A round up of hats which protect and look great (Picture: Getty/Urban Outfitters/ASOS/& Other Stories)
With temperatures on the rise this week, our skin should be a top priority.
Of course, SPF is given, but a hat should be a summer staple, too.
Not only does a hat serve practical purposes – in protecting skin and generally keeping us cool – but it’s also a great accessory for a summer outfit.
There are so many types to choose from, too.
Once reserved for festivals and raves, the bucket hat has been creeping into mainstream fashion over recent years. The style provides a decent amount of protection as well, covering the head, neck and some of the shoulders.
Straw sun hats, on the other hand, are arguably a more grown-up, sophisticated option. Due to their large surface area, they’re also great for those who require a little more shade.
And let’s not forget about the timeless cap.
We’ve rounded up some of the best on sale at the moment.
Upgrade your regular cap with this jazzy tie-dye number. The pastel shades are perfect for summer, but if the sickly sweet colour palette isn’t your style the hat also comes in checkerboard and floral prints.
You can staycation, if a little differently (Pictures: Getty)
Boris Johnson announced yesterday that a number of different businesses would be able to reopen as of 4 July, from hairdressers to pubs.
As well as this, Brits will be able to take holidays at hotels and holiday parks across England, with Scotland and Wales eventually following in the later weeks of the month.
Although many of us knew we wouldn’t be able to have a standard overseas holiday this year, even staycations will look completely different.
If you’d planned on visiting four of the most popular UK family holiday destinations – Haven, Butlins, Center Parcs, and Pontins – there are guidelines that will need to be upheld.
Check out the opening times from each of these companies, as well as the changes that’ll be in place once they do reopen their doors.
Haven reopening guidelines
It might be a while before the flumes are open, sadly (Picture: Photofusion/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Haven is open to guests as of Monday 6 July in England, with plans to Welsh Parks from Monday 13 July and Scottish Parks from Friday 17 July.
They’ll be offering ‘Haven Hideaways’, which have discounted rates but don’t include use of the entertainment and activities you’d usually expect.
Before you arrive you’ll be given a strict time and place to pick up your caravan keys and welcome pack in a drive-thru fashion.
Extra signs have been placed around parks to ensure distancing, along with hand sanitiser stations for visitors.
Beaches and other areas will still be open, but staff (with PPE) will be cleaning touchpoints and high traffic areas regularly where possible.
Takeaway food will be encouraged, and the on-site mini markets will have screens and customer limits.
Butlin’s reopening guidelines
You’ll still be able to go on funfair rides (Picture: Martin Godwin/Getty Images)
Butlin’s parks will be reopening on 16 July.
Guest numbers will be significantly reduced, there will be drive-thru check-ins, and cleaning procedures will be ramped up considerably.
Entertainment will still be happening, just without ‘standing on the sidelines’ and with fewer guests in attendance.
There is no word yet on whether pools will be open, but fairgrounds, arcades, and activities like crazy golf will be available – just make sure you socially distance.
Restaurants are all still open (again with social distancing measures) but at the buffets staff will plate up your order behind a screen rather than you doing so yourself.
Center Parcs reopening guidelines
Center Parcs bosses are being cautious about reopening (Picture: Ashley Cooper/Construction Photography/Avalon/Getty Images)
Center Parcs has not yet given an official date for reopening, saying on their website: ‘The very earliest we can reopen is the Monday 6th July, but we have no commitment to a specific date just yet.
‘The guidance may well change in the coming weeks, and even if it doesn’t we will not rush to open unless we are sure 100% we are ready.’
When the parks do open, there will be an increase in sanitation and staff will be given PPE. One way systems or other ways to reduce interaction between households could also come into play.
Restaurants in Center Parcs locations will have ‘reduced menus and a greater focus on takeaways’, while ParcMarket shops will be subject to many of the measures supermarkets have been – such as no cash payments and limits on people allowed in at once.
One of the main features of Center Parcs is the activity schedule, and bosses have pre-warned guests that some of these activities will have to be cancelled entirely. Others will be altered to adhere to social distancing.
Pontins reopening guidelines
Pontins will be self-catering for the time being (Picture: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Pontins are reopening their parks from 17 July on a self-catered basis only.
On their social media, bosses said: ‘Following government guidelines there will be no entertainment and the activities on park will be limited as social distancing guidelines must be adhered to.’
The parks are located near to beaches and natural beauty spots, however, so if you want to have a break filled with walks and chilled days outdoors, that’s what you’ll get.
My daughter Tirion died from mitochondrial disease two years ago (Picture: Helen Ray)
It wasn’t until I was looking through my 18-year-old daughter Tirion’s texts, that I realised she’d been hiding the severity of her illness from me.
‘I need you to do my makeup, because I can’t see properly,’ she had messaged a friend. Two weeks later, she was admitted to hospital and diagnosed with mitochondrial disease – a genetic disorder that most people know nothing about.
In the summer of 2013, Tirion had started complaining of bad headaches and feeling sick. At the time, she was working full time in an insurance call centre, never took a day off, and was still hanging out with her friends and socialising, so I assumed it was a bug or that maybe she simply wasn’t drinking enough water.
When we did take her to the doctor, they concluded that it might be migraines.
But on 23 September, that same year, Tirion had a seizure – the first of many to come, and the start of any parent’s worst nightmare. Two months later, she was diagnosed with the illness that would eventually kill her.
I can’t describe what it’s like to have a doctor tell you that they don’t know how long your child has left to live. I was devastated – I still am – and I also blamed myself for not noticing that she was sick.
Even now, I wonder if things would have gone differently if we’d spotted it sooner, but the reality is that mitochondrial disease is such an unusual condition that even if we had, there is no cure.
As the weeks went on, Tirion grew weaker. She struggled to do anything on her own, and lost mobility of her left side, which is a massive thing for an 18-year-old to deal with. She also couldn’t walk at all until April 2014, and then walked with a crutch until the following year. She needed a wheelchair all through the time she was ill, due to tiredness, had trouble concentrating and had an inflammation in her brain that was making the seizures worse.
This is a particularly dangerous symptom of mitochondrial disease; there have been cases with teenagers where doctors can’t get this under control, and the children pass away within six months.
Tirion was the most funny, stroppy, loveable and brave young woman you could ever imagine (Picture: Helen Ray)
Throughout my daughter’s illness, I struggled to deal with her diagnosis, but as her mum I had to put all of that to one side and make sure my main priority was that Tirion stayed as positive as she could.
Sometimes, I didn’t know what to say when she was upset or down. I knew she wasn’t going to get better, and Tirion knew it too, so I went on autopilot.
My daughter died on 9 April, 2018. This was four years after Tirion was first diagnosed. She was just 22.
