Sally-Anne Youll

With almost three decades in journalism under her belt, most recently as assistant editor at Midland News Association, Sally knows a good story when she sees one. Her razor-sharp instinct and news sense is a massive asset to our team - whether in digging out exclusives for the nationals or nurturing publicity clients to maximum exposure.

Fundraising drive as demand grows for cancer support centre

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A support centre offering a lifeline to cancer patients across the Midlands has launched a new fundraising drive as it prepares to reopen post-lockdown and meet growing demand. The Cancer Support Centre, in Sutton Coldfield, was unable to run its normal fundraising events during the pandemic, but it survived thanks to grant aid and individual supporters taking part in sponsored events. Now with demand growing again, it is looking to raise even more funds and is setting up a new dedicated team to help raise £150,000 or more to support people who have been affected by cancer and delays in […]

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Run For Joel colour blast fun run is back

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The Smile For Joel charity run returns to Sandwell Valley Country Park this year and entries are now open. Run For Joel will take place on Sunday, September 5, starting at 9am. There will be a 5k and a 3k option to suit all ages and abilities. Last year the run was held remotely, with people taking part at home because of Covid. This year the runners can attend in person again and there will be a colour blast, back by popular demand. The event will raise money for Smile For Joel, the charity set up by Suzy Evans and

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Julie Naismith

Most dog owners would pull a sickie to care for their pet, new research highlights

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The vast majority of dog owners would consider pulling a sickie to care for their pets as they prepare to return to work post-lockdown, new research has shown. Almost three quarters are worried about how returning to work will affect their pet, the survey revealed. The poll by leading UK separation anxiety expert and author Julie Naismith is a snapshot of how dog owners are feeling ahead of an anticipated widespread end to working from home as UK bosses plan to boost post-pandemic productivity. The survey revealed more than 85 per cent of the 900 people surveyed would consider taking

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Family firm with £4m turnover forecast shows virtual car sales giants how it’s done

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A family-run Midlands car sales firm is giving the giant virtual showrooms a run for their money as it heads for a £4 million turnover in just its third year of trading. Find & Finance, based in Aldridge, is growing beyond all expectations and has launched a major recruitment drive. Until now the firm has been a four-person, family firm, but director Mike Kirby said he hoping to have a team of 10 before the end of the year. “We have a new vehicle inspector who has started and we are recruiting for two new business development managers and marketing

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Jean on BGT

Me, Dame Vera Lynn and the day I used the Queen’s toilet: BGT star Jean Martyn recalls a decade in the limelight

The Media and Me Podcast / By / , ,

Jean Martyn’s life changed just before her 60th birthday when an appearance on Britain’s Got Talent launched her journey from humble music teacher to global superstar with fame at her fingertips. Now 70, she looks back on a decade of stardom that began when she wowed the BGT judges and captured the hearts of the nation with her joyous and enthusiastic performances. She has gone on to perform across the world, rubbing shoulders with the stars and royalty, once accompanying the late, great Dame Vera Lynn and once even using the Queen’s toilet! The past 10 years have been a

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How I ended my botched boob job nightmare in lockdown

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A mother-of-two has told how she has found a new lease of life after a botched boob job by an infamous surgeon has been put right – after a ‘nightmare’ seven years. Leah Maynard had breast augmentation surgery back in 2013, in the hope it would give her a confidence boost. Instead, it left her embarrassed and ashamed, destroying her trust in plastic surgeons. She had been operated on by Amedeo Usai who was struck off after five complaints relating to botched surgeries and emails that hit out at patients with vile sexist slurs. Luckily Leah had not been targeted

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Family members join skydive challenge in memory of Tunisia terror attack victims

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Family members and friends of the 38 people who died in the Tunisia terrorist attack in 2015 will be jumping out of a plane to honour their memories and mark the sixth anniversary of the tragedy.  The skydive will be held on July 3, just after the June 26 anniversary, and will raise money for Smile For Joel, the charity set up by Suzy Evans and her son Owen Richards who lost three loved ones in the attack.  Suzy and Owen will be joined by family members of other victims from across the UK for the event. Suzy, from Wednesbury in the West Midlands, lost her son Joel,

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Suzy Evans: How I learned to embrace the media

The Media and Me Podcast / By / , , ,

When Suzy Evans and her son Owen found themselves in the full glare of a worldwide media spotlight after three of their loved ones were killed in a terrorist attack in Tunisia, inevitably they were unprepared for such intense, agonising attention. Six years on, they now say they’ve learned how the media can be a force for good. That’s because of their mission since – raising awareness of Smile For Joel, the charity they launched in memory of Joel, Patrick and Adrian to help other families torn apart by murder and violence. Here Suzy talks about that steep and emotional learning

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Talesha Chisholm, Derek Hands and Beckie Wait, from Elevate FM. Picture by Carol Bailey

First birthday brings double delight for facilities management firm

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A facilities management firm launched in lockdown is marking its first birthday by doubling its workforce. Elevate FM, based in George Street, Birmingham, was set up last June, offering property maintenance services for schools and businesses. Instead of having to find, vet and co-ordinate a host of different contractors, clients were able to contact Elevate FM and get the job sorted in one phone call. The firm started with two people and has now taken on Talesha Chisholm as office administrator and Derek Hands, an in-house maintenance engineer. Director Beckie Wait said a second maintenance worker was due to be taken

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Frontline pandemic heroes offered fully-funded therapy under new partnership

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Frontline key workers whose mental health has been affected by the pressure of working through the Covid-19 battle are receiving fully-funded therapy sessions thanks to a new partnership. Community interest company Hampers for Heroes has joined up with Take A Seat, an organisation giving people access to a network of therapists across the country.Under the partnership, lockdown heroes can be nominated to receive up to 10 sessions of fully-funded therapy. Hampers for Heroes founder Victoria Hanson said: “People have been through such a stressful and high-pressure time and their mental health has been adversely affected. Those issues need to be

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