Jess Young

Jersey worn by baseball legend Babe Ruth could sell for over $30m

By Dean Murray

A jersey worn by baseball legend Babe Ruth could sell for over $30m.

The New York Yankees top could become the most expensive sports collectible ever, beating a $12.6m 1952 Mickey Mantle Topps card.

Babe Ruth, one of the most famous and iconic figures in American sports history, wore the photo-matched garment to Game 3 of the 1932 World Series in Chicago.

Bearing Ruth’s No. 3 on the back, the jersey will be offered by Dallas-based Heritage Auctions at a sale event ending 25 August.

Chris Ivy, Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage, says: “Ruth’s World Series jersey is the most significant piece of American sports memorabilia to be offered at auction in decades.

“Given its history, its mythology, we expect that when the final bid is placed, it will hold the record as the most expensive sports collectible ever to cross the auction block.”

Heritage Auctions say the jersey is twice authenticated and recently matched to several photographs from the era.

They say: “Ruth gifted the jersey to a Florida man following a round of golf, where it remained until the man’s daughter auctioned it nearly two decades ago.”

The record for the most expensive sports collectible belongs to another Yankees legend, Mickey Mantle, whose 1952 Topps card sold for $12.6 million at Heritage in August 2022.

by Jess Young

Woman overcoming fear of rejection by deliberately making herself super awkward

By Amy Reast

A woman is curing her debilitating fear of rejection by deliberately undertaking awkward challenges - and is becoming "immune to embarrassment".

Sophie Jones, 22, felt held back how much she feared rejection and deeply cared what people thought of her.

Then she read about the idea of 'rejection therapy' - desensitising yourself to rejection and embarrassment by exposing yourself to those situations regularly.

So Sophie, from Warrington, Cheshire, decided to tackle her fears by doing 30 days of rejection therapy - putting herself in positions she was likely to encounter rejection.

So far she has asked to sing on stage at a theatre, have a tour of a supermarket warehouse, and take a pizza out of a stranger's trolley - and been rejected each time.

She has also invited someone to film a video with her and joined in with a stranger's TikTok dance.

The social media manager said: "I decided to do this after I went to film a dance in the park and realised the idea of doing it in front of people would terrify me.

"The challenge is about knowing you can do a silly thing and desensitising yourself to fear and judgement.

"It applies to all aspects of life - imagine what you could do if you didn't hold yourself back and could push yourself out your comfort zone.

"I'm noticing little changes already.

"For my TikTok I often have to push myself out my comfort zone to do comedy videos and it can make me anxious.

"But I filmed one today and I didn't even feel anxiety. Everyone was looking at me but I wasn't bothered.

"It felt really freeing not caring."

Sophie comes up with ideas for her challenges herself, or by searching on social media for similar challenges others have done.

Sophie said the most difficult challenge so far has been asking to look around the supermarket warehouse.

It was so anxiety-inducing for her that she was nervous to continue the challenge the following day.

But she pushed on and continued - as that's the point of the challenge.

She said: "When I first started, I was terrified - but that showed I needed to do it."

Sophie has only been doing the daily challenges for a week - but said she's already noticing a difference in her mindset.

She added: "I'm realising it's never as bad as you think it will be, and the world will keep turning!

"I'd recommend the challenge to others - it's scary but when you push past the fear you feel more confident."

Ideas for future challenges include going into a bed store and asking to have a nap, asking to slide down a fireman's pole, and asking strangers if she can try on their sunglasses.

by Jess Young

Young boy who loves the police wears cop uniform to help keep town safe

By Lauren Beavis

An autistic child who loves the police wears a cop uniform to help control traffic on his street.

Finley Bollen, six, dresses in an officer's hat and outfit everyday - keeping his town and its people safe on the roads.

He has autism, ADHD and sensory processing disorder - but his mum Emma says being a copper has 'transformed' him and his behaviours for the better.

Finley, of Clevedon, North Somerset, is well known in his home town and gets saluted as he does his duties.

Emma said: "As a mother who is so proud of her son who struggles with life to have found his thing it is amazing - and he is keeping Clevedon safe!

"The cars slow down for him - he gets beeped, salutes and waves wherever he goes, everyone loves him!

"Wherever he goes wants to be the guy who looks after the safety of everything - keeping an eye on the road, he loves it.

"He can be very challenging but oh my gosh being a policeman has transformed him.;;

The young boy's passion for policing started about a year ago, when he found a deep interest in blockages, road signs, road safety and police duties.