In the weeks leading up to her death, a palliative care team had got involved to discuss what we wanted to do and she told them that she didn’t want to live like this anymore. Tirion was pretty much bed-bound at this stage, and needed help with being washed and going to the toilet. She’d had enough.
I was very proud that she was able to say that and it was almost a relief to hear it, because I had an inkling already.
Tirion was buried in the dress she wore to the Lily Foundation ball (Picture: Helen Ray)
Tirion was the most funny, stroppy, loveable and brave young woman you could ever imagine. She had such a way about her; she could wrap anyone around her finger, it didn’t matter how blunt or sassy she was. I’m sure she wanted to be a celebrity and, in a way, she became one.
During her illness, we got involved with the Lily Foundation – the UK charity dedicated to fighting mitochondrial disease. We decided to attend the charity’s ball in 2017, the year before Tirion died, and that event is one of my fondest memories.
I remember when Tirion called me from a dress shop, after spending days looking at cheap outfits on Amazon with no luck. She sent me a photo of herself in this gorgeous blue dress – and told me it cost £400.
As a mother does, I asked if she’d gone mad. But she wore it to the ball nonetheless, and that picture has become iconic within the Lily Foundation, and to me. Tirion was buried in it.
Grief is strange. It’s a very difficult emotion to explain to people.
Even two years on, I think about her every day, and sometimes, when the sadness and the thought that I’m never going to see my daughter again hits, it’s almost like it’s not real.
Silly things upset you; I was at work once and met someone who asked how many children I have, and to avoid having the conversation, I said one – referring to my son and Tirion’s younger brother, Dylan.
Tirion’s brother has also been tested for the mitochondrial gene – thankfully, he doesn’t have it (Picture: Helen Ray)
I went into the toilets and cried instantly afterwards. It felt like I had betrayed Tirion. But people treat you differently when you tell them, you can see the look in their eyes.
Our family will always have a missing piece, but that’s something we have to live with. It has definitely brought me and my husband closer together; we were going through a bad patch a year or so before Tirion got ill and he was brilliant at looking after her and helping me stay positive.
Terrifyingly, Dylan started complaining of headaches soon after Tirion’s diagnosis, but he has been tested and doesn’t have the mitochondrial gene. I feel so lucky that he doesn’t have it.
We need to raise awareness of mitochondrial disease and encourage people to help raise money towards research.
It’s too late for Tirion. But hopefully, by sharing her story, as painful as it is to tell, we can save another child’s life.
*As told to Almara Abgarian.
For more information about mitochondrial disease, visit the Lily Foundation website or call 0300 400 1234 if someone you know has this condition and you need help or support. You can also email the charity at liz@thelilyfoundation.org.uk.
What is mitochondrial disease?
Mitochondrial diseases result from failures of the mitochondria, specialized compartments present in every cell of the body (except red blood cells).
Mitochondria are responsible for creating more than 90% of the energy needed by the body to sustain life and support organ function. When they fail, less and less energy is generated within the cell. Cell injury and even cell death follow. If this process is repeated throughout the body, whole organ systems begin to fail.
The parts of the body, such as the heart, brain, muscles and lungs, requiring the greatest amounts of energy are the most affected.
Symptoms vary depending on the organ(s) affected but may include seizures, atypical cerebral palsy, autistic features, developmental problems, fainting and temperature instability.
According to The Lily Foundation, the prognosis depends upon the severity of the disease and other criteria. As more research funds are raised to find more effective treatments and ultimately a cure, some of the affected children and adults are living fairly normal lives with mitochondrial disease.
In other cases, children may not be able to see, hear, talk or walk. Affected children may not survive beyond their teenage years. Adult onset can result in drastic changes from an active lifestyle to a debilitating ilness is a short amount of time.
Treatment plans vary from patient to patient but involve therapies, diet changes and other means to try and slow the progress of the disease.
Ernest was happy to be photographed by Caroline (Picture: Caroline Crockett Brock)
The current political climate is forcing people to have frank conversations about racism.
One white woman who asked her Black repairman about his experience with racial discrimination was taken aback by his answer.
Caroline Crockett Brock from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, asked her appliance repairman, Ernest Skelton what he thought about racism in the U.S.
Ernest, 45, explained how he’s stopped by police often, the fact that he can’t work when it’s late in case people accuse him of loitering or breaking into people’s homes, and the names he’s called while on the job.
Taking to Facebook, Caroline said it was the first time she’d such an honest conversation about race and encouraged others to do the same.
Since the post went viral, thousands of people said the exchange had been illuminating for them.
The post received so much attention, the Myrtle Beach city manager got in touch with Caroline and Ernest to make sure the experiences in his home town improve.
Ernest who isn’t on Facebook even made a profile to see all the love for him pour in.
Caroline’s viral Facebook post (Picture: Caroline Crockett Brock)
In the post, Caroline wrote: ‘Ernest, a middle-aged, friendly, successful business owner, gets pulled over in Myrtle Beach at least six times a year.
‘He doesn’t get pulled over for traffic violations, but on the suspicion of him being a suspect in one crime or another. Mind you, he is in uniform, driving in a work van clearly marked with his business on the side.
‘They ask if he’s selling drugs. These cops get angry if he asks for a badge number or pushes back in any way. Every time he is the one who has to explain himself, although they have no real cause to question him.’
She continued: ‘Ernest used to help folks out after dark with emergencies. Not anymore. He does not work past dinnertime, not because he doesn’t need the business, but because it isn’t safe for him to be out after dark.
‘Let me say that again. Ernest, a middle-aged black man in uniform cannot work past dark in Myrtle Beach in 2020 because it’s not safe for him. He did not say this with any kind of agenda. It was a quiet, matter of fact truth.
‘A truth that needs to be heard.’
Ernest also revealed to Caroline how the most infuriating part of his experiences is when he’s referred to as a ‘boy’.
He told her it happens often, despite being a 45-year-old man with a degree in electronics.
Facebookers were moved by the exchange (Picture: Caroline Crockett Brock)
Moved by his account, Caroline asked Ernest what she could do to help.
She wrote: ‘I am a 45-year-old white woman living in the south. I can begin healing our country by talking frankly with African Americans in my world – by LISTENING to their lived experience and speaking up.
‘I can help by actively promoting black-owned businesses. That’s what I can do today. Let’s start by listening and lifting up. It’s that simple.’
A dad who’s been trying to sell the family home and car to move to Australia has decided to raffle it off.
Dale Tate, from West Yorkshire, has been struggling to make the sale amid the pandemic and decided to take matters into his own hands.
For just £1, Dale is offering a three-storey home, legal fees and stamp duty, along with his 2017 Volvo XC90 Hybrid with a full valet and a years car insurance.
Photos of the house show a front porch, a large garden, and a double driveway for off-street parking to the side, leading to a detached single garage.
The lucky winner will win to the modern-day home, complete with a guest bathroom, four spacious bedrooms, one of which is ensuite.
