HERO DAD - A dad who died after a bleed on the brain has been dubbed a hero after he saved the lives of FIVE people by donating his organs
Image by: Gemma Ashdown
A dad who died after a bleed on the brain has been dubbed a hero after he saved the lives of FIVE people by donating his organs.
Jonathan Ashdown, 27, donated his heart, pancreas, kidney and his liver - after it was split in two - following his death.
The dad-of-three suffered from a tangle of blood vessels connecting arteries and veins, which caused a bleed on the brain.
He was diagnosed just five days after the birth of daughter Willow, and despite two brain operations died just two months later.
Devastated wife Gemma, from Tonbridge, Kent, made the brave decision to donate his organs to help others.
She has now been told in a moving letter from the Blood and Transplant Service how his organs saved the lives of four men and a young boy.
Full time mum Gemma said: "We are absolutely heartbroken at Jono's death.
"He was so young and had so much to live for. It's hard to imagine how we're going to go on without him, but it brings us so much comfort to know how many people he's gone on to save.
"When I saw the letter from the donation organisation it filled me with pride.
"I'm so happy Jono has such an incredible legacy - as such an amazing dad, I'm especially thrilled about the fact that he helped a little boy."
Tree surgeon Jono - dad to Emily-Jasmine, eight, Oscar-John, 17 months, and Willow, 14 weeks - started getting splitting headaches in July.
Image by: Gemma Ashdown
Image by: Gemma Ashdown
Image by: Gemma Ashdown
He sought the advice of his doctor and went for a scan at Tunbridge Wells Hospital that same month.
Medics revealed he was suffering from a bleed on the brain which had been caused by a tangle of poorly formed blood vessels known as arteriovenous malformation (AVM).
He was diagnosed on July 14th – just five days after the birth of baby Willow.
The former Tonbridge Juddian's rugby player had just celebrated his second wedding anniversary with his wife, Gemma.
Gemma said: "He had so much to live for.
"He was such a good dad - and so hands on with our newborn.
"We were looking forward to being back at home, as the family that we had always imagined, with our three lovely kids."
In the two months after his diagnosis, Jono had two serious brain operations to try and stop the bleed.
But the operations weren't a success, and he passed away on September 2.
Jono had discussed the possibility of donating his organs with Gemma - who initially wasn't sure if it was a good idea.
But after visiting a chapel with Jono’s father and discussing donation, Gemma went outside for some air and bumped into a group of people promoting organ donation.
She felt it was a sign and agreed.
Gemma said: "The only part of Jono that I didn’t want to donate were his beautiful, bright blue eyes.
"I saw a child in hospital once who had scolded himself and needed a skin graft. This really made me think.
"I don’t think anybody should have to suffer without the organs they need and my Jono has helped with that."
She received a letter from the NHS on 14 October saying a kidney and his pancreas went to a man in his 40s who had been waiting for three years.
Another kidney went to a man in his 50s waiting for a decade, and his liver was split between a young boy and a gent in his 50s.
The "very precious and especially rare gift" of his heart went to a man in his 60s.
His family also donated his soft tissues, yet to be donated, and currently being stored for future patients.
Image by: Gemma Ashdown
Image by: Gemma Ashdown
Gemma shared the letter on October 14 on Facebook - on what would have been Jono's 28th birthday, and it went viral, attracting 65,000 shares.
Gemma said: "He was truly amazing.
"Our lives are never going to be the same. I keep thinking I'm going to wake up and this has all been a nightmare.
"The children and I have gone away for a little holiday. I need to think and get things sorted out.
"But I want to give Jono the recognition he deserves.
"It's devastating that he won't be there to watch our children grow up.
"Mine and my children's lives have been turned upside down, but one thing I have learned from this is to live every day like it's your last.
"Cherish what you have got, never go to sleep on an argument.
"Cuddle your loved ones and tell them that you love them.
"You don't always need money, go out and jump in puddles with the children because things can change in the blink of an eye. I should know."
Video by: Gabriella Petty
OTTER-LY IN LOVE - Meet the animal-loving pensioner who has spent her life helping to raise OTTERS - and regularly walks around town with one sat on her shoulders
Image by: Jake McPherson
Meet the animal-loving pensioner who has spent her life raising pet OTTERS - and regularly walks around town with them on her shoulders.
Daphne Neville, 82, has kept the mammals for nearly 40 years and devotes her time to increasing awareness about the creatures.
She even takes her current pet, 'Rudi', to the shops - but said people don't mind because the otter looks "cosy and happy".
An actress by trade, Ms Neville adopted her first otter in 1980 after a friend suggested her 18th century converted water mill near Stroud, Glos., offered the perfect conditions.
'Rudi', her tenth otter, is extremely docile and is used in shows across the country.
