Sisters with deadly cancer diagnosed just weeks of each other -- but only one of them will survive
Two sisters have told of their heartbreak after both were diagnosed with the same rare aggressive cancer just weeks apart - with only one set to beat the killer disease.
Julia Gailes, 48, found a lump in her left breast and while she was waiting for test results, sister Wendy Moffett, 57, discovered an identical lump in her right boob.
Not wanting to worry her little sister, Wendy secretly had tests, and was diagnosed with the same cancer as Julia, five weeks after her sibling.
The pair both had single mastectomies two months apart, and Julia had chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
They supported each other throughout 18 months of treatment, calling regularly and sending text messages to boost each other's spirits.
But while Julia was told she was in remission, Wendy was told she couldn't have chemotherapy due to a weak heart.
Just 10 months after her sister was given the all clear, Wendy was told her cancer was terminal, and she had one year to live.
Despite their starkly different prognosis', the pair are closer than ever, and threw a joint party to celebrate life.
Married mum-of-three Julia, from Consett, County Durham, said: "It's felt like the luck of the draw -- obviously I'd rather we'd not had it, but if I was going to go through this with anyone, it's Wendy.
"I can feel well for myself - but knowing that I’m going to be okay when Wendy will not be has been too much to bear."
Grandmother-of-four Wendy, a former end of life carer, from Bishop Auckland, said: "I didn't think when I was diagnosed that it would be what got me in the end. But at least I've had Julia.
"I know it's been hard on Julia, because she's surviving when I'm not. But it's okay. I’m not fed up, I’m not angry, I’m not overly upset -- it’s just happened."
Shop worker Julia found a lump in her left breast in May, 2017, when she happened to brush her hand across her breast and felt it, and was diagnosed later that month.
Unknown to her, Wendy was secretly waiting for her biopsy results after finding similar lumps on her right breast, following a regular checkup.
Though Wendy knew about Julia’s diagnosis, she didn’t tell her sister she might also have cancer because she didn’t want to stress her out during her ordeal.
“I didn’t want to alarm her - but we’re such close sisters that afterwards I felt silly for not having told her straight away,” Wendy said.
Five weeks after Julia’s diagnosis, Wendy was told that she had also been diagnosed with triple negative -- the exact same strain of the disease, in July 2017.
Julia and Wendy, a mum-of-three, are two of 8,000 women in the UK this year alone who will contract triple negative breast cancer, according to Breast Cancer Care.
This vein of cancer is not fuelled by oestrogen and progesterone, which means it doesn't respond to hormonal therapy medicines.
Triple negative breast cancer cells produce too much of the HER2 protein, meaning that cells divide too quickly and the cancer is more likely to spread and to recur.
It can only be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.
Though Wendy and Julia had genetic tests to see if the disease is hereditary, there's no risk for their children.
Wendy was treated at Darlington Hospital at the same time that Julia was being treated in Hexham -- and both sisters lost one breast each.
Julia's breast was removed in December 2017, after she had a failed lumpectomy.
Wendy had her mastectomy in August 2017 because she couldn't have intensive treatment.
Julia had an aggressive first round of chemotherapy between May and October in 2017, 15 days radiotherapy in February, and another six months' chemotherapy from March.
Wendy had already fought off breast cancer five years earlier, so could only have five days of radiotherapy, due to intense treatment first time round.
She also has dilated cardiomyopathy, which reduces the heart’s ability to pump blood -- and which stopped her from having chemotherapy.
“Because I’d had that cancer, though, and I’d had the radiotherapy back then, the doctor said I could only really have five days’ extra treatment," she said.
“My weak heart means I’ve never had chemo.”
Julia went into remission and was declared free of triple negative in March 2018.
But Wendy’s health took an unfortunate turn for the worst.
Just days after her mastectomy in August 2017, she had a massive heart attack.
She was rushed to a coronary clinic before being immediately transferred to The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough for one month.
Wendy was then fitted with a pacemaker and defibrillator -- which she said has set her back enormously and slowed her down.
“Heart failures put everything on hold,” she said. “I can’t move or stand as much as I used to now. I’ll never get back to how I was before.”
She Wendy found more cancerous growths on her surgical scars and down her back in September 2018.
She was diagnosed with secondary cancer - which was "treatable but incurable" - in October, after it spread to her lungs.
Doctors said in January this year she was terminal, and she was given 12 months to live.
But Wendy has remained positive - and in sisterly style is more worried about her sibling than herself.
“Julia was able to have a round of chemo, followed by a round of radiotherapy, and another round of chemo, and it looks, on that basis, like the treatment obviously worked," said Wendy.
“But because of what’s happened to me, it’s something that she will always have hanging over her.
"She'll be thinking -- ‘Will it come back?’ I know she’s wondering.
“We’ve chatted loads about it and at the back of her mind, she knows that she’s beaten the cancer - at least, for now.
“She’s thinking a lot about if it grows back, like it did for me.