Dale reiterated that it is a genuine sale as he and his family are keen to sell everything and permanently move to Australia.
The dad just needs to sell 400,00 tickets which he’s offering on Raffl.com.
He listed the details of the house on the raffle website which compensates users should the host not see through their offer.
If the host fails to provide a prize, the winners will receive a share of the compensation amounting to 75% of all ticket sales.
Happy days.
You’ll get a spacious lounge (Picture: Raffall.com)
Writing on the website, Dale said it was the ‘chance of a lifetime’, adding: ‘People haven’t got anything to lose really, it’s only £1.
‘Your odds of winning the lottery are about 45 million to one, but this is 400,000 to one if you spend £1.
‘If all the tickets sell, then somebody has to win it. It will make somebody’s day that’s for sure.’
If anyone wants more information on what’s up for grabs, you’ll be getting vinyl flooring on the ground floor, a guest WC, and a lounge at the front.
One of the bedrooms is ensuite (Picture: Raffall.com)
And you’ll get a large garden (Picture: Raffall.com)
The kitchen features a range of modern white wall and base units with worktop over, integrated oven, hob, and extractor fan as well as integrated fridge/freezer, dishwasher and washing machine. French doors lead to a large rear garden.
The kitchen has fancy lights (Picture: Raffall.com)
A spacious bedroom (Picture: Raffall.com)
The property also features Phillips Smart Lighting throughout, which is controlled by an app, along with a Nest Heating System and smoke alarms.
Lockdown has been a little lonely with most of us unable to see friends and family.
Luckily for radio presenter Sam Darlatston, 27, he’s had seven extra friends with him for part of the pandemic.
Sam, from London, found some caterpillars in some of his broccoli – bought from Tesco – and decided to care for them until they turned into butterflies.
It started with Sam cooking his favourite vegetable and finding one caterpillar hidden inside, which he decided to keep as a pet before asking his friend to buy him some fresh broccoli.
In case anyone is interested, the name weâve gone with is Cedric, heâs from Spain (at least we assume so because the broccoli is) and he dances after eating spinach and broc all day long ððð pic.twitter.com/tO1EyMgeG1
However, when his friend returned, they discovered a further five insects hidden in the latest vegetable.
A third attempt at buying broccoli revealed a seventh – and final – bug, which was transferred into a box in the living room, alongside the others.
SO IT TURNS OUT THAT THIS BROC CONTAINS ANOTHER 5 CATERPILLARS????!!!! 5!!!!! Also it turns out that THIS… is now a caterpillar thread pic.twitter.com/7M0UIcUxrU
Several of the caterpillars, named Broc, Ollie, Cedric, Carlos, Croc, Janine, and Slim Eric, have now evolved into butterflies, with four still cocooned.
Sam said: ‘I didn’t think they would survive if I put them outside straight away.
WELL! What do you know! My housemate just went to cook his broccoli and BAMMMMMMM, heâs got green mates too. Open to name suggestions for our 7th caterpillar child ðððð pic.twitter.com/Gs02yjtPLr
‘I read that caterpillars only eat their host plant and I didn’t have any broccoli in the garden. So I thought, the best bet is to keep them with some broccoli and they can leave when they’re older.’
Sam researched the Spanish white cabbage butterflies and created a small ecosystem in his living room. As the broccoli came from Spain, he also ensured it would be safe to release the insects into the eco-system in the UK.
Day 3, and weâve got our first caterpillar romance story. Janine and Slim Eric nap together, eat together, and occasionally dance together ð pic.twitter.com/t883KOVgi0
However, the paper-lid resulted in several of the bugs escaping into the house, with one cocooning around a scented vanilla stick and another underneath a candle holder.
WEâVE GOT AN ESCAPOLOGIST – this rebel has grabbed some vanilla sticks!! tesco you can pay for me to get a new set of vanilla sticks now, theyâre fackin frazzled pic.twitter.com/tMI5YHaylR
Sam added: ‘The first one, within three days he was a cocoon, but the last one took around eight days. But I almost fast-tracked them because I gave them unlimited food.
‘Three of them got out and were in the lounge. You’re not meant to move them once they’re cocooned, so one is just in the lounge.
Final update of the day… weâve now got 3 cocoon / chrysalis, they grow up so fast ðð pic.twitter.com/AZIJMvOYnI
‘My housemates have just embraced it and now come and check how they are.
‘They were alright with it, they were just like, “that’s how lockdown is going then, we now keep caterpillars”.’
Honestly Tesco, look how much Janine the caterpillar EATS!? I think you need to provide more 55p broccoli gift cards for her pic.twitter.com/sruvjcMtkO
The caterpillars did have an impact on his mum though as Sam joked that she was avoiding eating broccoli during a roast dinner because of his new friends.
Tesco agreed to refund him £1.10 for two of the heads of broccoli and said they would log the incident, but Sam wasn’t too worried.
I then got him to pose for a picture with his brother Olly so we could see the diff between caterpillar and cocoon. ðð pic.twitter.com/xEcQ9kRdhJ
3/7 of the Tesco broccoli caterpillars are now wild butterflies ð, this morning Janine joined Cedric and Slim Eric for her new life âï¸ð¥¦ð¦ (thought sheâd at least say bye but she just bolted) pic.twitter.com/ZxggmWc6VP
He said: ‘It’s natural, isn’t it? It means they’re not using too many pesticides which is a good thing.’
Tesco said: ‘It seems like a hungry caterpillar made its way into Sam’s broccoli. We’re really sorry about this and apologise to Sam for providing an accidental pet with his greens.
‘We regularly test our fresh produce for quality but as we encourage our growers to move to more natural production methods and greatly reduce the application of pesticides, this can occasionally lead to the very odd insect being found.’
With the weather heating up and many of us still working from home, it’s a lovely time to head out to our gardens or balconies (or any outdoor space really) to get work done al fresco.
Apart from general sweatiness and the fact we’re not sipping a pina colada on the beach, the main problem with this is laptop glare.
Our computers – however high-tech – aren’t really equipped to deal with bright sunlight, and can become almost impossible to see properly outdoors.
But, instead of having to buy fancy screen protectors or gadgets, you can fix the problem with a simple cardboard box.
LinkedIn user Tom Wood posted a picture yesterday working from his garden, with a standard box encasing his computer.
Tom’s post was a huge hit (Picture: LinkedIn/Tom Wood)
In the post he wrote: ‘When you are working from home and want to enjoy the sunshine, yet can’t see your laptop screen because of the sun!
‘Get yourself the latest Technological break through….. The Cardboard Box.
‘I can top up my tan and work outside, without any issues.’
To whoever it was who posted this laptop box cover invention, the Delahoy family would like to say thank you. pic.twitter.com/LeLZd2tKb0
His hack was clearly a hit, as the worker bees of LinkedIn like it over 50,000 times, and the comments came rolling in.