But last month he decided to turn his hobby into a reality - as he patrols not only on the road he lives on, but also the local train station and anywhere he attends which needs an extra touch of safety.

Finley likes his doughnuts on the job and uses a hairdryer as a speed gun.

He wears his cop outfit everyday to school - and Emma admits his police hat "is always on - whenever we go".

The mum-of-two who lives Clevedon said: "The police thing has been one of his obsessional things which he just absolutely loves.

"When Finley knows what he wants and likes it, he will take it very serious - he's so quirky and funny and just amazing."

"He wears his UK or US cop outfit and keeps everyone in order wherever he goes.

"Even when we were in Turkey on holiday last month he decided to help keep the peace at the pool.

"Even when we go to hospital appointments - which he used to absolutely hate - when he wears his cop outfit they are so successful, and they haven't been like that since he was one.

"Being a police officer has dominated him into a different kind of being and it is working is so many different ways!

"He even started directing the traffic at the ski centre a couple of weeks ago.

"It's so funny because everyone goes into character around him.

"If you talk to him like a cop you are sorted!"

Emma admits she is not allowed to sit near Finley when he is completing his control checks, she explained: "I love it, I go and sit with him but he doesn't like me to be there because he doesn't want anyone to think he's not official.

"But as a mother I can't let my six-year-old sit on the road and direct traffic - so I am always standing by!

"I know have a fold-away chair so I can sit on the other side of the road to keep an eye."

by Jess Young

Couple take pet parrots to the shops, opticians - and even pub lunches

By Josie Adnitt

A couple take their pet parrots to the shops, opticians, supermarket, Chinese takeaway - and the pub.

Anne Spider-McKeown, 64, and partner Spider Spider, 66, who changed his name by deed poll to reflect his love of animals, rescued three Macaws in early 2020.

The trio – Chester and bonded pair Charlie and Elwood – were initially adopted by Anne and Spider after they had to give up their motorbike hobby after coming down with Covid in January 2020.

Sadly, Macaw Elwood, who was disabled and looked after by Charlie, passed away in July last year.

Chester had bonded with Anne, and after Elwood’s death Spider says he became better friends with Charlie.

Charlie doesn’t fly, as Elwood couldn’t fly and Charlie would look after the fellow bird – but since Elwood’s death, the couple have been trying to help him find his wings.

Now, Anne and Spider are regularly spotted out and about with the parrots – going to the supermarket, B&Q and even the local pub together.

Spider, from Birmingham, said: “Whenever we go pub for lunch with the birds, we always take them.

“Going out with them turns any shopping trip about three times longer – we don’t mind though, we love people asking questions, it’s great to interact with people.

“It’s an eye-opener for people, lots of people are gobsmacked that the birds are real and I'm not walking around with a stuffed parrot on my shoulder.

“Anne loves birds and always wanted a blue and gold Macaw since being a child, so we thought we could rehome a couple as a new hobby.

“It's like having two three-year-old kids in the house.

“Charlie used to come with us to all sorts of places and then a bit later we decided we would harness train Chester so he could have same element of freedom.

“Generally, they’re very happy to interact with people, when they’re both in the right mood they’ll let strangers give them treats – people are surprised they’re so gentle with their big beaks.”

The retired couple have made some changes to their garden to accommodate the birds, installing a huge bird net nine feet high outside.

They say they wanted to make sure the parrots could have some freedom, so they let them out into the garden under supervision.

Spider says the birds have big personalities – and says Chester is very protective of Anne, even telling Spider off if he goes near her.

And he says he’s been amazed by Charlie’s changed personality – saying the relationship between human and bird is like human and child.

Spider said: “When we lost Elwood, Charlie very distraught so i Ia lot of work into letting him know he had a friend in me.

“Now Charlie has become my best pal. Charlie says hello, hello Charlie and will sing in his own way which is something he never did before.

“Chester will talk more readily than Charlie, when the phone rings Chester is the first to say hello.

“We have a lot of fun with them, they’re loveable characters.”

by Jess Young

21-year-old gives OAP boxing lessons

By Samuel Wightwick

A 21-year-old is helping the elderly stay fit - by giving them boxing lessons.

Bailey-Greetham Clark started his company 'Be Great Fitness' in 2020 when he was just 17.

It all started when he was asked to speak at 'Flourish', a day center for adults with educational needs.

After this experience, Bailey realised that people from vulnerable groups do not have the same access to sport and fitness as others.

So Bailey set up his own wellbeing company to make sport and fitness accessible to schools, hospitals, community centers and care homes.