The affectionate animal is licensed under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 because of his 36 sharp teeth, although Ms Neville said she has never had a problem.
She said: "With Rudi, I've had him since he was three weeks old. He thinks I'm his mum. I'm a part of him and he's a part of me.
"I've shown people you can have incredible bonds with these creatures. Touch wood, we have never had an accident.
"I wouldn't want to be a risk to anyone. All my otters have been immaculately behaved. I wouldn't dream of taking them out otherwise.
"We do shows all over the place. People come from miles away - especially from Australia and New Zealand. They don't have otters there."
Image by: Jake McPherson
Image by: Jake McPherson
Image by: Jake McPherson
Image by: Jake McPherson
Ms Neville raised previous otters with her late husband Martin and three daughters, who have all now left home.
She also campaigned hard alongside big names such as the legendary Sir David Attenborough in years gone by to urge water companies to clean the country's rivers.
They had become so polluted with the chemical polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) that the wild otter was almost extinct.
Incredibly, Ms Neville's actions prompted Michael Meacher, then environment minister under Tony Blair, to announce plans to phase out PCBs in 2000.
She said: "We didn't know anything about otters - we were just a normal family. But then we wanted to raise awareness about their future.
"We fought so hard for their safety. Clean water is pivotal for the future of otters and all living creatures. Since then [1980], the rivers have visibly improved."
Ms Neville is now supporting Animal Alerts, a small device which attaches to the front of cars and emits an ultrasonic sound.
This warns creatures like rabbits, dogs and otters not to cross the road as the car is approaching - potentially saving huge numbers.
She said: "It keeps them on the verge. Otters like to cross the road at night when they think it's safe."
When he's not on Ms Neville's shoulders, 'Rudi', an Asian small-clawed otter, lives in a large cage in the garden - where other otters can come and say 'hello'.
He performs in country shows, fêtes and children’s parties - including at Kensington Palace.
The pair have even appeared on the hit Channel 4 TV show 'Come Dine With Me', coming in second.
Ms Neville also keeps rescued swans, ducks and a goose on her lake.
Mum forced to choose between letting her son's brain die or leaving him PARALYSED from surgery
Image by: Tristan Potter SWNS
A mum faced the choice of leaving her son to battle life-threatening seizures or risk paralysing him - by removing part of his brain.
For the past seven years, Stephanie Bailey, 32, has done everything she can to help her son Gabriel, seven, in his battle with epilepsy.
But his condition just got worse, until he was having up to 70 seizures a day and couldn't go anywhere or do anything alone.
Doctors eventually said the only possible cure from life-threatening seizures was a risky operation to remove part of his brain.
But they said the op might not work, and doctors warned his mum Stephanie that even if it did, he could be paralysed permanently on his left side.
She agonised over the decision for a week - and woke up from the nine-hour operation unable to move the entire left side of his body.
Thankfully Gabriel's paralysis was not permanent and Stephanie's little fighter is already back on his feet just four months after surgery.
Gabriel has left side weakness that is slowly improving and he is even practising for a dance competition in Germany - something unimaginable before.
Teaching assistant Stephanie from Oxford said: "Choosing to send my son for brain surgery that could leave him paralysed forever was the most difficult decision of my life.
"If we didn't have the surgery, the doctors said he wouldn't be able to do much as he gets older - he'd be in a vegetative state by the time he was a teenager.
"Gabriel is the most amazing little boy and I couldn't bear the thought of his condition destroying him like that over time so I chose the surgery.
"The doctors couldn't predict if the paralysis would be permanent or not, so we took the risk that he could be paralysed forever from the surgery.
"By some miracle, my brave little boy is back on his feet already, running and dancing, just four months after surgery.
"He's only had ten seizures since the surgery, and I'm just so happy that the hardest decision I've ever made was the right one."
Stephanie, who is a teaching assistant for a special needs school in Oxford, welcomed her only son Gabriel in April 2012 with her then partner handyman Jose Pestana, 51.
Gabriel was a healthy and happy baby until he started having seizures when he was 7 months old.
With Gabriel suffering with up to 70 seizures per day, doctors suspected a brain tumour, so rushed him for an emergency MRI and he was diagnosed him with a cortical dysplasia.
Cortical dysplasia occurs when the top layer of the brain doesn't form properly and it is one of the most common causes of epilepsy.
Gabriel started taking daily anticolvulsant medication in January 2013 and he was seizure free until his first birthday - when he had a seizure while blowing out his birthday candle.
From then on, he was only ever seizure free for a maximum of two weeks.
Unsuccessful medicine changes meant Gabriel's epilepsy had become intractable and he was subject to anywhere from 10 to 40 seizures per day.