One said: ‘I’m embarrassed that I did not already come up with this myself. Amazing.’
Plenty more tried it, too, and shared pictures of their own work-from-garden setups (making us very jealous, may I add).
Lizzie tried the box hack (Picture: Lizzie Thomson)
Our very own Lizzie Thomson gave it a go, saying it was a simple and easy trick, and she’d use it again.
The only thing you do need to be careful of is overheating. Although this can happen at any time – especially when the mercury climbs like this – if your laptop’s sitting in hot sun it’s going to be more susceptible.
If you can, keep it in the shade and use a box with ventilation holes.
Now you’ve got a sun screen for your laptop, you’ve just got to remember the sunscreen for yourself.
The patio before and after (Picture: Karen McCarthy)
With the weather hotting up, we’re all spending more time outside.
But one mum wanted to make the space she had a little more appealing.
Karen McCarthy, 48, had some space outside her kitchen but it looked a little tired and dull.
With a limited budget, she had to be inventive but using some paint and creativity, she managed to create a Mediterranean-style oasis for just £60.
The mum-of-two from Caerphilly, South Wales, told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk: ‘I wanted to spruce up the area outside my kitchen and decided to use some light grey masonry paint to cover the tired old slabs.
‘Having seen outdoor rugs online I came up with the idea of using paint to create a ‘faux rug’ effect for underneath my bistro set.
The patio was dull and tired before (Picture: Karen McCarthy)
‘I used dark grey and white Frenchic al fresco paint along with a stencil to create the design.
‘It took around two days to complete and the materials available online cost around £60.
‘I spent £27 on Sandtex paint, £18 for the Frenchic paint and cut the stencil out of mylar plastic.
She made her own stencil and created a ‘rug’ under her furniture (Picture: Karen McCarthy)
‘I bought several sheets for £7 but you can buy ready-made stencils online.
‘I also bought LED solar lights for the ivy on the wall for £5, and the mirror cost £6.99, both from Home Bargains.
The patio before (Picture: Karen McCarthy)
‘It’s a simple but effective lockdown painting project.
‘I have added small white LED solar lights to the foliage on the wall making it cosy at night.’
Karen loves the new look and she has some tips for those want to give it a go.
The finished patio (Picture: Karen McCarthy)
She said: ‘My advice would be to make sure the area is cleaned beforehand. I had it jet-washed a couple of weeks beforehand.
‘When painting in an area that you need access to, paint every other slab so you can still walk on it whilst the painted area is drying.
‘Check the weather forecast to make sure it is dry for the next 24 to 48 hours too!
Karen says the project has helped her during lockdown (Picture: Karen McCarthy)
‘My main challenges were the weather – it was hot so working in the heat was hard – and trying to keep my mini dachshund off it whilst it was drying!’
She also found that the project had benefits for her mental health during the stress of the lockdown.
‘It’s lightened up the whole area and not being able to go on holiday because of the current situation, I’ve brought a touch of the Mediterranean to my home instead,’ she added.
‘Painting has been therapeutic for my wellbeing, and rather than climbing the steps up to my garden, I have the perfect little spot for a morning cuppa or a glass of something in the evening!’
For those who don’t want to spend any money, there’s always ice cubes.
But are ice cubes actually safe for canines? After all, they could cause choking, broken teeth or a damaged tongue (from it sticking to the frozen cube).
Thankfully, Blue Cross animal hospital in London has provided some helpful advice.
Caroline Reay, clinical lead at Blue Cross, stresses that the cube should be an appropriate size for the dog. For example, you don’t want to give a tiny dog a massive ice cube.
For pets who tend to wolf down food, smaller cubes or even ice shavings would be the best option.
In terms of whether ice cubes can cause bloating, Caroline told Tyla: ‘There’s no real foundation to the idea that ice cubes cause bloating in dogs – the two aren’t known to be connected.’
Blue Cross also suggests owners can make frozen cubes or lollies with a pet’s favourite food inside – this will keep them entertained in the heat, too.
Alternatively, the organisation adds: ‘You could fill a bowl with some low-salt stock scattered with a few treats and freeze it – or even throw in a toy or two, adding enrichment for your pet while cooling them down.
‘Frozen carrots or apple slices are also a tasty – but healthy – snack to refresh your pet on a hot day.’
Other tricks for cooling a dog down in the sun include covering them in a cool (but not freezing cold) towel and having a bottle of cold water – which can be used to mist a dog every once in a while.
Zion Clark was born with caudal regression syndrome, a rare disorder that impairs the development of the lower spine.
In Zion’s case, it meant his legs did not develop.
The 22-year-old from Ohio says that one in every 100,000 children are born with the congenital condition each year.
Unfortunately, Zion ended up in foster care for the first 16 years of his life.
Fostered by his now-mother Kimberlli, Zion now has a fantastic support system.
The love and care he gets at home has led to Zion finding his strength and passion in the form of wrestling.
The talented and keen sportsman is bidding to become one of the best freestyle wrestlers in the world.
Zion has a rare disorder which means he was born without legs (Picture: Istvan Lettang / Barcroft Studios / Future Publishing)
Zion said: ‘I started wrestling in second grade.
‘When I was really little, the first few matches, I didn’t know what to do and neither did my opponent.
‘Some kids were scared to wrestle me – I was scared to wrestle them. I didn’t know what I was doing.
‘I adapted my wrestling by a lot of trial and error. I spent years figuring out what would work.
‘I now train twice a day, about six days a week. It’s a grind, it’s a lifestyle. Being born without legs hasn’t stopped me from doing the things I want to do.’
Zion has been wrestling since he was in school (Picture: Istvan Lettang / Barcroft Studios / Future Publishing)
Zion’s earlier years in school were tough as he endured bullying for his condition and would often respond with anger.
‘People would make fun of me because I didn’t have legs,’ he said.
‘The best way to deal with haters is to use the hate to lift yourself up.
‘The haters are your biggest fans – use that to your advantage.
Zion spent a long time in care until he was adopted by his mum Kimberli (Picture: Istvan Lettang / Barcroft Studios / Future Publishing)
‘School wasn’t the greatest time for me, but by the time I was a senior I was able to turn it around and get into college and do everything I wanted to do.’
Zion feels that a big reason why he was able to turn his life around was down to his positive outlook and the relationship he has with his mother, Kimberlli.
Zion added: ‘The relationship with my mum is fantastic. She’s the greatest woman I know.’
For Zion, his future now holds endless possibilities and he will never stop aiming high.
He said: ‘My dreams and ambitions? One day, to make the Olympic team and be one of the best freestyle wrestlers in the world.
‘The biggest lesson I’ve had to learn is that things won’t always go your way. You have to work with what you’ve got.
