Connect with us

Crime & Safety

Play2Give Didcot Easter egg success celebrated in style

Published

on


Didcot-based charity Play2Give celebrated its biggest ever Easter egg drive smashing all previous records.

Donations made will help spread joy to patients and families in hospitals, hospices, with disabilities and those in need.

Didcot charity Play2Give eggcels with record-breaking Easter egg collection (Image: Play2Give)

Didcot charity Play2Give eggcels with record-breaking Easter egg collection (Image: Play2Give)

Didcot charity Play2Give eggcels with record-breaking Easter egg collection (Image: Play2Give)

To celebrate and with a spring in their step, charity volunteers dressed up in elaborate and fun Easter costumes which also included a hen, cockerel and carrot.

Patients of all ages across Oxfordshire’s hospitals, including the Children’s Hospital at the John Radcliffe benefited from an egg-stra special dose of generosity as almost 2,100 Easter eggs were donated and handed out.

Over two months, Play2Give appealed for donations for its yearly drive to collect eggs and chocolate treats for its annual campaign crusade.

This year saw more donation points and more supporters than any other year take part, coming from Didcot, Oxford, Abingdon, Wantage, Witney and Newbury.

Businesses, cafes, shops, gyms, school children and dance groups all pitched in, too.

Thanks to funds received online, the charity was also able to purchase eggs and craft and activity packs.

A record-breaking total of more than 2,070 Easter eggs were collected and distributed this year, exceeding last year’s total by almost 400.

Over 600 eggs alone were given to young patients across the children’s hospital and Banbury children’s wards and areas and to families spending the holiday period in the neonatal care unit.

Didcot charity Play2Give eggcels with record-breaking Easter egg collection (Image: Play2Give)

Didcot charity Play2Give eggcels with record-breaking Easter egg collection (Image: Play2Give)

Didcot charity Play2Give eggcels with record-breaking Easter egg collection (Image: Play2Give)

The dedicated army of volunteers spent many hours sorting and counting the goodies and were overwhelmed with the cracking support.

Young carers in the county also benefited, as did adults with brain injuries and some struggling families in need.

Older patients and patients across the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust will enjoy the chocolate.

Oxford’s Sobell House and Summerfield House in Abingdon as well as Viking House and Banbury’s also received bunny lots of joy.

The charity, which will mark its 20th year next year, was created by 37-year-old Didcot man Andy Baker in 2007.

Didcot charity Play2Give eggcels with record-breaking Easter egg collection (Image: Play2Give)

Mr Baker was inspired to begin fundraising for the children’s hospital with the brain surgery aged 12 being his spur to begin his mission to repay those who helped him during his childhood and continues to receive treatment.

He said: “The fantastic kindness of all those who donated brought plenty of smiles to the faces of all those who received the generosity.

“We’re always grateful for the ‘egg-ceptional’ and heart-warming support and we extend our enormous thanks to everyone who helped us achieve this incredible record of eggs that would not be possible otherwise, and all those who continue supporting Play2Give all year round to help us do our fantastic work helping so many in our community.”





Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Crime & Safety

Oxford trains cancelled after dead body found on tracks

Published

on



The body was found in the Swindon area on the afternoon of Sunday, April 5 having been struck by a passing train.

A Great Western Railway train from Oxford which was due to depart at 6.29pm on Easter Sunday had been cancelled.

The GWR Oxford parkway service due to depart at 6pm was also cancelled.

READ MORE: UK estate agents collapses into liquidation with viewings cancelled

Disruption lasted until the end of the day, it’s understood, while emergency services dealt with the scene.

A spokesman for the British Transport Police said: “Officers were called to the line near Swindon at 2.35pm on Sunday 5 April following reports of a casualty on the tracks.

“Paramedics also attended, however sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident is not being treated as suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”

Great Western Railway added: “A person has been struck by a train in the Swindon area, leading to all lines being blocked. It is necessary to bring all trains in the affected area to an immediate stop.

“If you are onboard one of the services in this incident and have been affected by this incident or know someone else who needs support, there is always someone to talk to.

“Contact a Samaritan on 116 123 for free, any time, on any phone. Help is only a phone call away.”





Source link

Continue Reading

Crime & Safety

Fire Stick users issued warning after Amazon blocks free app

Published

on


Downloader is an app that helps users download files onto devices, including Fire TV, Google TV, and Android phones and tablets.

The popular free app, which was created by Elias Saba (AFTVnews), has been downloaded more than 658,000 times on the Amazon Appstore.

It has even been described as “one of the most popular and long-standing apps on the Amazon Appstore” by the tech experts at Cordbusters .

Amazon removes Downloader from Appstore

Despite its popularity, Amazon removed the Downloader app from its Appstore late last month.

However, the move was only temporary, with the popular app reinstated just days later.

The app’s creator, Elias Saba, via her site AFTVnews , said: “The app was temporarily suspended a couple of days ago for violating Amazon’s policy that doesn’t allow third party browsers.

“Evidently, Amazon is fine with apps that have a built-in browser, but they just cannot declare themselves as browsers to the operating system.”

A new v2.0.2 update of Downloader, which is “identical to the previous suspended version”, is now available to download, with Saba having made a “tiny change” to solve the previous issue, which saw it removed from the Amazon Appstore.

Saba added: “If you sideloaded Downloader from another source while it was unavailable, I strongly recommend you uninstall it and install the version from the Amazon Appstore, because the sideloaded version will never receive updates.”