Stephanie said: "I felt so sad for Gabriel - he had to have 100% supervision and needed assistance to go to the toilet.
"I had to go everywhere with him, even around the house, because his seizures were so frequent and spontaneous.
"He couldn't play in the park without me holding his hand, and he had to bed fed because he'd have seizures mid meal with food in his mouth.
"He had seizures during the night which meant we never got much sleep and he was usually too tired to go to school so he'd stay at home with my twin sister whilst I went to work.
"It was so hard, especially because he just wanted to play like any other little boy and have some independence.
"Gabriel discovered a passion for dance, and joined KC's School of Dance in Oxford with when he was 4, with his teachers being very understanding of his condition, just taking him to the back of the class when a seizure struck and then letting him join back in.
"We learned to cope with Gabriel's seizures because we didn't have another option.
"Gabriel's father Jose and I split up a few years ago but Jose is amazing with Gabriel, he's very much still involved and is always in the family home so that Gabriel has two consistent parents.
"Gabriel is my first child so I knew no different but as he grew older, I learned to live on auto-pilot - going to work, caring for Gabriel and making life as fun as possible for him."
Gabriel's medication dosage was slowly increased over the years until December 2018 when he underwent a stereo EEG at Bristol Children's Hospital.
Stereoelectroencephalography (commonly known as stereo EEG) is a minimally invasive procedure where electrodes detect the origins of seizures in the brain.
Some 14 wired rods were bolted into the six year old boy's skull with multiple wires entering his brain in order to perform brain mapping.
Doctors stimulated Gabriel's brain by sending electrical impulses to parts of the brain where seizures were surfacing.
Seizures do not always originate from the area of the brain where they surface, so doctors triggered seizures to see how much of the motor area of the brain would be affected.
Findings from the EEG showed the seizures were coming from Gabriel's cortical dysplasia, and that removing the undeveloped part of the brain would give the young boy a 50% chance at seizure freedom.
However, the activation of certain rods saw Gabriel unable to use his left hand or foot, meaning he could be left paralysed on his left side by the removal of that part of the brain.
Stephanie was left with a choice no mother should have to make - leave her son's brain to slowly die with constant epileptic seizures, or paralyse her boy through brain surgery.
Image by: Stephanie Bailey
Image by: Stephanie Bailey
Image by: Stephanie Bailey
Image by: Tristan Potter SWNS
Image by: Stephanie Bailey
She said: "We were told that if Gabe were to have surgery, he would suffer left side paralysis that could be permanent, but he would have 50% chance of seizure freedom.
"If we didn't take the surgery option then Gabriel was likely to deteriorate, making life very limited as he grew up.
"Without surgery, there'd be a high chance of the seizures spreading to other parts of his brain and his future would be uncertain.
"It took me about a week to make the decision to go for surgery as I thought we'd rather take left sided paralysis over life threatening seizures.
"I went for the 'glass half full' approach when looking at the 50% chance of seizure freedom but I felt sick at the time and so lost, because whatever the outcome, this was on my hands.
"Gabriel loved to dance and wore his seizure helmet during lessons at his dance school, and surgery could put a stop to that forever.
"I thought how can I choose what's best for my little boy when I don't even know what that is?"
Gabriel underwent resection surgery on 7 June 2019 where doctors worked hard to remove the cortical dysplasia.
He was on the operating table for nine hours as doctors removed part of his brain with Stephanie waiting anxiously outside theatre.
The surgery was a success with doctors able to remove the undeveloped area of Gabriel's brain and greatly reducing his risk of seizures.
But when Gabriel woke up from surgery, he found he was unable to move the entire left side of his body and doctors could not determine if the paralysis would be permanent.
Unfortunately, surgery had left Gabriel with an air pocket trapped inside his brain and the little boy had to be given oxygen for 48 hours after surgery.
Stephanie said: "When Gabriel was paralysed on his left side, I was in two minds over it.
"I was so sad for him, that he couldn't move, and I was scared that I'd made the wrong decision, but those feelings were soon suppressed by the worry over an air pocket in Gabe's brain from surgery leaving him oxygen dependant for two days.
"My main concern was with what I couldn't see - the brain - rather than the physical impairments as I couldn't let myself think more than a day at a time.
"Gabriel was so happy that he wasn't having seizures - even though he couldn't move his left side, he'd wake up every morning and say 'I didn't have any seizures!'
"At the end of each day, he's say 'They must have taken all the seizures because I haven't had any today!'
"We had brought a sentimental box of happy memories with us to the hospital, and he wore the party hat from his 7th birthday to celebrate having the surgery because he was so happy to not have seizures any more.
"I thought he may not dance again, which broke my heart, but his teacher Kelly assured me that even though paralysed, Gabriel could always be a member of KC's.