‘Once you’re able to work with what you have, multiple doors just start to open.’
47-year-old Phil Kayes has just been crowned Slimming World’s Greatest Loser 2020, after losing a whopping 21 stone.
And that’s not the only massive achievement he’s made recently, having also found love and even beaten coronavirus.
Phil’s transformation began when he was warned by doctors that his size was putting such a strain on his health he would be lucky to reach the age of 40.
He weighed 37st 2.5lbs at his biggest – but has now managed to cut to an impressive 15st 6lbs in just three years.
Phil said he was spurred into action after his mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer – deciding he wanted to be as healthy as he could.
He then embarked on his weight loss journey, during which met partner Nicole Mulholland.
Phil said he had previously resigned himself to ‘dying alone’ – but credits his slim size with helping him find love.
The civil servant, from County Down, Northern Ireland, also believes his weight loss may have saved his life after he caught COVID-19.
He added that his survival was a ‘timely reminder’ how important his health is.
Before the weight loss, Phil was an 8XL in t-shirts (Picture: Phil Kayes / SWNS.COM)
Phil said: ‘My size meant that my life became increasingly insular and I made up a variety of excuses not to go out.
‘I’d avoid gatherings like parties and weddings because I just felt so uncomfortable. I knew I wouldn’t fit into a plane seat so I never travelled, even though I really wanted to.
‘Apart from my job as a civil servant, I didn’t really do anything except hide away and eat. It was a very lonely time.’
At his heaviest, Phil suffered a string of other health issues including pressure on his knees and sleep apnoea.
Phil would sadly avoid social gatherings, fearing he wouldn’t fit in seats or would become out of breath (Picture: Phil Kayes / SWNS.COM)
He struggled to buy clothes due to his size, which was XXXXXXXXL in shirts and 68in waist in trousers.
But his main worry was that, should he die in his sleep, his body couldn’t be removed as he lived on the third floor of his parents’ house.
Phil then realised he had to do something about his weight when his mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
It was then that he joined Slimming World, and despite being nervous about weigh-ins and the food plan, he has had great success.
Phil's food
BEFORE
Breakfast – sausage roll or a sausage bap with cheese and ketchup. Full fat latte or cappuccino with added sugar. Lunch – tinned soup with 3-4 rounds of white bread, large bag of crisps and a chocolate bar or chips with cheese and lots of sauce. Dinner – large supermarket pizza, crisps and chocolate or a takeaway. Evening – multipack crisps, jumbo bar of chocolate, family bag of sweets, doughnuts, biscuits.
AFTER
Breakfast – bran flakes or reduced-sugar muesli with fat-free yoghurt and frozen berries. Americano coffee with skimmed milk. Mid-morning – fruit. Lunch – leftovers from a home-cooked meal the night before or a pasta dish and some fruit. Dinner – chicken or salmon with Slimming World chips or potatoes with lots of fresh veg from the allotment. Evening – a Slimming World Hi-Fi bar.
He said: ‘Mum was facing her fourth cancer battle which sadly turned out to be her last.
‘The news sort of spurred me into action and I knew this time I had to try and be as healthy as I could – not just for her but for me as well.
‘I was also worried that if my mum did pass away, I wouldn’t be able to be one of her pallbearers, which was heartbreaking.
‘She died in October 2017, by which point I’d lost 5st. I know she’d be really proud if she could see me now – more than 21st lighter.’
Phil looks like a completely different man now (Picute: SWNS.COM)
As with any story of weight loss, the biggest positive isn’t simply the fact that someone has lost weight, but the confidence and independence they can get as a result.
For Phil, one big plus was taking control of his health and becoming active. He says he is delighted to now be able to go on bike rides and walk without pain.
He said: ‘Years of being overweight really took its toll on my knees and I used to take medication daily to manage the pain.
He loves his new active lifestyle (Picture: Phil Kayes / SWNS.COM)
‘I will still need a knee replacement at some stage, but I have certainly delayed the inevitable and made the operation itself more likely to be successful.
‘When I was 37st, my doctor told me it was too risky for me to have surgery because calculating the anaesthetic needed for someone my size was so tricky.
‘Now I’ve started cycling again, I can walk without getting out of breath and I also enjoy yoga.
And the fact he can now buy clothes easily (Picture: SWNS.COM)
‘It’s a completely different life to the one I had before – one that is full of opportunities, friends and adventures.’
Phil also thinks his thinner size could have helped him beat what he thought was coronavirus.
He said that, while it was unpleasant and he was knocked off his feet, he’s not sure he would have survived if he hadn’t lost weight.
Phil and Nicole are enjoying adventures together (Picture: SWNS.COM)
But, most importantly for Phil, was meeting Nicole, who he found through an online dating app.
‘When I was bigger I couldn’t imagine ever finding love and felt resigned to dying alone,’ he said.
‘Since meeting we’ve moved in together, swam in the Mediterranean Sea, been on a walking tour of Berlin and I’ve learned to drive.’
Through Slimming World Phil has changed his life, and says he ‘couldn’t be without’ the groups (which he now attends online) and the food plans.
‘It felt like a bit of a lightbulb moment when I realised losing weight didn’t have to mean starving yourself,’ he said.
Tinder’s new photo verification feature rolls out across the UK today (Picture: Tinder)
From today, you might notice a new feature on your Tinder account.
Photo verification to stop catfishers is being rolled out across the UK, six months after it was launched in the US.
The idea is that you complete a challenge taking selfies in a series of different poses and then a combination of humans and AI decide if it is definitely you in your pictures.
Luckily, the selfies aren’t actually uploaded so don’t worry about pulling silly faces.
It gives you some poses to copy (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
Tinder thinks that by verifying that people are actually using pictures of themselves, they’ll be able to reduce the number of people stealing pictures online and pretending to be someone they’re not.
If you pass the test, you’ll get a checkmark to verify that you aren’t a catfish.
Another pose example (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
It also means that you can check other profiles for the mark before you decide whether to swipe right or left.
To get verified, you need to open the app and tap the profile icon and tap the grey checkmark by your name/age.
The message that pops up on screen (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
From there, select ‘verify your profile’ and you’ll be shown a pose that you need to copy in your selfie.
Once you’ve confirmed that your selfie matches that pose, you’ll submit it for review and then be shown another once to copy.
According to Tinder, it looks for two things – pose verification and face verification.
A post on their website says: ‘Pose verification extracts pose geometries from your selfie photo using computer vision technology, and determines whether the pose geometry matches with the one we requested.
‘Face verification detects your face in your selfie and your profile photos, and extracts facial geometries using facial recognition technology to generate a unique number or “template.” When your selfie template matches the template from your profile pictures, we know you’re the same person as your profile photos.’
