Pick Me Up! 28-May-2020

I first joined the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund back when it first started in 1996. With the care of rabbits at the forefront of everything, I soon became a full-time director. Unlike cats and dogs, pet rabbits are hugely underrepresented. There’s little to no legislation to protect them, and even vets go through very little training for them. So, as a bunny lover, I decided I had to do something about it. At the charity, we advise owners and vets on how to care for the fluffy creatures. From providing the correct environment to making sure they have a friend. For their mental health, owners need to understand that rabbits should always come in at least pairs. Whilst my role is to advise and ensure that rabbits are properly…

Good deed of the week For 30 years, When You Wish Upon a Star has been granting magical wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses across the UK. Giving children a reason to smile again, the charity has granted over 18,000 wishes. Taking them to Disneyland, or introducing them to their icons, the charity provides the trip of a lifetime, to those who deserve it most. However, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, they are struggling to secure the funding to grant wishes. Already, they’ve had to delay 100 wishes and all fundraising events to 2021. It’s a difficult time for everyone right now, especially charities. Launching an urgent appeal, When You Wish Upon a Star are asking you to donate whatever you can to help make dreams come true…

If your letter makes Star Letter of the week, you will receive some beautiful blooms from Flying Flowers. With over 30 years’ experience of helping celebrate life’s special moments and FREE delivery by post, a gorgeous bouquet by Flying Flowers is a lovely way to celebrate sharing smiles and happiness. See flyingflowers.co.uk for more details.…

I flung my phone down on the sofa with a huff. ‘I’ve had enough,’ I said to my son Keeton, 24. It was August 2015, and I’d been on Plenty of Fish for a few months after a colleague had raved about it. For the past 24 years, I’d dated on and off, but there was never anything serious. As a single mum to three kids – Leah, now 34, Wade, 32, and Keeton – there was no time. Now, though, with the kids all grown up and only Keeton living at home, I agreed to try the dating app. What harm could it do? I thought to myself. But I’d had no luck – since signing up, I hadn’t spoken to anyone nice, let alone someone I’d want to…

Just then, I heard a familiar voice. ‘Mum?’ I heard him say. It was Wade! As my son dialled 999 and frantically tried to untie me, I passed out. It was only when I woke up a few hours later in Hope Hospital that I learned what had happened from police. After beating me unconscious, David had left me in a bloodied mess at the bottom of the stairs. He then went to the kitchen and grabbed a knife, before using it to hack the electrical cable off the back of the microwave. Tying my hands behind my back with the cable, David then bundled my body into the sleeping bag I’d left out for him. He fled on foot shortly after, unable to find the keys to our car…

If you fancy something boozi-ful and sweet, Aldi’s Triple ‘B’ Banana Bake is straight forward and easy to make with the key ingredients of bananas, blueberries and booze! Visit www.aldi.co.uk for more inspiration! □ 150g blueberries□ 2 ripe bananas□ 140g self-raising flour□ 140g caster sugar□ 140g Aldi’s Perfect for Cake spread□ 2 medium eggs□ 1tsp baking powder□ 50ml of the Aldi’s award winning Old Hopking Spiced (£10.49) 1 Preheat oven to 180°C and line the side of cake tin with non-stick baking parchment. Peel bananas and chop them up. 2 Whisk bananas, rum, eggs, spread, caster sugar, flour and baking powder until smooth or blend in a food processor. 3 Put a third of the batter into the bread tin and sprinkle over a third of the blueberries. Repeat this until…