"He wasn't really upset that he couldn't move his left side because his physio doctor came round everyday and gave such positive encouragement that Gabriel felt completely confident and looked forward to her daily visits.
Five days after surgery, Gabriel started to get significant movement back on his left side.
His leg progressed quicker than his arm and hand, and the brave boy was able to take his first steps just two and a half weeks after surgery.
Just over five weeks following the procedure, Gabriel managed to start independently moving his fingers on his left hand.
Gabriel was discharged from hospital on 9 July 2019, and since the surgery, he has only endured 10 small seizures lasting around 8 seconds at a time.
His brain is still healing, but four months after surgery, Gabriel is more active than ever and is even flying to Germany this month for a dance competition.
Stephanie said: "It was only after surgery that I have managed to see that I only knew half of Gabriel before.
"He's now more alert, he's clever and funny and just so full of energy.
"Gabriel has always appreciated his life even with the seizures, and is always saying things like 'I love my life' and 'my life is amazing'.
"Just a month after surgery, he took part in a dance competition in Kent and qualified in the para section, guaranteeing him a place in the IDO world championships in Germany later this month, which is just amazing.
"We are still going through uncharted waters because his brain hasn't fully healed yet, as that can take up to a year to heal, so we're just taking things as they come at the moment.
"This means that I spend my days appreciating life with him and fewer seizures, but I'm also nervous and anxious in case things change.
"I didn't realise how down and on edge I have been for the last seven years until I look back on life before surgery.
"Gabriel is my whole entire world and so much more and the thought that I could have lost him to epilepsy makes me sick but at the moment I'm euphoric that we've come this far."
Video by: Stephanie Bailey
Family bring Christmas forward so terminally ill son can celebrate it with them
Image by: Simon Galloway
The family of a terminally ill boy who is the only one in Britain with a rare disease are celebrating Christmas months early amid fears he might not live to the end of the year.
Oliver Brown, 11, suffers from an extremely rare disease called Myelodysplastic Syndrome - a blood cancer affecting just four children per million worldwide.
He is the 'only boy in Britain' with the disease and at the time of his diagnosis at the age of eight.
Now his family have brought forward Christmas in case Oliver, from Plymouth, Devon, doesn't make it to December.
Over the last three years, Oliver has undergone two bone marrow transplants, and until very recently was at home recovering with his dad, Mike, and mum Nicola.
Sadly, Oliver's condition has worsened in recent weeks and the family fear their hopes of him enjoying a proper Christmas may be dashed.
They've put up their decorations and tree inside their home, donned their festive jumpers and even put lights outside their home, so he can celebrate with his brother.
Dad Mike, 39, said: "We have the lights up, the tree is up inside, we have the Lego winter village all made.
"The only thing missing is a real Christmas tree but the place we always buy it from doesn't start selling them until November 17.
"We're using a live tree at the moment and a fake one in the lounge - but everything else is up like it's Christmas. The Christmas movies are on, the Christmas songs are playing."
The Brown's family home has become a typically festive scene with an array of lights strung outside while inside they have a festive tunes, films and Christmas presents.
Mike continued: "I'm sure there's been a few people driving past thinking, 'but it's October'. It is - but we're having Christmas now."
Mike said it's accepted that it is unlikely Oliver will see Christmas which is, like for most children, his favourite time of year.
Image by: Simon Galloway
Image by: TM Plymouth Herald
Image by: TM Plymouth Herald
Image by: Steve Chatterley
The family would usually put up the decorations on December 1 and get "a good run" for Oliver and his brother, Benjamin.
He added: "We decided to bring it forward for him and Benjamin, to enjoy together. In our minds he made it to Christmas 2019.
"He loves Christmas, so it's the right thing for us all."
Oliver developed Myelodysplastic Syndrome aged eight, as a result of a complicated genetic disorder relating to his GATA2 gene, which also resulted in Oliver being born deaf.
However, after two rounds of tortuous treatment, including two bone marrow transplants, he was told in May there was no further curative options available.
The family say they are now spending whatever time he has left making precious memories.
Earlier this year Oliver fulfilled a dying wish of being a police officer for a day when kind-hearted cops pulled out all the stops to make it happen.
Oliver and his eight-year-old brother Benjamin, together with his mum and dad, were invited for a special VIP day at the force's headquarters in Middlemoor, Exeter.
He took part in a range of training experiences and many officers came in on their rest days to ensure Oliver's wish became reality.
He was shown specialist equipment and vehicles, including Armed Response Vehicles, traffic motorcycles, drones and weapons.
Both Oliver and Ben also enjoyed taking part in a simulated rescue of a hostage before they met police dog Boris.