They might be comfy, but they aren’t quite legal (Picture: Getty)
The heatwave is on as hot weather sweeps the country – with temperatures tipped to pass the 30 degree celsius mark once again today.
With that in mind, you might want to air out your toes with a lovely pair of sandals; perhaps even flip flops – or even go barefoot.
However, the rumour persists that that driving in flip-flops or barefoot is not actually legal to wear while you’re behind the wheel.
And as silly as it sounds, there’s a whole load of misconceptions when it comes to legalities of what shoes you can wear driving.
If you’re unsure, here’s everything you need to know.
We definitely wouldn’t advise driving like this in them (Picture: Getty)
Can you wear flip flops while driving or go barefoot?
While technically it’s not illegal to drive in flip-flops, socks or while barefoot, it’s definitely not advised – as it could land you a hefty fine and a whole lot of penalty points.
Under Rule 97 of the Highway Code, drivers are told that they’re required to wear ‘footwear and clothing which does not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner.’ – and such footwear, or lack, of, could be seen as a contravention of this.
So, if you’re wearing a bendy kind of flip-flop that might come loose and hook under a pedal or slide off and make it hard to brake correctly, it could cost you dearly.
The Driving Standards Agency has pointed out that if you happen to have wet feet, you could be putting yourself and others at risk by driving barefoot, or in socks or flip-flops.
‘Suitable shoes are particularly important behind the wheel.,’ they say. ‘We would not recommend driving barefoot because you don’t have the same braking force with bare feet as you do with shoes on.’
If you do happen to be stopped for driving erratically or dangerously, you could be charged with driving without due care and attention. The maximum penalty for this is a £5,000 fine, up to nine points on your license, or even a driving ban.
Even less severe cases can warrant a £100 on-the-spot fine and three points. Basically, the time it’d take to put some socks and shoes on is a whole lot let hassle than all of that.
What sort of footwear should you drive in?
The RAC has offered the following guidelines on suitable footwear for driving, saying shoes should:
Have a sole no thicker than 10mm, but the sole should not be too thin or too soft
Provide enough grip to stop your foot slipping off the pedals
Not be too heavy
Not limit ankle movement
Be narrow enough to accidentally avoid pressing two pedals at once
Been missing the beer garden and boozy pub lunches?
You’re not alone. Just as the rest of the nation has been missing the pub, two-year-old Joshua Hall has been counting down the days till they reopen.
Joshua’s favourite thing to do is go to his local for lunch with his mum Chelsea Fagg, 26.
He’s been asking Chelsea ‘when can we go to the pub?’ for the last few months – so she knew he’d be happy with the Government’s easing of restrictions.
With pubs due to open on 4 July, Joshua can hardly wait.
A cute video shows Chelsea telling Joshua the good news – and him celebrating with a victory dance in his paddling pool, shouting ‘yes’ and punching the air.
Chelsea, a nursing practitioner, from Trumpington, Cambridge, said: ‘He loves going to the pub.
‘He loves having ice cream and chocolate cake and will say “mummy has her wine”. He’s very sociable. He loves talking to the people.’
Joshua used to be a local at the pub (Picture: Chelsea Fagg / SWNS)
Chelsea and her partner alternate with taking care of Joshua and on the weekends when she has him, she usually ends up going to the pub.
Obviously he isn’t downing pints or staying out late, but the toddler just loves the food and the company.
She added: ‘He likes to look at the menu and pick out what he wants to have, and he likes to talk to people on the tables around.
‘He was very upset when the pubs shut down. He had a bit of a tantrum. So he’s pretty happy now we can go.’
Joshua’s favourite meal is garlic bread to start, followed by fish, chips and peas, chocolate cake and ice cream for pudding, washed down with a Fruit Shoot.’
He loves getting an ice cream at the pub (Picture: Chelsea Fagg / SWNS)
Mum Chelsea and Joshua love visiting the pub at the weekend (Picture: Chelsea Fagg / SWNS)
The video was filmed this week and Joshua has been pestering his mum to head to the local ever since.
Have you been saying it wrong all this time? (Picture: Getty)
We’re a nation that loves our biscuits – be it a crumbly Hobnob, a classic digestive or a fruity Garibaldi.
But there’s been an ongoing debate in the baked goods world – how do you pronounce the traditional ‘Nice’ biscuit?
Is it ‘nice’ as in pleasant, or ‘Nice’ as in the place in southern France?
Well, it seems the dilemma has finally been resolved, as manufacturers have confirmed the correct pronunciation, in a response to a question on Twitter.
It turns out it’s the latter – aka ‘niece.’
Australian biscuit brand Arnott’s said: ‘Nice biscuits were named after the city in the south of France and pronounced the same as that city. They have been part of the Arnott’s range since 1922.’
Hi Bruno, thank you for your query. Nice biscuits were named after the city in the South of France and pronounced the same as that city. They have been part of the Arnott’s range since 1922.
Many people have chipped in on social media to share their thoughts.
One follower replied to Arnott’s: ‘I’m so happy to finally know the answer to this. Never too old to learn something new!!’
While another joked: ‘It can be confusing because Nice biscuits are also very nice.’
However, others were shocked by the revelation.
One said: ‘What???????? I’m mortified by this! I grew up eating “Nice” biscuits and now I understand that I and also any family members eating this biscuit had been saying the name wrong all along.’
Someone else added: ‘I can’t handle the new pronunciation – sounds like trying to sound Scottish – “niece biscuits.”’
But this isn’t the only food-related debate that’s been settled recently.
Cadbury explained on Twitter: ‘Chocolate should always be stored in a slightly cool, dry, dark place such as cupboard or pantry at temperatures less than 21°C to ensure the quality isn’t compromised.’
With every successful date, came somewhere safe to sleep (Picture: Chloë Florence)
The first girl I ever slept with was an Australian tourist I’d met through Tinder after our second date to Pride in London.
I impressed her by drunkenly (and successfully) running down an up-escalator. Then we had sex in her hostel. Classy.
I was homeless. But it didn’t hit me at the time. Like 92 per cent of all those who have experienced it, I was hidden homeless. This means I was without a place to call home but hidden from official statistics and not receiving support. The hidden homeless can include those who sofa surf, rough sleep, squat and sleep on public transport.
I was just living my life, surviving from one awkward drunk Tinder date to the next. I’d have a few hook ups a week if I was lucky. Talking to people on the dating app kept me half-sane.
When this didn’t work, at night I’d find a 24-hour McDonald’s, perhaps a rave then maybe a house party, ride a night bus or just roam the streets and sleep in train stations during the day.
During this time, I was a secretly shy baby dyke with internalised homophobia and low self-worth. Meeting queer womxn was hard, especially in queer clubs that were a c**k-fest full of tourists and straight people – how would I know who was gay? Let alone who’d fancy me.