"I know I would be the same if I had beaten it and Julia was diagnosed with secondary cancer.
“It’s something that you can never put out of your mind.”
Julia, who cares for her autistic son, Lewis, nine, and her father James, 79, who has vascular dementia, said she checks every day that her tumours haven't returned.
"I’m not confident it won’t come back," said Julia, who has husband Andrew, 50.
"Although they told me that I’m cancer free, I still check along my scars every day for little lumps.
“This particular cancer is so aggressive, and because it returned along Wendy’s scar lines I’m checking all the time.
“Every time I cough, I think there might be a speck in my lungs. I’m petrified.
“I can’t go through chemo again. It was horrific.
“Thinking about the cancer returning moves me to tears.”
She’s found it hard to accept that Wendy will not survive the same cancer that she has now been declared free of.
“I can feel well for myself - but knowing that I’m going to be okay when Wendy will not be has been too much to bear," she said.
Julia and Wendy threw a gala in March and raised £5,000 for Breast Cancer Care.
Through her Facebook blog, Julia’s Jugs’ Journey, she raised £2,500.
Despite the immense trials she has faced, Wendy is taking each day as it comes.
"I know it's been hard on Julia, because she's surviving when I'm not. But it's okay. I’m not fed up, I’m not angry, I’m not overly upset -- it’s just happened," she said.
“There’s no rage, I don’t feel unlucky -- I’ve accepted it.
“My focus is on every month -- I like to think that I’m a glass half full person.
“I won’t go down without a fight.”
Image by: Julia GailesVideo by: Lee Mclean SWNS
Family of a baby boy given three months to live are desperately waiting to see if the NHS will pay for the drug that could save his life
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
The family of a baby boy given three months to live are desperately waiting to see if the NHS will pay for the drug that could save his life.
Six-month-old Haris Khan was born with a rare and debilitating genetic disorder, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), also known as floppy baby syndrome.
When his family were given the devastating diagnosis this month they were also delivered the mortifying blow that the drug that could give him a better, longer life had been pulled in November last year.
Now, Haris' dad, salesman Shakeel, is joining a protest next month - along with other SMA families - to fight for the £450,000-a-year drug, Spinraza.
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
They will be gathering outside the NICE offices in Manchester next Tuesday ahead of a crucial meeting to come to an agreement over funding.
In the meantime, adorable Haris, from Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester, is in intensive care at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital attached to an apparatus that helps him breathe.
His family of 31-year-old dad, mum, shop assistant Renata, 26, and nine-year-old brother Marijus, are staying at a local hotel so they can be at Haris' bedside 24/7.
They fear each moment could be his last.
On February 14, specialist doctors told the family Haris has the severest form of the illness, type 1, which affects the nerve cells needed to control the muscles we use for moving, swallowing and breathing.
The irony is, that if Haris had been diagnosed sooner - he was born in August last year - he would have already been given the drug, as it available on a pre-approval basis.
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
The first British girl to receive it, Annabelle Rose Thomas, has come off breathing support, can swallow food and has even ridden a horse.
But last summer, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) said it was not recommending Spinraza be available on the NHS in England because the cost was deemed 'too high for it to be considered a cost-effective use of NHS resources'.
It remains available in Scotland and several other European countries.
Biogen, the company which makes the drug, charges almost £600,000 for it in the US market.
It is offering Spinraza at a lower price of £450,000 for the first year in the UK, and offered an undisclosed discount to the NHS, but it was still not enough.
Shakeel said: "Only a hundred babies a year maximum need that treatment. We, as a country, are losing a hundred babies because we don't think it's justified to save them.
"These organisations are using my son as a bartering tool. The best I can do is to save my son, or keep him with us for as long as possible.
"I'm just beginning my journey in parenthood - I want him here as long as he can be.
"There is a one in four chance my next child will have this - we can't have any more children."
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
Amazingley, the Wythenshawe community had shown tremendous support for the Khan family.
Every neighbour on their street has a poster in the window about SMA.
Marijus' school and the Rainbow Trust Children's Charity are helping the family any way they can.
Whatever the outcome for Haris and the decision on March 6, Shakeel and Renata don't want other families to go through the same ordeal.
"We might only have my Haris for a few months, so I've got to create a legacy for him," said Shakeel.
"The NHS don't screen for SMA at birth.
"Had they screened him in August when he was born, the treatment was available until November on the Early Access Programme.
"Eighty infants are on that - Haris would have been 81.
"That's one thing we're calling for."
Haris is the youngest child with SMA to feature on a leaflet being handed out to all MPs this week by the charity Muscular Dystrophy UK.
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
Shakeel wants as many people as possible to be aware of the fight and support the cause.
"Every SMA parent is waking up thinking 'is this our child's last day?' he said.
A spokesperson for NHS England said: "We understand how difficult and frustrating it is for families waiting for decisions to be taken on the funding of new treatments, which is why the company must price this drug responsibly and at a level which is both cost effective and affordable to the NHS.