TRANSPLANT HEARTBREAK - Devoted young mum is training to become a transplant nurse - after her husband tragically died from heart transplant complications
Image by: Lee Mclean SWNS
A devoted young widow has started training to become a transplant nurse - after her beloved husband tragically died from heart transplant complications.
Brave Louise Hughes, 26, was heartbroken in May 2018 when Dave, 32, the father of her baby boy, passed away 11 weeks after getting a new heart.
Employed as a nursery worker at the time, Louise was inspired to embark on her new career after being overwhelmed by the "amazing" nurses who cared for her husband.
The mum-of-one started an access course at college just four months after Dave's death and started a three year adult nursing degree last month.
When she qualifies Louise wants to specialise as a transplant nurse and work at Wythenshawe Hospital, where her husband received much of his care.
Louise, from Wigan, said her and Dave's son George, now three, knows all about his daddy and is aware of the journey his mum has embarked on.
The University of Salford undergraduate said: "Losing Dave was the hardest thing George and I will ever go through.
"Even though it was so painful it was amazing to see the way the nurses cared for him and also dealt with us.
"I developed such a close bond with them.
"At the time I did think to myself that I'd like to be involved in helping people somehow.
"But I never thought I would be clever or brave enough to become a nurse."
Just a month after Dave passed away, while Louise was still grieving the tragic loss, she decided she wanted to become a transplant nurse.
She applied to get on to an access course and within just a few months had begun attending classes.
Louise said: "I decided that I could make a difference and help people in the same way I was helped.
"As the family member of a transplant patient I'll know exactly what people are going through.
"I feel like I'm in a perfect position to do the job well."
Her husband Dave, a trainee mechanic, had fought serious health problems since birth because of a congenital heart defect meaning his main arteries were the wrong way round.
In 2013, one year after he met Louise, Dave's condition deteriorated to the point doctors told him he would eventually need a heart transplant to survive.
In February 2018, as Dave’s health was beginning to decline, the family received the life-changing call they had been waiting for and travelled the Newcastle Freeman Hospital to undergo the gruelling 12 hour surgery.
He was unconscious for two and a half weeks after the op, and Louise arranged for their wedding to take place in hospital on March 23, once he woke.
Image by: Lee Mclean SWNS
Image by: Louise Hughes
Image by: Lee Mclean SWNS
Image by: Lee Mclean SWNS
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
The ceremony, with only nine close family members and friends including baby George, was arranged by hospital staff.
Just six weeks after their marriage, while Dave was still at Newcastle Freeman, his health took a drastic downturn as it emerged his donated heart was failing.
In order to have another heart transplant he would have had to regained enough strength to undergo a significantly more risky procedure.
The suffering dad was also told that this might not be possible until at least the end of the year, in order to give his body the maximum chance of recovery.
But Dave did not want to put his family and friends through any more pain and he broke the news to his heartbroken family that he was going to die.
He passed away in Louise's arms on May 1, 2018,
Louise and her family now host a memorial fundraising event on February 22 every year, which was the day in 2018 Dave got his heart transplant.
The drive is to raise money for the Freeman Heart and Lung Transplant Association (FHLTA), which supported the family throughout their ordeal.
"The FHLTA were absolutely incredible throughout Dave's illness," Louise said.
"I had to give up work because I was missing so many days and they stepped into help.
"We were given accommodation at the hospital so we could stay over and they even said they would pay for my petrol between there and Wigan.
"When you're in that situation the last thing you want to worry about is money.
"Raising money for them now to say thank you is the least we can do."
Within the past 18 months Louise and her family have raised a whopping £21,000 for the FHLTA.
Their events, which also pay tribute to Dave's donor, include raffles, prizes and donation boxes.
A spokesman for the Newcastle Freeman Hospital, where Dave was treated, has this afternoon thanked Louise for her tireless fundraising.
They said: "We never fail to be humbled by the people who support us and Louise has been an inspiration both in terms of campaigning to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation and in raising funds.
"We are really grateful for her support."
One of Louise's main goals is to have people arrange for their organs to be donated before they pass away.
You can donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/fhlta?utm_id=66&utm_term=xk68YzkZV
Video by: Gabriella Petty
Shar Pei puppy who had her front paws CHOPPED OFF by cruel thugs in Romania is enjoying a new life in Britain
Image by: Katielee Arrowsmith SWNS
A Shar Pei puppy who had her front paws CHOPPED OFF by cruel thugs in Romania is enjoying a new life in Britain.
Tally, thought to be have been around eight months old when she was subjected to the horrific act of cruelty, was found chained to a tree stump in a town outside Bucharest.
She was unable to stand up due to her injuries, but began wagging her tail as soon as she saw the person who rescued her.
Tally, a Shar Pei mix, was fostered in Romania before being brought to the UK in a two-day journey to Scotland, and now lives with a foster family in Ayr, South Ayrshire.