Tinder solved that by opening me up to thousands of queer womxn only a right swipe away. I was more likely to be their type when I met them, combatting my fear of rejection.
This gave me confidence – and with every successful date, came somewhere safe to sleep.
Most of my Tinder dates had no idea of my situation. Or how they inadvertently helped me. I wouldn’t tell people. I was just a party girl with a sea of carefully planned Instagram posts to back it up. I became a master of disguise.
I’d use tester make-up in beauty shops, steal clothes, and wash in public toilets. I was lucky I could blend in. I would tell my dates I worked in retail, that I was a student, that we couldn’t go to mine because my parents were rich business people so they’d kick off.
Of course there were some awkward moments if they found out I was lying, but mostly I passed it off as being drunk, cryptic and not wanting to give too much away – after all, they were mostly first dates.
There was one occasion I persuaded a girl to stay out late and we drove around all night getting high because I didn’t want to risk sleeping outside. I only got with her so she’d want to stay out with me.
I didn’t intend for Tinder dates to become my method of survival. But they became the only people I could talk to and connect with. Looking back, there’s some I wish I’d just befriended instead. But it was my escape from reality and it was fun, even though it inevitably got me into a lot of ‘lesbian drama’.
In fact, the best thing about that time was being free to explore my sexuality and have fun doing it. London is big enough that I faded into the background. It’s a playground that, luckily for me, never slept. It was a blessing.
The times I was raving and Tinder dating were honestly the safest I could have been; the only time I ever found a sense of home, love or hope
Being from a small sleepy homophobic town, I had to suppress my sexuality to survive. Last Pride, there was only one rainbow flag in town and a far-right hate group burned it down the next day.
I only accepted my sexuality when I came to London in my late teens, when I was already homeless. Being queer, kicked out, left in the hands of dangerous people and having nowhere safe to go led me to homelessness. The impact of this on my mental health plus lack of support kept me there.
With the housing crisis the way it is, often the most organisations can do is advise you on how to stay safe.
It’s hard to prove you’re homeless without a letter from the person who kicked you out. Even in abusive situations authorities can discriminate and don’t believe you because of your sexuality.
I faced rejection and blame when I asked for help. I believed it was my fault and my problem to solve.
There are a lot of risks being a queer womxn on the street. My femininity and queerness made me a prime target for attacks and exploitation. When I’ve fallen asleep outside, I’ve been assaulted and pissed on by drunk men on a night out. I’ve been robbed at knife point and sexually attacked.
Later, when I got into temporary hostels I faced further discrimination, abuse and harassment, even from staff.
The times I was raving and Tinder dating were honestly the safest I could have been; the only time I ever found a sense of home, love or hope.
Tinder and clubbing helped me survive seven years of homelessness. I would not have survived this pandemic. The modes of survival I used cease to exist in lockdown. And underfunded services are being stretched even further. For people like me the pandemic is literally a death sentence.
Right now, I’m lucky. After receiving support over the last couple of years from Stonewall Housing (a homeless LGBTQ+ housing charity), I was finally housed just before lockdown.
Now I wonder if those who broke the rules of lockdown – just for the sake of getting out the house – realise how lucky they are to have a home. And if those with power realise that their actions, or lack thereof, result in death.
When we take things for granted like our home, our race, our sexuality, our family – we forget our privilege. People don’t tend to act on problems until it directly affects them. The truth is, in this economy, anyone could end up homeless.
This Pride it’s even more important to spread kindness and look out for those mistreated by society. Remember, many of them fought for queer liberation in the first place.
Black people, trans people, homeless people, those living in poverty. They didn’t choose to be marginalised. You can choose to do better.
This will be my first Pride not homeless and I’ll be happily celebrating at home with my beautiful girlfriend.
LGBTQ+ Pride month
From 22-28 June, Metro.co.uk is spotlighting the voices of LGBTQ+ people and the unique challenges they face.
If you have an experience you would like to share, please email james.besanvalle@metro.co.uk with LGBTQ+ Pride week as the subject.
Ben is saving money by working from home, but he’s spending it on weed, sandwiches, and PlayStation games (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Each week we’re taking a look at how people spend and save their money with our series, How I Save.
We’re keen to open up the conversation around money and take an honest look at how people manage their finances, by asking a different person to track their spending for a week, talk us through their savings tactics, and then we get them some expert advice on how they could boost their savings.
This time we’re looking inside the ingoings and outgoings of Ben*, 23, a digital marketer living in Southend-on-Sea.
Note: We never recommend following any How I Save participants’ spending habits or hold them up as a shining example of what anyone should be doing. That includes casual drug use, which we’re not endorsing, just detailing honestly.
How Ben saves:
I earn £35,000 a year. In my savings account right now I have £2,701. I did have more, but as my flat is a new build it took a while for the council tax to be worked out, so I’ve just had to pay the best part of six months of council tax.
I’ve saved this much money by moving out of a HMO (house in multiple occupation) and into a flat I share with my partner. This has ended up with me having less outgoings, so I save the difference in bills, also I’ve recently started a new job with better pay, so that helps.
I’m saving to have a safety net, I’ve spent most of my adult life living paycheck to paycheck, so when I got a new job and moved in with my partner, I had the perfect opportunity to start saving and give myself a safety net, so I wouldn’t spend the last week of the month eating nothing but 40p ramen noodles.
The main way I save is I recently moved into a flat with my partner. Because we’re now splitting bills, I have some extra money to stash away for a rainy day. I’ve also started a new job this year that pays a bit more, so I’ve ended up being able to put a bit more money into my savings account recently. Also because of lockdown I’m working from home, this has saved me £120 a month in train fairs and £3.50 a day that would usually go to a meal deal at lunch.
I struggle with saving because I have no impulse control. After living on tight budgets most of my life, I’ve become a wild spender as an adult now that I have the freedom to spend
How Ben spends:
Monthly expenses:
£700 for rent, utilities, WiFi, BT TV.
£100 for my phone, Spotify, PlayStation+ .
A week of spending:
Monday: I’ve been working from home so my usual work expenses are out the window. I spend all day doing work, then at lunch I make a £40 donation to a Black Lives Matter fund, after seeing everything happening I found a charity pool being shared about and put some money in on my lunch break.
After work I did the big shop, covers me and my partner for a week with lunch bits, dinners, snacks and booze, totalled up at £60.07. I’m not a very efficient shopper. I go to Sainsbury’s as its a short walk, so no chance for decent deals but that’s all my food for the week covered, brought my own bags so I saved about 60p there.
Total spent on Monday: £100.07
Tuesday: WFH again another day that was mostly quiet until after work. I thought I’d have a day spending no money, then when I checked the post I had got my first council tax bill in six months. I live in a new build and they have only just worked out what band my building is in, so I make a £469.19 payment to the council.