"It is disappointing that Biogen chose to close the Early Access Programme for new patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 before the NICE assessment process had been completed."
A JustGiving page has been set up to raise money to support the Khan family's campaign to improve awareness of SMA. It is also where Shakeel is posting updates on Haris and his battle. You can visit and donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/littleharis?utm_id=69
Video by: Matthew Newby SWNS
RSPB hit out at local council for netting up a cliff stopping birds from nesting
Video by: Margaret Wilcox 
Image by: Margaret Wilcox
Bird lovers hit out at a council putting up netting on a cliff side preventing sand martins from nesting.
The RSPB say that the netting is risking the lives of the birds as they may get stuck in it.
The RSPB shared a video on Twitter and said the effect of the material, which resembles a football net, was "heart breaking" and said that the council "have not taken out (and their contractor's) original advice."
The netting was put up on the Bacton cliff side, Norfolk, to deter wildlife from nesting during a project to stop erosion.
North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) will move 1.8 million cubic metres of sand from the cliff side and on to the beach.
The council says this will protect Bacton village from flooding for "up to 20 years".
An online petition to stop the nets, has been created to: "Grant legal protection to Swallow, Swift and Martin nest sites not just nests."
The petition has gained over 25,000 signatures to protect locations similar to the Bacton coast.
A spokesperson for the RSPB said: "We are disappointed that North Norfolk District Council have placed netting on the cliffs at Bacton to prevent sand martins from nesting.
We can confirm the Council's actions do not follow RSPB advice, or indeed their own construction plans."
Based on the images we have seen published, our advice has not been followed and we will be reaching out to NNDC to offer further advice and support."
The decision has sparked outrage on social media, with some users sharing videos saying: "These innocent Sand Martins have travelled thousands of miles to revisit our amazing country & to find their nest sites netted up like this is crazy.
"Whoever's ordered this, needs their family home taken from them!"
A North Norfolk District Council spokesman said: “The Bacton/Walcott Coastal Management Scheme (the Bacton Sandscaping Scheme) is a highly complex project.
“It has been designed to protect hundreds of homes in Bacton and Walcott, and the critical infrastructure of Bacton Gas Terminal, for many years to come, and has been five years in the planning.
“It has been subject to full environmental impact assessment, planning permission and marine licence applications.
“We understand that the RSPB have concerns around the temporary netting element of the project and we are intending to meet with them and contractors on site to fully assess what those concerns are."
Image by: James Linsell Clark SWNS
Image by: Margaret Wilcox
North Norfolk District Council have given into pressure and have agreed to remove controversial netting on a cliff side that is preventing birds from accessing their nests.
Following a meeting with the Nature's Voice the Council have announced: "Following positive discussions with the RSPB and Natural England today, we have instructed contractors to remove the upper levels of netting on Bacton cliffs.
"Minimum levels will be retained to assist in progressing with this critical project to protect people’s homes and national infrastructure.
"Following this, ongoing discussions will take place between NNDC and the RSPB about the material to be used on the lower section of cliff to allow this to happen.
"Please also be aware that these cliffs are not safe to climb on. Please don’t attempt to do this. A team of abseiling professionals will carry out the work in the next 24 hours."
The RSPB are unhappy with the result as it doesn't go far enough to protect sand martins and other birds.
A spokesperson said: "The issue and images of the Bacton cliff netting have been very upsetting for all.
"We are pleased to have had a conversation with North Norfolk District Council this afternoon about the situation. During the conversation, the Council committed to removing the netting covering the upper section of the cliffs tomorrow once their abseiling teams are available.
“We will be taking up an invitation from the Council to visit the site as soon as possible this week to discuss our outstanding concerns. This will cover our concerns regarding the 1.3km length of the netted cliff face that will remain.
"We will ask the Council to reduce this to 50m maximum and keep to a height of 7m. We will also be raising the issue of the material currently in use.
"We will be re-outlining our original recommendation of geotextile meshing to ensure that the burrows in the sandscaping zone are not smothered; in addition, by using geotextile it will also ensure no birds can be trapped.
“We will continue to keep everyone updated as the situation develops. Thank you for your concern regarding the sand martins.”
Two separate online petitions in connection have been signed by hundreds of thousands of people.
The petition 'Make 'netting' hedgerows to prevent birds from nesting a criminal offence' has over 260,000 signatures, and was supported by Labour MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Education Angela Rayner.
The other, 'Grant legal protection to Swallow, Swift and Martin nest sites not just nests' has close to 40,000 signatures.
A protest has been organised at Bacton beach, Norfolk at 5pm this evening (8/9), by a private Facebook group in which members have threatened to remove the netting themselves.
The hashtag 'NetsDownForNature' has been trending on Twitter throughout the day.