Despite her limited mobility, determined Tally still tries to jump up on the sofa like any other dog - and manages to get around on her stumps.
However the imbalance in length between her front and back legs is putting pressure on her spine and her hips.
A set of prosthetics to help her get around will cost an estimated £10,000 - but hopes are high it could transform her life.
Plans are afoot to raise £600 for a specially made set of wheels which will help Tally until cash can be raised to pay for the prosthetics, which can only be fitted by Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick.
Tally was brought to the UK by charity Shar Pei Rescue Scotland, which operates on a shoestring budget but has rescued more than 600 dogs.
Foster mum, Karen Harvey, 48, said: “Tally is around 15 months old, that’s why we want to get prosthetics for her - because she’s young.
“I have got pictures of her chained to a tree with no front legs.
“She can get about in the front and back garden, by pushing herself about, and she can jump up on the couch but the imbalance is putting pressure on her spine and her hips.
“She will end up getting arthritis.
“We are fundraising to get her some wheels to take the weight off, but it will be about £10,000 for prosthetics.
“It will improve her quality of life.”
Image by: Katielee Arrowsmith SWNS
Image by: Katielee Arrowsmith SWNS
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
Image by: Katielee Arrowsmith SWNS
Image by: Katielee Arrowsmith SWNS
Her grandson, Tyler Roach, aged nine, dotes on the puppy.
Mum-of-two Karen, who has five grandchildren, said: “What happened to her is horrendous.
“Tally is such a loving girl.
“She just wants to cuddle and play.”
Karen had previously fostered another Shar Pei for her pal Gina McCallum, who runs the rescue charity.
Gina approached Karen to see if she could help provide a home for Tally.
Retiree Gina, from East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, founded the charity in 2012 and partly funds it herself.
She said: “It took about six or seven months getting her here, and she has cost about £2,000 so far.
“We rescue a lot of dogs from Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria and Spain.
“All the pedigrees are quite common just now but Shar Peis are out of fashion.
“A lot of breeders are just dumping them in kill shelters, or abandoning them in the middle of nowhere.
“It is terrible - the vet who treated her had never seen anything like it before.
“Her bones had become infected.
“But she’s the happiest dog on the planet.
“When she was found, her tail just started wagging - someone had chopped her feet off but she still wanted to be around humans.”
The charity is hopeful that funding could be found through sponsorship from businesses.
It is run by volunteers but receives help from Taylor Vets in Cathkin, Glasgow.
Another seven or eight Shar Peirs are looking for homes in the UK.
Gina added: “We are always desperate for foster homes for the dogs.
“It’s amazing to see how well Tally has come on.
Donations can be made at donations_sprss@aol.com
Video by: Gabriella Petty
I'M THE FANCIEST DRESSER - These pictures show Britain's best Hallowe'en fancy dresser - a little girl who wears a series of amazing costumes designed by her mum
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
These pictures show Britain's best Hallowe'en fancy dresser - a little girl who wears a series of amazing costumes designed by her mum.
Siobhan Smith, 25, first created a homemade costume for her daughter Caoimhe Flynn, aged five, in 2015 and has only got more adventurous with her ideas.
Her first costume for Caoimhe was a granny followed by a Starbucks paper-style coffee cup, the Statue of Liberty and a Transformer.
This year the inventive mum hilariously dressed the youngster up as Glasgow’s iconic Duke of Wellington statue.
Siobhan aims to upcycle material and the most she has spent on one of her amazing designs is £25.
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
The childcare student, from Govan, Glasgow, said: “Every Halloween I try and hand make all her costumes.
“It was a wee granny first but she was one and just walking.
“Then the second one was Starbucks then the Statue of Liberty, then the Transformer and now the Duke of Wellington.
“The wee granny one was all stuff I had so it cost nothing.
“The Starbucks one was about £10 for the material and £5 for the paint.
“Then the Statue of Liberty was about £10 for the material.
“I just try and think of the most random stuff.
“I’m arts and craftsy and enjoy a challenge.
“She [Caoimhe] never really asks to be these, she’s quite laid back."
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
Mum Siobhan was heaped with praise after making a Transformer costume last year.
To create it she used cardboard boxes she got while she worked at McDonald's and fairy lights she bought for £5 from eBay.
She said: “The Transformer was tricky and something completely different.
“In Govan everyone couldn’t wait to see it.
“I was doing a wee half an hour every night over five weeks to make it.
“She was quite worried she couldn’t get back up properly and this one she thought a lot of people would laugh, but then she said she loved it."
For her latest work, Siobhan was inspired to replicate the Duke of Wellington after a light-bulb moment when she was about to throw away Caoimhe’s old rocking horse.
