completed in just five steps.
Where to buy a tiny home
THE tiny home phenomenon found new heights as an alternative living solution for consumers concerned with ballooning homebuying costs and sustainability concerns.
*If you click on a link in this boxout, we may earn affiliate revenue.
You can buy ‘tiny homes’ online in a few places, including:
1 day agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Social Security’s ‘golden age’ law change cuts payments by 30% – don’t leave it ‘too late in the game,’ expert says
THE Social Security Administration is rolling out a big change, robbing Americans of their retirement “golden age” and putting millions of seniors at risk of losing up to 30% of their benefits.
As the federal agency implements the retirement age switch-up, a Social Security expert has warned Americans approaching retirement about how the change could hit them hard.
The Social Security Administration is rolling out a change that will impact how millions of Americans receive benefitsGettyExperts have warned that the Social Security switch-up could catch Americans by surpriseGettyInstagram/aaroncirksenaSocial Security expert Aaron Cirksena spoke with The U.S. Sun about how the retirement age change will impact seniors[/caption]
Near-retirees are seeing their retirements start even later under the SSA’s move to continue implementing a change initiated over four decades ago.
The full retirement age, which signifies when recipientscan start their fullSocial Securitypaymentswithoutpenalty, is now reaching its highest level.
Americans born in 1960 or later will start to see the impact of the change this year as they turn 65 – which was previously considered the “golden age” for retirement.
In order to claim their full Social Security benefits, these near-retirees will have to wait until they turn 67, forced to work two more years than previous beneficiaries.
Those born before 1960 are not impacted by the updated FRA, still able to retire and collect their full benefits as long as they have reached the retirement age for the year they were born:
1943–1954: age 66
1955–1959: age 66 and a certain number of months, increasing by two months each year:
1955: 66 and 2 months
1956: 66 and 4 months
1957: 66 and 6 months
1958: 66 and 8 months
1959: 66 and 10 months
On the other hand, the millions of Americans born starting in 1960 are being faced with unprecedented financial obstacles, according to Social Security expert Aaron Cirksena.
Cirksena, CEO of retirement planning company MDRN Capital, spoke exclusively with The U.S. Sun about what the Social Security change means for these beneficiaries and for the federal program’s future.
FAIR OR FOUL?
The SSA’s change to the FRA will have immediate negative impacts on millions of Americans, per the financial expert.
“As the full retirement age for Social Security shifts to 67, many Americans are realizing they’ll need to wait longer than expected to claim full benefits, often too late in the game to adjust their plans,” Cirksena told The U.S. Sun.
“While this change was baked into law back in 1983, its real impact is only now hitting millions nearing retirement.”
Over four decades ago, the proposal to raise the retirement age was aimed at adjusting for longer life expectancies.
What is full retirement age?
Full Retirement Age, or FRA, is the age at which you become eligible to receive 100% of your Social Security retirement benefits without penalty, based on your lifetime earnings.
Also referred to as “normal retirement age,” your FRA is determined by the Social Security Administration based on your birth year:
1943–1954: age 66
1955–1959: age 66 and a certain number of months, increasing by two months each year:
1955: 66 and 2 months
1956: 66 and 4 months
1957: 66 and 6 months
1958: 66 and 8 months
1959: 66 and 10 months
1960 or later: age 67
The idea was that, if people are living longer, they should also be required to work longer to ensure the sustainability of the Social Security system.
However, making Americans wait an extra two years to claim their full retirement fails to take into account that not everyone experiences aging in the same way.
Different demographics face differing health challenges and life expectancies, for example, raising concerns over the fairness of the blanket policy.
Cirksena explained that those in labor-intensive jobs or with health issues could potentially be impacted the worst by the SSA’s move to push back the retirement age to 67.
The expert argued that it “simply isn’t realistic” for these Americans to wait that long to retire, such as those in construction, healthcare, or service work.
They often have shorter life spans, rely heavily on Social Security benefits, and cannot work into their late 60s due to physical demands.
Given no choice but to continue working to receive their full benefits, many of these near-retirees will instead try and claim disability benefits, Social Security experts have predicted.
HOW TO SUPPLEMENT YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY
Here's how to supplement your Social Security:
Given the uncertainty surrounding Social Security’s long-term future, it’s essential for workers to consider ways to supplement their retirement income.
Senior Citizens League executive director, Shannon Benton recommends starting early with savings and investing in retirement accounts like 401(k)s or IRAs.
401(k) Plans
A 401(k) is a retirement account offered through employers, where contributions are tax-deferred.
Many employers also match employee contributions, typically between 2% and 4% of salary, making it a valuable tool for building retirement savings.
Maxing out your 401(k) contributions, especially if your employer offers a match, should be a priority.
IRAs
An Individual Retirement Account (IRA) offers another avenue for retirement savings.
Unlike a 401(k), an IRA isn’t tied to your employer, giving you more flexibility in your investment choices.
Contributions to traditional IRAs are tax-deductible, and the funds grow tax-free until they are withdrawn, at which point they are taxed as income.
FUTURE SHOCK
In addition to taking into account longer life expectancies, the decision to up the FRA was aimed at addressing the Social Security program’sfinancial solvency issues.
The federal agency is currently facing a funding crisis, with predictions that the Social Security trust fund will run out of money for full payments by the mid 2030s.
“Unless Congress acts, current projections show a benefit cut of around 20% by 2033,” said Cirksena.
“That’s not ‘running out,’ but for many retirees, it could feel like it.”
The Social Security expert explained that delaying the retirement age was the government’s tactic to “reduce lifetime benefit payouts without slashing checks outright.”
Many Americans will now be unable to reach their FRA, forcing them to retire early and accept the benefit reduction penalty that the SSA imposes.
“Those who claim early could see their benefits reduced by as much as 30%,” said Cirksena.
For example, an individual qualifying to receive $1,000 each month in Social Security if they retired at 67 would only see a $700 monthly benefit if they were to retire at 62.
By delaying the FRA, the government reduces lifetime benefit payouts without slashing checks outright. And those who claim early could see their benefits reduced by as much as 30%. For people in labor-intensive jobs or with health issues, waiting that long simply isn’t realistic.”
Aaron CirksenaMDRN Capital CEO
On the other hand, Americans who can afford to wait until age 70 to retire would see their benefits raised by up to 24%, receiving $1,240 per month.
However, as Cirksena pointed out, delaying one’s retirement a few extra years is not always feasible, especially for those working in physically or mentally taxing fields or for Americans facing health challenges.