Image by: James Linsell Clark SWNS
Image by: James Linsell Clark SWNS
Shocking footage shows brainless driver going the wrong way on the M1
Video by: Mark Thomas 
Image by: Mark Thomas
Shocking footage shows a brainless driver risking lives by going the wrong way on the M1 – before trying to correct his error by reversing up the fast lane.
The elderly motorist turned right and crossed three lanes of the busy motorway before driving towards oncoming traffic.
When the male driver realised his mistake he tried to reverse back along the fast lane before pulling forward again.
The driver eventually manages to reverse back up the road before driving the wrong way down the sliproad.
The video shows the hapless motorist join the southbound carriageway of the M1 at Milton Keynes, Bucks., at 1pm on Monday (1/4).
Lorry driver Mark Thomas, 54, captured the terrifying moment on his dashcam as he drove from Tilbury Docks in Essex.
The divorced dad-of-one, of Shrewsbury, Shrops., said: “I was really shaken up by it, he could have killed someone, I couldn’t believe it.
“I was driving in the middle lane and noticed in the distance was not quite right.
“I was doing around 60mph when I saw the car coming up on the fast lane, and slowed down to 40mph in an instant.
“I just slowed right down and put on the hazard warning lights.
“I could see a young bloke in the white van next to me brake hard and he was really straining on the seatbelt.
“The man in the silver car looked like he was 65 to 70 and was very confused.
“He might not have understood the signs. I wondered if he might be a foreigner.
“When he was reversing on the fast lane I was shouting out the window at him to turn around, in fact I went hoarse from shouting.
"He tried reversing back down the carriageway a couple of times until he weaved his way back down the fast lane and goes the wrong way down the slip road.
"It was lucky it was a clear day because if it had been foggy that would have been it. The road was busy with cars and lorries like mine and he could have caused carnange.
“I have been a trucker for 32 years and this is the first time I’ve seen anything like this.
“I sent the dashcam to the police and they say someone has already reported it, I don’t know what’s happened to the driver."
Image by: Mark Thomas
Image by: Steve Chatterley
The 16-year-old boy convicted of raping and murdering Alesha MacPhail was named in court as Aaron Campbell
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
The 16-year-old boy convicted of raping and murdering Alesha MacPhail was named in court as Aaron Campbell.
The depraved teen was given anonymity throughout his trial at the High Court in Glasgow, due to his age.
Scotland gives people under the age of 18 statutory anonymity under Section 47 of the Criminal procedure (Scotland) Act 1995.
But a judge can be requested to lift the ban, if it is considered to be in the public interest, so a criminal can be named and pictured.
Campbell, from Ardbeg, Isle of Bute, was told that the rape, murder and abduction of six-year-old Alesha was among the ‘wickedest’ crimes ever heard at the High Court in Glasgow.
Judge Lord Matthews, who presided over the nine-day trial, held a hearing to decide whether anonymity should be lifted.
Campbell was present at the hearing along with dozens of reporters, and lawyers.
Before September 2015, his identity would have been known to the general public during the trial as anonymity was granted to those under the age of 16.
However, the law in Scotland changed to become aligned with the rest of the UK.
During the trial, Campbell’s identity was protected due to his age - however, he tried to pin the blame on Alesha’s father’s girlfriend, Toni-Louise McLachlan, aged 18.
Campbell cited a special defence of incrimination blaming her for Alesha’s murder.
This was cited as a public interest reason for naming him.
Public interest reasons were cited as the abhorrent nature of the crimes, in which the public will have had ‘substantial interest’, and that the prohibition on identification would end on Campbell’s 18th birthday, on May 16 2020.
It was said that due to the murder conviction, the sentence would cause him to be jailed beyond his 18th birthday, when the anonymity would end.
Image by: Simon Galloway
Crucial to the decision to name Aaron Campbell was the accusations he made against Toni-Louise McLachlan, aged 18.
Representing Scots media organisations urging Lord Matthews to lift the ban, Anthony Graham QC told the court that the allegations Campbell made against Ms McLachlan was a ‘substantial attempt to pervert the course of justice’.
Mr Graham said: “The incriminee enjoyed no statutory protection and was named and photographed and had her photographs published.
“He has introduced the issue of sexual involvement with the incriminee.
“By the very nature of that defence and by finding him party to that defence, the pannel has introduced to the trial adult themes.”
No appeal was lodged by Campbell’s defence, Brian McConnachie QC.
But the brief told the court that Campbell was ‘at risk of attack’.
Mr McConnachie said: “There was a history of self-harm, of anxiety and he had been tested for ADHD and was awaiting further testing due at the time of his arrest.
“As far as he’s concerned, there’s issues both with attack from others and the potential matter of self-harm.
“The onus is on the party seeking to have the prohibition lifted and to satisfy the court.”
Media lawyer Mr Graham said: “It’s naive to think he remains anonymous on Bute, a community in no little part affected by this.”
And he said Campbell would be locked up at HMYOI Polmont in Falkirk until he was 21.