Fire TV Stick users issued new scam warning

It appears scammers have taken advantage of the temporary removal of Downloader, creating fake versions of the popular app.

One app named ‘Downloader for Fire, Browser…’ tricks users into paying US$6.99 (around £5.29) per week, according to Saba.

The Downloader creator warned users to “NOT install the app” and instead “help get it removed” by reporting it as a scam to Amazon.



Thousands warned about use of ‘dodgy’ Fire Sticks as enforcement intensifies

Meanwhile, the ongoing crackdown on the use of ‘dodgy’ Fire Sticks in the UK continues to intensify.

Illegal TV Fire Sticks and/or ‘dodgy boxes’ are streaming devices that have third-party software installed in them, allowing users to watch premium content from providers such as TNT Sport, Sky, Disney+ and Netflix for free.

The use of these devices is a “serious crime”, and police forces across the UK and Ireland, as well as organisations including Crimestoppers and the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), have been attempting to stamp them out.

People who access illegal TV streaming services are potentially liable to prosecution for criminal offences, including under Section 11 of the Fraud Act 2006.



FACT is continually intensifying enforcement targeting users of illegal streaming devices/services.

Thousands of individuals across the UK were contacted recently and warned to stop using illegal IPTV services immediately or risk criminal prosecution.

This action followed joint investigations with police that uncovered details of customers who had purchased access to so-called “loaded” Fire Sticks, Android, or Kodi devices.

While FACT’s latest campaign to disrupt illegal streaming networks and protect consumers from the risks associated with illicit online content targeted eight areas across the UK :

  • London
  • South West
  • North West
  • North East
  • Scotland
  • Wales
  • Yorkshire and Humber
  • West Midlands

The likes of Sky and Amazon are also working on ways to prevent the use of ‘dodgy’ Fire TV Sticks in the UK.

The dangers of using illegal streaming devices

“Illegal streaming services are increasingly operated by sophisticated criminal networks, often involved in other types of crime,” BeSteamWise explained.

People who access illegal TV streaming services are potentially liable to prosecution for criminal offences. (Image: Getty Images)

Meaning those who use illegal streaming devices run the risk of “letting criminals in”, resulting in:

  • Viruses and malware
  • ID theft, scams, and fraud
  • Inappropriate content

Around 39% of illegal streamers in the UK have suffered financial losses due to cybercrime linked to piracy, according to BeStreamWise.

The average amount stolen through illegal streaming is £1,680, while one in ten have lost more than £5,000.


RECOMMENDED READING:


What is the penalty if caught with a ‘dodgy’ Fire TV Stick?

Not only can the use of illegal streaming devices leave users open to ID theft, fraud, and viruses, but it can also result in fines and jail time.

Those caught using or selling a ‘dodgy’ fire stick/box and streaming premium content without paying are in breach of Section 11 of the Fraud Act 2006.

It says a person will be in breach if they obtain services “without any payment having been made for or in respect of them or without payment having been made in full”.

A person found guilty of this kind of offence could be fined or face a jail sentence of up to five years.





Source link

Continue Reading

Crime & Safety

Scales of Justice results from Oxford Magistrates’ Court

Published

on



MOHAMMED AHMED, 21, of Blackbird Leys Road, Oxford, was found guilty of driving a vehicle without third party insurance on the A420 London Road, Oxford, on July 3 last year. He was ordered to pay costs of £135, a victim surcharge of £240 and a fine of £660. He was also handed six penalty points.

SEAN BRADLEY, 27, of Marsh End, Tetsworth, Thame, pleaded guilty to three counts of drug driving in a white Vauxhall Combo Van on August 31 last year on the M40 near Banbury. He also pleaded guilty to one count of being in possession of a class B drug, namely ketamine, on the same occasion. He was ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £114. He must also complete 150 hours of unpaid work within 12 months and he was banned from the road for 30 months. An order was also made for the drugs to be destroyed.

DANIEL MCMASTER, 37, of Rymers Lane, Oxford, was found guilty of assaulting a police officer and criminal damage in Abingdon on June 30 last year. He was ordered to pay costs of £325 and a fine of £60. He was also given a conditional discharge for 12 months.

REBECCA TREMLETT, 29, of St Aldates, Oxford, pleaded guilty to one count of theft from a shop in Oxford on March 19 this year. The total value of the items stolen was £166. She was ordered to pay costs of £85 and a fine of £120.

MARK SMITH, 57, of Bablock Hythe, Northmoor, pleaded guilty to one count of being in possession of an offensive weapon, namely a sword, in Northmoor on November 5 last year. He also pleaded guilty to using threatening / abusive words / behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress in Northmoor between September 1 and 20 last year. He was ordered to not contact two people for three months and he must pay compensation of £50. An order was also made for the sword to be destroyed.

EDWARD LOCKYER, 68, of Acacia Avenue, Oxford, pleaded guilty to breaching a sexual harm prevention order in Oxford on January 29 this year. He was ordered to pay costs of £85, a victim surcharge of £114 and a fine of £40. He must also comply with the orders of the responsible officer to attend appointments for a maximum of 35 days.

ELLIS YOUDS, 28, of Alexandra Road, Weymouth, Dorset, pleaded guilty to using threatening / abusive / insulting words / behaviour to cause harassment / alarm / distress in Abingdon on June 27 last year. He was ordered to pay costs of £85, a victim surcharge of £92 and a fine of £230.





Source link

Continue Reading

Trending