Bailey, from Lincolnshire, Grimsby, said: "I realised that these groups needed the help pretty quickly.

"Coming out of the pandemic, care homes were the last to come out of full lockdown.

"We thought it was essential to bring fitness into them especially, just to spread some joy and cheer.

"Sport and exercise cheer people up, we make jokes and have a laugh with everyone, and we make their day better."

Bailey takes his fitness classes to 20-30 different care homes, and runs one hour sessions with the residents.

These range from simple boxing drills to hand eye coordination games- everything to improve the residents fitness and mental health.

Since posting videos on social media of these sessions, the interest in the business has never been stronger.

With videos ranging from 1,000 to 700,000 views, it has lead to lots of interest, and Bailey has never been busier.

He said: "We started by putting ourselves forward to care homes, but now we get tons of enquiries, my calendar is insane at the moment!

"We’re trying to get more people added to our team and roll sessions out nationally, and we're working with partners at the minute to build on that.

"I just want to ensure that the people have my passion and enthusiasm- that's the next challenge, but it's a great one to have!"

Bailey struggled with a challenging upbringing, and was taken in by his grandparents - kickstarting his passion for helping the elderly

When he was 14, he was forced to take a year out of school, which lead to him struggling with his weight.

But when he discovered boxing and running as a way to keep fit- his whole outlook changed.

He returned to s=chool, achieved his GCSE's and started working at his local boxing club- setting him on the pathway to where he is today.

Bailey said: "Seeing first hand the genuine impact we make is insane.

"We can go into homes and show our ability to bring spirits up of not only residents, but the staff too.

"One of the care homes recorded a video saying how much they enjoyed the session, and one woman said how much she loves my legs!

"That genuine impact on people you don’t always get in other industries, and we can really see the benefit.

"It's beautiful and it keeps me going, it sounds corny but it genuinely does!"

by Jess Young

Banksy street bollard could fetch $50k

A Banksy ‘Gangsta Rat’ artwork on a street bollard could fetch $50k.

An auction features the mysterious artist’s work he sprayed on the street furniture in hometown of Bristol in 2009.

The black aerosol stencil painting shows a rat with a boombox, with the animal representing an uprising of the masses against capitalistic society.

The piece will feature in a sale by Los Angeles-based Julien’s Auctions, along with other of Banksy’s works.

A ‘Placard Rat’ drawn on a newsagents board in Grays Inn Road, London, in early 2004, is estimated to fetch $40k – $50k.

While a rat wearing a bowler hat, painted by Banksy on a steel door in Berlin in 2004, has been estimated $30k – $50k.

Banksy’s work is joined by other iconic artists including Shepard Fairey, known for his Barack Obama Hope poster, and Invader, whose mosaic artworks have appeared in cities around the world.

David Goodman, CEO of Julien’s Auctions, says: “Julien’s has put together an unrivalled collection of the most fearless and stirring underground works of rebellion from the streets’ most legendary guerrilla art warriors.

“From Banksy’s signature Rats to Invader’s beloved Aliens to Shephard Fairey’s Hand of Doom, their defining works represent the street art movement’s most powerful and provocative statements of all time.”

The Street Art Invasion auction will take place on 11 July.

by Jess Young

Witness one of the world's largest whisky collections

By Elizabeth Hunter

These stunning photos show one of the world's largest whisky collections - featuring more than 3,000 bottles of Scotch.

The collection, which contains 3,384 bottles of Scotch whisky, was curated by Claive Vidiz, a Brazilian whisky enthusiast who dedicated 35 years to collecting bottles of various types, costs and rarities.

Images of the unique set have been released ahead of World Whisky Day being held tomorrow (Saturday).

Vidiz, who spent his career working in the pharmaceutical industry, was introduced to the booze by a Scottish colleague, who visited with six bottles of Islay Malt - and began his obsession.

In 2006, the collection was purchased by whisky distiller Diageo, and stored at the Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh.

Vidiz said after the purchase: "We have an expression in Brazil - ‘the good son returns home’ - and in my view the collection is back with its family now"

Now housed in Scotland's capital city, visitors to the Scotch Whisky Experience can study every bottle in the collection - which includes a 22 year old Glen Grant, produced by a now-defunct Glasgow distillery.

A representative from the Scotch Whisky Experience said: "One of the most unique aspects of this collection was Claive’s desire to collect as wide a range of whisky as possible, from the most accessible to the rarest, including eccentric and unusual items.

