Health Matters: Beauty of giving to good cause

The final for the competition – the regional heat for Miss England – takes place on Thursday, June 10, at The Loft, in Leeds.

Each of the 25 finalists has been asked to raise funds for the Haven, with the most successful fundraiser being crowned "Miss Charity". Funds will also be raised from the phone/text vote (for "Miss Popularity"), a proportion of the ticket sales for the final and via the link www. justgiving.com/miss-leeds.

Breast Cancer Haven provides the Haven programme free of charge to anyone affected by breast cancer. Since opening in October 2008 Yorkshire Haven has welcomed and cared for more than 640 visitors.

It costs the charity 1,400 to provide the Haven Programme for every visitor who comes to a haven.

For further information about Miss Leeds 2010 and to view the finalists please visit www.missleeds.co.uk/finalists.

If you, or anyone you know, has been affected by breast cancer and would benefit from the services the Haven provides, call the Yorkshire Haven on 0113 284 7829 or www.breastcancerhaven.org.

uk for further information.

First aid for child carers

St John Ambulance in South and West Yorkshire is urging teachers, child minders and nurseries to ensure they are properly trained in first aid.

A recent survey by the charity found that about a quarter of people wouldn't know what to do if a child sustained a burn from oil in a frying pan (29 per cent) or choked on a piece of food (30 per cent).

St John Ambulance is offering a 12-hour course which can be done over two days or four three-hour evening sessions. The dates for the forthcoming Early Years First Aid courses are: June 12 and 13 in Ossett; June 22 and 23 in Leeds; June 26 and 27 in Sheffield. To find out more about St John Ambulance courses in your area, contact 08700 10 49 50.

Marathon man

Nick Lawton, manager of Hotel du Vin in Harrogate, successfully completed his attempt to run four marathons in three weeks.

Nick completed marathons in Belfast, Prague, Luxemburg and Edinburgh and smashed his target of 9,500, raising 11,000 to help his friend Shannon Davis, who was paralysed in a car crash, to have pioneering stem cell treatment in India.

Nick said: "Shannon is also completely overwhelmed by the support she has been given and is extremely grateful for those who have donated financially or given their time."