Evening Chronicle

Warning Over Collection Scam

FAMILIES are being warned to be on their guard against companies that give the false impression they are collecting clothing for charity. The advice comes after South Tyneside Council's trading standards team was learnt about plastic sacks being delivered to homes in packaging that could mislead people into believing they are giving to charity, when they are actually giving to a commercial operation. Coun Joanne Bell, lead member for innovation, safer and stronger com-munitiessaid: "We want t...

Buses Bargain

BUS users in the Tyne Valley are being encouraged to leave the car at home this summer and enjoy an evening out by bus. Bus firm Arriva is offering customers a maximum return fare of only pounds 3 on its 602 and 604 services between Newcastle, Prudhoe and Hexham after 6pm.

A1 Work to Finish Ahead of Schedule ; Weather Helped Repairs

ROADWORKS on some of Tyneside's busiest routes will be completed weeks ahead of time. Motorists had been expecting work to repair the Allerdene Bridge on the A1 near the Team Valley in Gateshead to last until the end of September.

Cameras Roll at Former School ; Children's Tv Show Being Filmed in La Sagesse Building

AN HISTORIC Tyneside school is being used as the set for hit children's TV show Tracy Beaker. La Sagesse, in the leafy Newcastle suburb of Jesmond, Newcastle, has been closed since August last year and was recently bought by ex- Toon chairman Freddy Shepherd.

Attack Man Hunted

THIS man is being hunted over an assault. Police have released a CCTV image of the suspect they want to speak to after a bus passenger was attacked.

Toon Stars Score On Golf Course ; United Stars Get Into the Swing of Things

TOON players had golf down to a tee yesterday. Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper and teammates Alan Smith and Joey Barton took to the green in a charity Pro-Am golf tournament to raise money for the Toma Fund. Held at Newcastle"s Westerhope golf club, the players competed against 39 teams throughout the day.

Closing On Cash Target

THE Toma Fund is well on its way to raising pounds 250,00, with scores of fundraising activities held across the region. Recent events include a charity football tournament with youngsters from boys' clubs across the area joining forces to play in memory of Jordan.

Pounds 5,000 Boost

A PROJECT helping disadvantaged youngsters has landed a pounds 5,000 grant. The cash from Gateshead Housing Company will let Wayout in Gateshead to continue to run its Paddle Your Own Canoe scheme.

Party Leader to Face Quiz

LIBERAL Democrat leader Nick Clegg will be questioned at a public meeting. The event is open to everyone to attend to ask any question they want.

We're Devastated, It Feels Like I've Been Condemned to Die ; Cancer Victim Loses Appeal for Aid Drug

CANCER victim Guy Hedley says he has been condemned to death after health bosses turned down his appeal for a potentially life- enhancing drug. The dad-of-two, who suffers from bowel cancer, believes taking the drug Avastin is helping prolong his life and buying more precious time with his family. But because the treatment is not available on the NHS, Guy has been in a desperate battle to find the pounds 1,800 needed for each session, resorting to dipping into his mortgage.

Flood Plans Up for Discussion

FAMILIES living in flood risk areas are being asked to review council safety plans. A series of public meetings will be held next month to discuss a new blueprint aimed at tackling the future threat of flooding in Northumberland.

The News Quiz

Kids' Corner -

Charity Plea

A CHARITY is desperately seeking volunteers and stock donations for its chain of shops. Arthritis Research Campaign, which has stores in Ashington, Blyth, Newcastle, Sunderland, and Chester-le-Street, made the plea as the credit crunch takes its toll.

Forum to Talk Over Schools

PEOPLE in three villages can find out what is happening in their area at a meeting. The Boldon, Cleadon and Whitburn Community Area Forum, in South Tyneside, is on Thursday.

Siblings Shared Heart Condition ; Brother and Sister Needed Lifesaving Transplants

A BROTHER and sister have both had lifesaving heart transplants after suffering the same heart condition. Claire Crozier, 33, was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy three years ago, and doctors at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital told the former fitness instructor that only a new heart would save her.

Reader's Poem

Vent Your Apleen

I think standards have slipped because there are now too many managers in the NHS and not "enough frontline staff I AGREE with the comments of Mary Wilson, on August 26, I too would be happy to pay 50p for every bus journey. I don't travel on buses all that often, but I do agree with Mary that surely there is no reason why we pensioners cannot fork out 50p a journey.

No Freebies for the Rich

I WOULD like to reply to MS of Roker, who quoted I have a lot of faith in human nature. I am sure the super-tax group would object strongly to losing any of the freebies offered by the government. They would automatically be excluded from any of these freebies, including child allowance, just as they are being taxed as a super- tax group by virtue of their annual earnings. MS"s argument seems to rest on pensioners being means tested and not on super-tax earners getting free child allowance.

Us has Killed Innocents Too

WHEN I listen to American and other right-wing politicians screaming about the injustice of the Scottish Justice minister freeing the Lockerbie bomber because he has a terminal illness, it makes me so angry when I recall the Mai Lai massacre in 1968. I wonder, did the USA give any thought to the families of the 500 residents of that village that were machine gunned down by Lt William Calley and his drugged-up subordinates then dumped five feet deep in a ditch? I doubt it very much, as this in...