"Having been preserved in its entirety, we have an invaluable insight into the recent history and branding of Scotch whisky; a unique “snapshot” of 35 years of the Scotch whisky industry."

by Jess Young

Guide dog has £5k operation to regain eyesight after going blind

By Jake Meeus-Jones

A former guide dog has undergone a £5k operation to prevent her going blind.

Alice, a 14-year-old Labrador Retriever cross, had a four-hour procedure to remove ulcers on her eyes.

Owner Michelle Earl, 52, took in Alice after her career as a guide dog came to an end five years ago following her previous owner's death.

Michelle, a nanny, from Sevenoaks, Kent, said: "She was just amazing at what she did as a guide dog.

"We took her to see an eye specialist last week and he thinks she's had a problem since birth.

"She's always had cloudy blue eyes but more recently she's had ulcers in both eyes and they haven't cleared up and unless she had this operation she'd be totally blind.

"The consultant said he's never seen a lab as fit and healthy as Alice apart from her eyes."

Alice has had problems with her eyes since birth but they have deteriorated in recent years.

"In the end she wasn't a rubbish guide dog but because of her sight she wasn't quite up to it she didn't quite hit the grade anymore," said Michelle.

The operation took place at Medivet in Sidcup on Friday (03/05), and Alice will need her eyes bandaged for four or five weeks while she heals.

Michelle added: "Prior to the op she was just really subdued and quite sad and not really wanting to do much.

"I don't think she could see very well but because she was used to her surroundings it made it easier.

"She'll get the majority of her eyesight back after a few weeks.

"Hopefully she'll be okay, we'll be making sure she has someone with her at all times."

You can support Alice's recovery here: https://gofund.me/a56852bf

by Jess Young

Serial Gen-Z job hopper says staying in a role for "stability" is "miserable"

By Emma Dunn

A Gen-Z job hopper who has changed roles 17 times says older generations want her to be "miserable" by staying in a job for "stability".

Mich Marie, 26, has job hopped since she had her first job in a supermarket aged 14.

She spent her school years in different part-time roles such as in retail and restaurants.

After graduating with a degree in human services from New York City College of Technology, Brooklyn, Mich went on to try different positions such as a case manager, window install assistant and care coordinator.

Mich's longest role was a direct support professional which she held for two years and she tends to stay in her jobs for no longer than six months.

By doing so she has tried out a variety of positions and has increased her salary from $9-an-hour to $25-an-hour.

She hopes to one day be self-employed so she can escape 9am to 5pm work hours.

Mich, who is currently working as a behavioural advocate at a health insurance company, from New York City, US, said: "I job hop to see what makes sense.

"I'm still working out what things I like.

"Job hopping has a lot to do with being overworked and underpaid.

"Job hopping gets a bad reputation.

"People who are older than I am, the older generations, they see it as people who job hop are never going to be have security and stability.

"These people want us to be miserable and want us to stay in a job that no longer suits us."

Mich started working at a young age so she had her own money to buy what she wanted.

She said: "I started working at 14 - I did retail, a host in a restaurant, admin work."

Mich started studying for her human services degree in 2017 and held down a part time job working with individuals with disabilities throughout.

After graduating in 2020 she went down a more corporate route doing roles in case management and health insurance.

Mich has been in her current role for six months but usually moves on around this time.

She said: "Jobs get at least six months out of me.

"If they're going to take advantage of you, I'm going to leave."

Mich's first job at 14 started on $9-an-hour and now she makes $25-an-hour but can find the work "overwhelming".

She said: "I definitely see myself being in the public eye.

"I want to be a model, or content creator or to own a business.

"I want to do something that I enjoy. I want to make an impact.

"It's depressing when you work a job you don't want to do."

Mich feels there is a lot of shame surrounding job hopping but she would rather shop around than spend years miserable in one role.

She said: "I don't have kids or responsibilities. Why can't I do what I want and figure out what I want to do?

"I'm taking advantage of this time and creating something for myself.

"Job hopping has never impacted me getting a job. I'm very extroverted and open minded to learning about different fields.

"I've had the ability and advantage of meeting so many different individuals.

"You can be whatever you aspire to be, no matter where you’re from."

List of her job roles -

Supermarket cashier/stock

Retail

Sales

Babysitting

Administrative assistant

Restaurant host

Summer Youth

Hotel maintenance (cleaning job)

Window install assistant

Electrician Intern

Direct support professional (working with individuals with disabilities)

Case manager

Case worker

Substance/ behavioural advocate

Health insurance

Customer service representative

Care coordinator

by Jess Young