Judge Lord Matthews told the court: “Children don’t usually commit offences of this nature.”
Mr Graham concurred and said: “It’s unusual for a child to be convicted of murder.”
He urged for Campbell’s name, his address, his images, school and ‘such background which is not protected otherwise’ should be allowed to be published.
Granting the application, Lord Matthews said: “I intend to name the accused.”
Image by: Jon Mills
In a closing speech, advocate depute Iain McSporran QC described a “mountain of evidence” against the accused, and said there was not a “solitary piece of evidence” against Toni McLachlan.
A charge of defeating the ends of justice was dropped by the prosecution.
Mr McSporran told the jury: “You have to be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt.
“What does your common sense and experience of life tell you?
“There is so much evidence in this case that there is only one true verdict - of guilty.
“You must set aside any prejudices or feelings you may have.
“You must not be swayed or affected by the emotion of this case.
“I don’t intend to show any more images I believe there’s been shown enough.
“This must be one of the very worst cases for a jury to have to come and sit in.
“The absence of his DNA in Alesha’s bedroom is essentially neutral.
“The evidence proves the accused removed her from her house and raped her.
“If you look at the injuries caused to her it was obvious the injuries were caused in the same way.”
When Mr McSporran described details from the pathology report on Alesha MacPhail’s body, the girl’s mother Georgina Lochrane left the courtroom.
Mr McSporran said: “The fact of the matter is she [Alesha] left that house without anyone hearing.
“She had never even left the house before on her own.
“During the night whoever took her was able to do it without anyone in the house hearing.
“The pathologist showed her nose and mouth could’ve been clearly covered without her making a sound.
“He saw she was taken by someone strong enough to carry her, that someone being [the accused].
“It is very odd someone is abducted, raped and murdered after someone is seen walking along that shoreline.
“The Crown position isn’t that he was smoking, chatting and having sex with Toni McLachlan but abducting Alesha MacPhail.”
Describing the accused as a “confident young man”, Mr McSporran said he had told the police officers who interviewed him ‘a pack of lies’ and ‘spun them a yarn’ after his mother left the room.
Regarding allegations from the accused of Ms McLachlan “fantasising” about killing Alesha, Mr McSporran said: “Nowhere else in this case is there evidence about someone fantasising about killing anyone.
“He introduced that to the case.”
The prosecutor described the “emotional turmoil” the island was in around the time of Alesha’s death, where a young girl was found dead “in the worst circumstances”.
Mr McSporran said: “As the trial progressed it became clearer only one of two people could’ve been responsible for Alesha’s murder, [the accused] or Toni McLachlan.”
He noted that accusations against Toni were introduced by the accused, and no one else.
The brief said: “What a risk to go out an rendezvous with a man who’s not your boyfriend.
“Is that not a risk beyond worth taking?
“To return to the house wearing a stranger’s hoodie, smelling of smoke and carrying a used condom.
“There’s not one single solitary piece of evidence.”
Citing evidence against the accused, he referenced a knife from the boy’s house and clothing found on a beach, the traces of DNA and clothing fibres discovered, and the “lies” the accused told to his mother and the police.
In his closing words Mr McSporran said there was no evidence implicating Toni McLachlan, while there was “a mountain of evidence” against the accused.
Image by: Jon Mills
Defence brief Brian McConnachie QC urged the jury to acquit the teen - telling them the 16-year-old accused ‘did not have to prove’ that Toni McLachlan was responsible for the murder.
Mr McConnachie said: “You can’t let emotion get in the way, you will have to act like judges.
“It’s entirely a matter for you.
“The prosecution don’t just need to prove their case but they need to prove it to a particular standard - beyond a reasonable doubt.
“One of the things you need to understand is it’s not for the accused to prove Toni McLachlan done this - it’s not a who done it.
“You might believe Toni was involved or you might have a doubt.”
He questioned why Alesha did not scream when she was taken from her bedroom.
Mr McConnachie said: “This is a girl who would scream if somebody came into her room.
“The prosecution claim he took her out of the house, down all of the stairs then out of the property without her making a sound or him making a sound.”
Asking them to consider DNA evidence, he said: “The Crown understandably makes something of that.
“When the police comes round and he [the accused] gives his statement he gives them the DNA quite willingly and quite happily.”
And Mr McConnachie referred to a Facebook conversation when the accused and a pal were both aged 14, and discussed killing.
He added: “There are elements of this case where the crown are trying too hard to make something of nothing.”
He described the conversation as “just rubbish” and “teenage fantasy”.
Mr McConnnachie described the Snapchat video showing the teen ‘claiming to have found who done it’ as ‘bad taste’.
He said: “There’s no doubt it was in bad taste.”
And he said DNA and fibre sample evidence connecting the accused to the murder was ‘irrelevent’ due to the possibility of secondary transfer.
Mr McConnachie said: “The verdict has to be one of acquittal.”
The trial has been adjourned until tomorrow when Lord Matthews will direct the jury.
