Health Matters: Nick’s challenge to help friend

LAST year, Nick Lawson, manager of Hotel du Vin, in Harrogate, ran four marathons in four weeks to raise money for his friend, Shannon Davis, who was paralysed in a car accident four years ago. He raised more than £9,500 for her to undergo stem-cell treatment in India in the hope of walking again. Shannon is now back in India for further treatments.

Nick has set himself two challenges this year. He is competing in the Brighton Marathon, on April 10, in a wheelchair – Shannon has spent almost three years adapting to being in a wheelchair, which has come with numerous challenges.

Through the marathons in which he has participated, Nick has become inspired by those who compete in a wheelchair.

He is also running the Coast to Coast walk, St Bees to Robin Hood Bay, May 26-29, a total of 190 miles.

Further information can be found at www.shannondavisjourney.com

Guidance on life with cancer

LOCAL cancer patients are being encouraged to take part in a free six-week course that can make a real difference in helping them through their cancer journey.

The free six-week course, New Perspectives, begins on Wednesday, March 9, in Leeds. It is run by people who have had a personal experience of cancer themselves.

The sessions will help cancer patients manage their symptoms better, offer advice on diet, dealing with emotions, managing tiredness and pain and provide tips on how to communicate with doctors, health workers and family and friends.

The course was developed at Stanford University in the United States, and each weekly session of two and a half hours will take place at the Robert Ogden Macmillan Information Centre, St James Hospital, Leeds.

Places are available for people with cancer wishing to take part, please contact the Robert Ogden Macmillan Information Centre on 0113 2066501 or email: [email protected]

There’s an app for health needs

PEOPLE in Sheffield are being helped to find the most appropriate NHS service with a simple touch of a button. A new iPhone app which enables people to find the nearest and most appropriate NHS service, wherever they may be within Yorkshire and the Humber region, is now available. The app gives users the names and addresses of their nearest, GP, NHS Walk-in Centre, dentist, A&E department, sexual health service or pharmacy as well as first aid and emergency advice.