The Duke of Wellington costume is the most expensive one Siobhan has made - costing just £25 to make.
Caoimhe already had a black top and black boots, so Siobhan bought a secondhand black leather jacket and a sports cone from eBay, and black leggings from Amazon.
Siobhan said: “I was going to throw out the horse then I thought there was something I could do with it.
“I just painted it black and bought the black leather jacket and leggings.
“She already had a black top and black boots.
“I sawed the rocking bits off it and attached the wheels.
“It was for her after school care party and she’s still got her school disco to go.”
Proud of her handiwork, Siobhan posted a picture of Caoimhe dressed up on social media which went viral - attracting more than 6,000 likes and 5,000 shares.
Siobhan, who believes she now has her work cut out to better the Glasgow landmark, said: “Most people didn’t think I could top last year’s but now they’re saying the Duke of Wellington is better.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do next year now."
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
DEAD COOL! - Moment a Marvel fan has celebrated his 100th skydive - by jumping dressed as Deadpool
Image by: Derek Finn
A Marvel fan has celebrated his 100th skydive - by jumping dressed as Deadpool.
Derek Finn, 37, jumped from 12,000ft dressed as the lycra-clad superhero, played by Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds.
He decided to wear the outfit after watching the skydiving scene in the second movie, when Deadpool jumps to the ground - only to be left hanging on a roadside sign.
Ex-freestyle skier and full-on daredevil Derek donned his favourite Marvel hero's suit, and had a buddy film the 50 second free fall over Las Vegas, Nevada.
Derek, from Las Vegas, said: "It ended up being a perfect day, and I was able to do the jump with five friends - one of them filming it!
"I had some amazing footage, and just wanted everyone to know that you can have loads of fun skydiving and going in fancy dress!
"Usually people do something fun to celebrate a milestone like the 100th jump.
"They jump naked, or in their underwear or something.
"Since mine happened to be on our hHalloween party, so I decided to wear a fun costume - and who's more fun than Deadpool?
"I mean, you also don't want anything loose or flapping or sticking out when you skydive because it can catch on your parachute, so the one-piece was a good pick!"
Image by: Derek Finn
Derek first started skydiving in May because he always wanted to try it, jumping so regularly he got his licence in just four months.
He decided to dress as the 'Merc with a Mouth' for his 100th jump over Las Vegas, Nevada (USA) as he loves the loudmouthed hero.
Derek said: "I picked Deadpool because he's probably my favourite Marvel superhero - I've always been a fan of the comics, video games, and movies.
"And there's an epic skydiving scene in the Deadpool 2 movie.
"So I thought dressing as him would be a perfect fit!
"We had a load of fun, and it made for an awesome day!"
Derek jumped for the 100th time at around 2pm on October 26.
A cleaner won two £500,000 Thunderball jackpots in the same draw by MISTAKE and almost asked for her ticket to be void
Image by: Tristan Potter SWNS
A cleaner won two £500,000 Thunderball jackpots in the same draw by MISTAKE and almost asked for her ticket to be void.
Gayle Say, 56, bought multiple lines for three tickets for Tuesday’s draw but realised she had copied the same numbers out twice.
The gran was about to ask the shopkeeper if she could cancel one of the tickets but changed her mind, because "it's not like we will win anyway".
But the lines she duplicated matched the five numbers 4, 7, 20, 23, 27 and the Thunderball 8 meaning she won the £500,000 top prize twice over.
Gayle also matched three numbers and the Thunderball on another line to claim an extra £20.
And in a one-in-a-million chance, she also won an extra £5,000 by matching five numbers and £10 for guessing three numbers on another line.
Gayle, who is married to Philip, 65, quit her job as a cleaner after scooping her mega rollover win.
She said: “I always go to the same shop to buy the tickets but after checking them I realised I’d chosen the same combination twice, one on each ticket.
“I thought about trying to get the ticket void but thought ‘it doesn’t matter, it’s not like I will win anyway’, and left the shop.”
Gayle realised her mistake had doubled her money later when she checked the Thunderball numbers on her phone.
She said: “With the tickets in my hand I rushed inside to tell Philip we had won and at the same time I realised another of the ticket’s had the same number line.
“I kept shouting ‘we’ve won and we’ve won again!’ Philip was scrambling around for his glasses to look at the phone to make sure I was right.
“We were both shaking, my legs were wobbling and we just looked at the phone in shock.”
Retired builder Philip, 65, said: “I immediately started to text the family with the news but no one believed me.
“I then saw a sight I will never forget, my wife dancing around the living room singing Frank Sinatra’s Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.”
The couple, who have four grown-up children and seven grandchildren, plan to put deposits on houses for their family and help them with their rent.