Desk the Halls
Image by: Steve Chatterley
For the third year running engineer Jack Makepeace has created a merry masterpiece of his workspace so he can celebrate Christmas on the job.
Officer manager of Ibsecad, David Coy, said Jack had "knocked it out of the park" in the first 'decorate your desk' contest.
David, who has worked at the firm for six years, said: "I set up the competition in 2016 to create a bit of festive cheer in the office.
"The rest of us used a bit on tinsel and a tree, then Jack created a masterpiece that was absolutely incredible - he deserved the prize of a bottle of JD.
"Last year it got bigger and this year I came in on Monday to an ice castle. Already we're excited to see what he'll do in 2019.
"We were slightly worried about what he could be getting up to in his boxed-in castle but he does sit next to the regional director, Antony Henson, and he has put a window in there so we can have a peek in."
Image by: Steve Chatterley
It is especially brave - as Jack's desk is located next to the boss.
Jack said: "It took me about five hours to make. I have a degree in engineering so, luckily, the drawbridge didn't pose too many problems to construct.
"I then went into the office on Sunday to staple the whole thing together. I promise it was all done in my own time."
Jack has always loved Christmas, but especially so because his blind wife loves all the sparkles.
Jack said: "Charlotte has a genetic disorder called retinitis pigmentosa which meant she lost her sight at 14-years-old.
"She only has a little light perception left so she can see all the sparkles, on the tinsel and from the lights, so it is a very special time for us."
The couple, who have been together five years, live together in Morley, West Yorks., with their guide dog, Moss.
Video by: Ellis Wylam
A Christmas-mad office worker has turned his desk into Britain's most festive workspace - transforming into a snow-covered castle complete with 'smoking' chimney.
For the third year running, engineer Jack Makepeace has created a merry masterpiece of his workspace so he can celebrate Christmas while on the job.
What started as a competition amongst colleagues at building services firm Ibsecad in Leeds, West Yorks., has now become a tradition - with Jack's workmates waiting in anticipation for his Christmassy creation.
This year the newly married Yuletide fan drew inspiration from his recent honeymoon to Sweden when he and new wife, student Charlotte, 23, visited the Ice Hotel.
The 24-year-old created a cardboard castle covered in snow with a working drawbridge and a tunnel for escaping smoke - if somebody vapes through it.
It comes complete with fairy lights, tinsel, penguins and sugar canes.
Jack sits inside his castle to do his work and sets his computer on log fire screensaver mode if he starts feeling the cold.
Image by: Steve Chatterley
Jack said: "I had only worked here a couple of months when the company first set a competition in 2016.
"Others had put Christmas trees on their desk and I decided I wanted to go 'out there' and build a festive house around me.
"I wasn't quite sure whether it was the right thing to do, with me only working here a short while, but I thought 'sod it, it can only make people smile'.
"It went down such a storm that my colleagues said I had to make a bigger house next year - which I did - this year I thought I better build a castle."
WATCH: Two adrenaline junkies cheat death climbing 784ft London skyscraper
Video by: Syed Bukhari 
Image by: Syed Bukhari
This is the heart-stopping moment two adrenaline junkies climb a 784ft skyscraper above Canary Wharf without safety ropes.
Syed Bukhari, 21, and Owen Reece, 18, scaled the Landmark Pinnacle building, which is set to become the tallest residential building in Europe when completed.
They raced up 75 flights of stairs before walking out to the end of a crane on Saturday afternoon.
After a 20 minute walk the pair can be seen balancing on the end of a crane with their arms in the air, while taking in the view of the City of London.
Syed, who runs dozens of similar urban explorer videos on YouTube channel SyedSB TV, said: “We chose that one because it’s one of the tallest buildings in London.
“The hardest thing is climbing up as your hands start to become tired.
“We stayed up there for an hour taking pictures as the view is one of the best things about doing it.
“People might slate us for doing it but I would just say to them 'you only live once'.
“We’re not playing another person’s life, only ours.
“We don’t want to be restrained and only do things ordinary people can do. We want to push ourselves.
“Anyone who does this sort of thing knows the risks so we know what we are getting ourselves into.”
Owen said: “We were there for a few hours waiting for the workers to go home
“Because it was rainy there were times when I thought ‘Yo this is sketchy to get down’.
“But we had to focus.
“I don’t really get nervous as I’ve been doing this for three years.
“We don’t really joke about.
“When we got to the top the view was incredible.
“We could see the whole of London.
“We could see so much the landscape started to look a bit round.
“I’d love to do something like the Eiffel Tower but we’ve got a few more in the pipeline.”
Image by: Syed Bukhari
Prisoners in smell block H
The toilet was installed by Transport for London for bus drivers caught short in the area, but locals are furious about the stone-grey building.
Local politicians in a leafy suburb have joined the fight against the "arrogant" plonking of a toilet block resembling a Dr Who Tardis on a residential street.
