Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett
Dedicated animal expert Marion Garnett, founder of the Ealing Animal Charities Fair, continues her column
THE Appeal Court ruling against the Heathrow third runway plan will be welcomed by many.
For months now it has been clear that expansion would have meant unacceptable social and environmental consequences.
The airport would now do well to concentrate on becoming better rather than bigger.
Ashford
CORONAVIRUS horror is spreading as fast as the virus itself. There is, however, a degree of oversight that exists myopically, I fear here in the UK particularly when it comes to food hygiene.
As everyone knows, sneezing and/ or coughing is the kick start of this evil as the droplets of the affected person go on surfaces which ultimately spread as another person touches the affected surface.
It has occurred to me that nearly all bakery places such as in coffee shops, supermarkets, flea markets, have got food items which are displayed totally uncovered on top of their counters aimed to be picked up by customers.
The point here is that the people who are around these uncovered food items do sneeze and/or cough, and their droplets could possibly be sprayed on these food items.
I am very concerned about this as it seems it is being overlooked. As a matter of urgency, government should roll out communication regarding awareness about food hygiene and of keeping food covered all the time.
Public places such as train stations, airports, tourist attractions, and even hospitals are very vulnerable.
May I take this opportunity to say that it is not only for Coronavirus that food needs to be covered but instead it should be done at all times as people can catch other ailments very easily and it has been happening already without being noticed.
By email
Thank you to Bryan Fraser for this picture of the inspiring monolith in Dickens Yard, Ealing. If you have a photo you’d like to submit to Picture of the Week, please email it to tms-newseditor@reachplc.com and tell us where and when it was taken.
them to get involved in World Autism Awareness Week (30 March - 5 April). One in every 100 children are autistic and almost three quarters go to mainstream schools. Most people have heard of autism now. But far too few know what it’s actually like to be autistic, both the unique strengths and how hard life can be if you have difficulties communicating or feel intense anxiety in social situtions.
We have a range of free resources for schools (autism.org.uk/SAAW), including lesson plans, videos and posters. If any readers work at a local school, please take a look.
We’re looking forward to working with lots of local schools. Better understanding will improve the lives of the 700,000 autistic children and adults in the UK.
Chief Executive of the National Autistic Society
mum was the most active, ‘full of life’ person I knew. She LOVED life. She was my best friend and I miss her every day.
Stroke is cruel. There are no warning signs but when it strikes, it destroys lives. The sad truth is that I’m not alone – everyday stroke still turns lives upside down in an instant.
This killer disease has been ignored for too long in the UK, and the shocking truth is that stroke is a more common than most people think. The Stroke Association estimates there are around 280 strokes in the UK and this wonderful charity helps people to recover. They need our help to ensure that they can continue this vital work.
So, I’m asking anyone who has lost a loved one to stroke to consider setting up a Stroke Association Tribute Fund. It’s a wonderful way to share precious memories of your loved one, so that their story can live on.
Nobody plans for a stroke, but we can help the Stroke Association be here for every single person affected by stroke. The money you raise will help to ensure that people can get the support they need while also funding critical stroke research. Visit tributefunds.stroke.org.uk/ today to find out more.
Actress
THE freezer’s empty, the fridge is bare. I feel like Old Mother Hubbard. I’d been storing food in the fridge for refreshments for yesterday’s Ealing Animal Charities Fair and now the Fair is over, the food has gone.
Just when some people have a stockpile, I have empty shelves. But it was worth it. The Fair helped a wide range of animals either by raising funds to pay for their care or by raising awareness of their plight. Thank you to those who attended and readers who said hello. It was wonderful to meet you.
But although Covid-19 might be causing some people to stockpile goods, I got an insight at the Fair into some of the concerns the virus may cause those responsible for animal rescue centres.
Concerns such as how will they cope if staff become ill and, is there likely to be a shortage of supplies for the animals. Many of the societies at the Fair are in the process of organising Open Days and are having to cope with the uncertainty of not knowing if the event will go ahead.
I know from my experience of organising the Fair that, often as the event date approaches, a crisis of some sort emerges relating to bad weather or transport problems but this year, it’s a new issue, infection risk. And if these Open Days don’t go ahead, the charities will lose much-needed income.
If you have a pet and are worried about their care during this virus outbreak, the RSPCA has produced advice relating to what to do if you’re ill or have to self-isolate (rspca.org.uk). Animals must, of course, never be abandoned.
It’s difficult to believe that this beautiful Shar-Pei, Tye, was abandoned. He came into the care of Dogs Trust after he was dropped off at the groomers in June 2018 and his owners never returned to collect him. Dogs Trust think that, in the past, he was subjected to punishment-based training which has led him to be quite anxious but, once you get to know him, they say he is a joy.
Tye loves playing with toys and, when people enter his kennel, he always picks one up, with excitement. He knows plenty of tricks. Tye’s new owners must be patient and gentle with his handling and continue his reward-based training. He must be the only pet in an adult-only home. For more details see dogstrust.org.uk or you can meet him at Dogs Trust, Harvil Road, Uxbridge.