Image by: Tristan Potter SWNS
Image by: Steve Chatterley
Image by: Tristan Potter SWNS
Gayle added: “As well as helping out the family, all I want is for Philip to finish off the extension he is working on, and now with the winnings I can have a new kitchen.
“I resigned last week after we found out about the win, worked my week’s notice and as of today I am officially retired. It feels great.”
The couple bought their Thunderball tickets from Nina’s Convenience Store in Coventry.
Every Tuesday they buy multiple lines on three tickets based on door numbers, anniversaries and family birthdays.
Double lotto winners Gayle and Philip Say, who are both 65, say their first purchase will be a car to ferry around their seven grandchildren.
Gayle said: “My eyes popped out when I found out. I felt like jelly. I thought ‘I’ve got to get this right, it might not be’ I am still trying to get over it now. It’s beginning to sink in.
“We haven’t made a new purchase yet, but it will mostly be going to family and a new car. We’ve had lots of ideas but nothing as of yet.
“We couldn’t believe it. We can make a few more mistakes like that.
“My last shift this morning was great. I won’t have to get up in the cold dark mornings anymore. I have to leave the house by 6.40am and I do weekends so I only have one day off.
“I can lie in on Saturday and Sunday now. It’s amazing I haven’t done that for 28 years. I will find something to do though.
“We will sort one thing out at a time. We will be staying in Coventry though.
“We have used those numbers since it started. I’ve been playing the lottery since it started. I have done HotPicks and the EuroMillions, but I just do Thunderball now.
“I would usually just win little bits, but now I’ve got a big bit!”
Philip said: “After we found out we had two lots of numbers the same, she then said she has got a line with five numbers but without the bonus ball.
“If we had the bonus number, it would have been another £500,000. But a million is enough at the moment.
“I cycle everywhere, so I don’t have a car. But it will be something for the kids. It’s £1million for our family, not for us.
“We want to get a family car because we have grandchildren. I look after them on a Monday and a Tuesday.
“We won’t change, we will be the same. It’s just you have some money to be the same with.
“We still have our numbers for tonight’s draw. I just hope we win that one.”
HELLO KITTY! – These adorable pictures show the real Hello Kittys! - rescue kittens that travel Japan in their owner's arms, bike basket and leads
Image by: Daisuke Nagasawa
These adorable pictures show the real Hello Kittys! - rescue kittens that travel Japan in their owner's arms, bike basket and leads.
Daisuke Nagasawa, 50 and his faithful furry pals Daikichi, 13 and Fuku-Chan, 7 have spent the last three years travelling the land of the rising sun together.
The trio have visited all 47 prefectures across Japan including major landmarks like Mount Fuji, the cherry blossom gardens of Kyoto and the ‘Floating’ Torri gate in Hiroshima.
The rescue cats used to become frustrated with Daisuke’s long absences during his business trips.
After several complaints from cat sitters regarding the moggy's bad behavior Daisuke - who runs a tech company - devised the idea to take them along with him.
Daisuke enjoyed travelling with his cats so much that he started the Instagram page '@the.travellingcats' to share their journey across Japan with the world wide web.
The paw-some pair quickly gained a flock of feline loving followers and are fast becoming social media superstars as they continue to share all of their amazing adventures.
Daisuke shot this latest collection of videos between June and October this year.
The footage includes visits to the ancient 500 year old towers on Itsukushima Island,The floating shrine in Miyajima, Hiroshima as well as a wealth of scenic Japanese countryside
Image by: Daisuke Nagasawa
Image by: Daisuke Nagasawa
Image by: Daisuke Nagasawa
Image by: Daisuke Nagasawa
Daisuke said: “2019 has been great for us. So excited to have two kinds of our travel photo books published. We appear on two TV programs and two radio programs so far, and we had never been expected such lucky things would happen before.”
“Our favourite destination this year was the beach called “Kinenhama” in Tokunoshima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture. It exactly looked like Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia.”
“The cats enjoy walking by themselves even without leashes, but normally we never allow them to do that for the security reasons.”
"We’ll start to travel up to the Southernmost islands in Okinawa Pref from the beginning of 2020. And in Summer the Olympic Games will be held in Tokyo, so we’d like to report the best sightseeing sports for visitors in Tokyo area."
The footage also shows the reunion of tabby Daikichi and his rescuer Kaiko at Lake Akan in Hokkadio.
Although seeing her for the first time in a decade Daikichi recognises Kaiko instantly and lies down next to her for head scratches and belly rubs.
Regarding his kitty's long over due reunion with his rescuer Daisuke said:
"Daikichi was very happy to see Kaiko again as you see in the video. Cats never forget their benefactors"
"She found Dakichi ten years ago and saved him from an extremely cold winter season in Hokkadio"
Video by: Gabriella Petty