The toilet was installed by Transport for London for bus drivers caught short in the area, but locals are furious about the stone-grey building.
Hundreds of objectors have signed a petition against the private, driver-only toilet, known by fuming locals as 'the Turdis', in Biggin Hill, south east London.
Residents say they were given no warning about the permanent portaloo - and now local councillors have pitched in on the row.
There are now three of these bogs in Bromley, with others in Petts Wood and St Mary Cray.
The Biggin Hill bog has already had its window smashed, but neighbours claimed it was a bird.
Speaking last night (Tues), executive environment councillor William Huntington-Thresher said he was calling on TfL to lose the loo as soon as possible.
He said: “It appears TfL intended to notify residents but this did not happen,.
“It is disappointing TfL did not consult residents, and it is also disappointing TfL did not attempt to locate toilets that can be used by a number of bus routes.
“They clearly decided to install these with minimum effort on their part.
“I would agree with residents the location is entirely unsuitable and call upon TfL to remove it as soon as possible.”
The toilets were installed by TfL using its permitted development rights, meaning the authority could only object on the grounds of highway safety.
These rights have only been used previously for bus shelters, and the council is exploring whether it does extend to toilets.
Biggin Hill councillor Julian Benington said: “It is a monstrosity.
"The need for a toilet there is certainly questionable.
"I would like to ask the portfolio holder to ensure this toilet is removed as soon as possible – we don’t want it hanging around until Christmas and the new year.”
Petts Wood councillor Simon Fawthrop said TfL was acting “as though it can do whatever it likes” by placing a toilet in a special conservation area in his ward.
TfL has already apologised for the communication breakdown and is investigating how letters failed to reach Biggin Hill residents, and said it was meeting with neighbours to discuss the site’s feasibility.
Nick Fairholme, a director at TfL, said: “We are sorry that we did not inform all residents of our plans to install a toilet for bus drivers in Biggin Hill.
“We try to be mindful of residents when we install these important facilities but understand that there are concerns about this location.
“We have offered to meet the local community to explore the feasibility of a more suitable location, or if that is not possible to see if any changes can be made to the existing facility.”
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
Image by: Matthew Newby SWNS
Seven-year-old girl with incredibly rare birthmark set to feature in international exhibition
Image by: Adam Harnett
A seven-year-old girl born with a large birthmark on her face is featuring in an international exhibition with a message to 'love the skin you are in'.
Rosabella Harrison attracted the attention of world-renowned fashion photographer Brock Elbank after she was chosen to be the face of the charity Caring Matters Now.
The organisation provides support for those affected by Congenital Melanocytic Naevi (CMN) - a rare type of birthmark affecting one per cent of infants worldwide.
A photo shoot for the charity in September perfectly captured Rosabella's enchanting personality, which in turn grabbed the eye of photographer Elbank.
She will now appear in his "How do you C Me Now" exhibition in March, which celebrates the lives affected by the condition and is set to travel the world.
The youngster, from Beccles, Norfolk, was born with CMN which appears in less than one in 20,000 newborns in the UK.
However, Rosabella is particularly unique as her birthmark's placement and composition are both very rare.
Image by: Adam Harnett
Image by: Adam Harnett
Her mother, Chantelle Harrison, 29, said: "It's incredibly rare. People normally have the birthmarks somewhere on their body but not normally on the face.
"We're just little people - things like this don't normally happen to us. But Rosabella loves it - any excuse to be in the lime light. It's lovely."
The condition is not just cosmetic and also poses the risk of future neurological problems and melanoma.d Rosabella returns to hospital once a year for tests.
Elbank partnered with CMN - the only UK charity dedicated to those affected by the condition - to celebrate beauty that is more than skin deep.
The London-based fashion photographer is best known for his captivating series of 150 portraits of individuals with freckles - which captured their beauty and uniqueness.
His latest exhibition uses images of adults and children of all ages affected by CMN, representing 13 countries from five continents.
The exhibition title encourages the audience to consider their current perceptions of individuals affected by a visible difference.
The "How Do you C Me Now" exhibition will open at Oxo Tower Wharf on London’s South Bank on March 14 for two weeks before travelling around the world.
Speaking about Elbank, Chantelle said: "He's absolutely fantastic. He really makes you feel at home. We had breakfast made for us.
"He managed to get what we wanted and what he wanted. He really captured her personality."
Rosabella's mother also praised Lowestoft’s Picture Studios who took the original press shots for the charity and have been a great support for the family.
Image by: Adam Harnett
Image by: Adam Harnett
A Caring Matters Now spokesman said: "The aim of the exhibition series is to give a clear message to the world – love the skin you are in.
"We want this beautiful series of images to reduce the public’s negative perceptions of visible differences."
Rosabella, who lives on a farm with her mum, is also an accomplished horse rider and is part of the dressage and show jumping team at her school - and has her own pony, Rosie.
Chantelle said: "Rosabella has been riding all her life because we live on a farm and she is part of the dressage team at school.
"She has only just turned seven and that is a massive achievement for her.
"She was part of the Beccles Royales Gymnastic Club too and plays piano, guitar and ukulele.
"She just wants to try anything that is going on - she is so fearless and is just good at everything she turns her hand to.
"She is going to do an amazing things."
Pensioner saved after sinking up to his NECK in manure
Video by: Simon Maudlin 
Image by: Simon Maudlin
This is the moment firefighters saved a dog walker who was trying to rescue his pet and got stuck up to his neck - in MANURE.
Brian Marshall, 75, waded into the massive slurry pit to retrieve his Jack Russell Archie but soon found himself sinking.
Luckily his desperate calls for help were answered by fellow dog owner Matt Hollick, who heard faint calls as he left a nearby veterinary clinic.
He raised the alarm and firefighters arrived just as Brian's head began to sink into the stinking pile of waste.
“I’d given up trying to get out on my own," said Brian. "I felt like I was digging my own grave.
“I was gradually giving up and didn’t think I was going to make it.”
The drama began as Brian enjoyed a walk near Upper Caldecote, Beds., on Sunday (17/02) with Archie and his other dog Bella.
He said he had no choice but to go in after his pet.
“Using the Duke of Edinburgh’s words, 'I had been a bloody fool, and there was no one but me to blame'," he said.
"However to see the death by drowning of your loyal and trusted pet dog in front of your very eyes was not an option for me."
Trapped in the sludge, he began shouting for help and the wind carried his voice towards nearby Elizabeth Smith Veterinary Practice.
Luckily Mr Hollick heard his pleas as he loaded his dog into his car after an appointment.
Writing on social media, he said: "It's not everyday you take your dog to the vets as it ate raisins, to emerge having saved a guy's life in a farmers field.
"I was placing the dog in the car and taking after care advice with the vet.
"I could hear a faint cry for help which was being carried on the wind which was blowing in my direction.
"Three more calls of help later and I took off to investigate.
"I was greeted by an enormous muck slurry pit with a man stuck in the middle and sinking below the surface.
"I provided some initial advice to stabilise his position and used his dog leads and dog to reduce his decline."
Image by: Adam Harnett
Brian had been stuck for nearly an hour by the time crews from Sandy and Kempston Community Fire Stations and HART Ambulance reached him.
They used an inflatable hose, inflatable rescue paths and dry suits to pull him out of the pit.
He was then rushed to Bedford Hospital to be treated for hypothermia.
Brian from Ickwell, Beds., is full of praise for the actions of Mr Hollick.
“He masterminded it all," he said. "He called the emergency services and as I was sinking fast he told me to keep my arms up.
"The more I moved the worse it became."
“The fire crews were absolutely awesome. They went into the muck themselves to put a hoist round me.
“I and our two dogs Bella and Archie are so fortunate to all be alive and well.
"The Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service, the Ambulance crew, Bedford Hospital A&E, the police and so many others who were involved.
"Thank you one and all and for those who have phoned and sent messages. It is quite overwhelming.
“Thank you all so very much. Humanity can be very cruel at times but on this occasion nothing but kindness can be described.
"My long suffering wife Christine is busy manuring the garden as she sorts out all my clothes.”
A neighbouring farmer, Simon Maudlin, who had been called by the residents of nearby houses after hearing the cries, said: “Brian Marshall was a very lucky man.
"The wind carried his voice across a large open field towards Elizabeth Smiths Vets and the residential property.
"No wonder the area is called Windy ridge and it carried his voice of distress towards the buildings.”
The veterinary surgery also gave dogs Archie and Bella a clean bill of health.
A spokeswoman for the fire service said: "If you ever find yourself in a position where a pet or other animal is caught in water, mud or in this case a muck heap - please call 999 immediately for advice before getting yourself in to a situation where you are unable to tell emergency services where you are or more seriously putting your life in danger."
Image by: Adam Harnett
Image by: Adam Harnett
Speaking today (wed), Brian Marshall said it was his 16-year-old white Jack Russell Bella who had got stuck in the slurry, while Archie watched on.
The former owner of a horticultural business and his 68-year-old wife Christine have owned Bella since she was a newborn puppy.
Mr Marshall said the lucky dog was recovering well, adding: "She's absolutely fine. She's almost back to wanting her two-hour walk a day."
Asked what his wife said when she heard of the incident, Brian replied: "She said, 'Where's that lovely jumper that I knitted you?'
"She had knitted me this lovely blue jumper and they [the rescuers] had to cut it off me."
Describing the ordeal, he said: "I don't know how Bella go in that far but she just did. I looked round and she was howling her eyes out.
"I couldn't bear to see her drown. It was a silly thing to do. It was mad.
"I went in upright. I was getting further and further into the muck but in the process of pulling her out, it sent me onto my back."
He added: "I will live to fight another day when I thought there would be an early funeral round a manure heap."