Then to cheer myself up I spent £20 on some new sweatpants from ASOS. I then at 11pm remembered that I needed to get presents for three family birthdays at the weekend and Father’s Day in a few weeks so I opened up Amazon and spent £89.45 on assorted gifts for everyone.
Total spent on Tuesday: £578.64
Wednesday: Around lunchtime I realise I can’t be bothered to make myself lunch, still bummed about my council tax bill so I decide to get myself a Subway on Deliveroo, needed to get it to £10 for minimum delivery, so I had a footlong sub, pack of crisps, a drink and some hash browns to get it up – cost £14.75 including the tip for the driver.
My partner pops to the big Sainsbury’s at lunch and asks if I need any extra presents, I send her £25 for a few extra presents for my mum’s birthday. When my partner gets home, she reveals she got an extra PlayStation controller so we can play games together, so naturally I spend £37 picking up a few two-player games on the PlayStation store.
Total spent on Wednesday: £76.75
Thursday: Again, working from home, no plans for anything after. I planned not to spend any money on Thursday, until I saw the Supreme drop list for this week. Usually I’m not a hype beast, but I saw an orange top that would go with my favourite trainers, so spent £54 on a Supreme T-shirt. In the evening
I go for a stroll around the block and pop to the corner shop for something to do, they had Rio (tropical Fizzy pop) in stock for the first time in forever, I buy four cans to shove in the fridge and a Milky Bar as a treat – it came to £3.85 for my haul.
Total spent on Thursday: £57.85
Friday: Fridays are usually my splurge days. Luckily after my spending this week I decided to rein it back in.
I just needed to order some more E-Liquids for my vape online and that cost me £20.99 including delivery. Also at lunch my partner came home to see me and have lunch, so I got us a Subway, we split the bill – so only cost £8 for my footlong meal deal. Somehow managed to not buy anything else all day, that’s a win in my book!
Total spent on Friday: £28.99
Saturday: Drove down to my parents who live a while away to drop off presents and have a quick chat in the garden. My partner is driving and declines my offer of paying for petrol, so I buy us both a meal deal for the drive at £7 for us both.
After dropping off presents I then decide to be naughty and pick up some weed (there’s nothing else to do at the moment) I spend £50 on some weed and 40p on some Rizla.
On the way back from my seeing my parents we stop off at a Mcdonalds as we haven’t had one in ages, I offer to pay for it and that costs me £17.99, when we get home I pop to the corner shop to buy some loo roll – £3 for a four-pack of Andrex.
Total spent on Saturday: £78.39
Sunday: Probably the quietest day of the week for me, no plans and I wasn’t leaving the flat so should have been a no spending day, but I take a boredom trip to the corner shop and buy some coconut flour for 99p as it was on discount aisle and I was interested in if it makes cakes taste different, I haven’t tested it yet.
Total spent on Sunday: 99p
Total spent this week: £921.68 (£452.49 without council tax)
How Ben could save:
We spoke to the experts over at Plum, the smart app for managing your money to find out how Ben can save better (and what we can learn from his spending).
Here’s what they said:
Hey Ben, thanks for sharing your week with us.
It’s always interesting to read different people’s approaches to personal finance. From your diary, we’re getting that saving hasn’t always felt easy for you, but since your life circumstances changed recently, you’re trying some new strategies that already seem to be working well. Great!
It often takes a change of circumstances to help us find new habits that suit us, and it seems like you’ve employed some positive strategies to start feeling good about money again! It’s amazing to hear that you still want to improve your financial situation further, but don’t forget to take a moment and recognise all of your incredible achievements so far.
Let’s take a closer look.
Saving
Although you’ve struggled to have adequate money set aside in the past, you were able to pay a large unexpected bill with savings to spare. So while you despair at your perceived lack of impulse control… we suspect you actually possess strong willpower within you!
Either way, we can all benefit from a helping hand when it comes to managing our money. Tucking money away automatically will really help you build up a nice amount in no time at all. Plum sets small amounts away into a separate account every few days (out of sight, out of mind!), and you can also set up things like a payday boost to remove further temptation.
Safety nets are essential, but they’re not the most engaging thing to save for. By setting up separate Pockets you can split your savings between them so that you can also work towards something more exciting as well.
Spending
The benefits of lockdown may not be obvious, but that £120 from train fares alone is a nice bonus. You’re not alone in spending less during the Coronavirus outbreak. We found that people had saved five more with Plum during May compared to the start of the year! And if you’ve bought a few things to get you through the boredom, that’s not a big problem as long as it’s within reasonable parameters.
Which brings us to our main recommendation. The key to controlling spending easily is… you guessed it… a budget. It sounds like you’re a free-thinking type of guy, but a budget doesn’t have to be too restrictive! Think about splitting your spending money each week so that you have an allocated amount for different “impulse” expenses. That way you can still spend guilt-free.
*Name has been changed.
How I Save is a weekly series about how people spend and save, out every Thursday. If you’d like to anonymously share how you spend and save – and get some expert advice on how to sort out your finances – get in touch by emailing ellen.scott@metro.co.uk.
If you want more tips and tricks on saving money, as well as chat about cash and alerts on deals and discounts, join our Facebook Group, Money Pot.
While there was more pain, it was at least shared (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
Instead of writing this article, I should be on Instagram posting a grainy black and white image of a tiny baby along with some witty banter telling the world I’m expecting in December.
But when I went for my 12 week scan three weeks ago, instead of seeing excited, flashing heartbeats, I saw a shape that was still. And then I heard the words that have engraved themselves into my brain: ‘Have you had any pain or bleeding, Rebecca?’
I was told there was no heartbeat and that my baby had died two weeks earlier.
The aftermath was horrendous: messy, impersonal and dictated by coronavirus. There were masks and screens and staring eyes and gloves, and no Rob.
My husband had not been allowed to accompany me to the scan,coronavirus cruelly robbing us of contact when we both needed it the most.
And then there were the decisions: should I let nature take its course, go home and wait to start bleeding? Take the pills that bring on a miscarriage? Opt for a surgical removal? The questions and language barriers between me and the medics were only made harder by masks.
Rob arrived and the nurses let him in on the basis that these were ‘exceptional circumstances’. His touch filled me with relief and while there was more pain, it was at least shared. We listened to the nurses’ explanations but still begged them – are you sure? Could you have made a mistake? Maybe it’s just too early for a heartbeat?
What followed was nearly a week of failed drugs, scans and procedures. There was so much confusion between doctors about what the ‘safe thing’ was to do during the pandemic, but eventually, five days later, I had emergency surgery to remove an incomplete miscarriage.
The hurt of losing a baby is inescapable and unbearable. I’ve never known anything like it. It scorches you from the heart outwards and then, when the initial burn fades, it’s replaced by a deep, dark ache.
The physical pain and emptiness isn’t the same for Rob, but the grief is all still there (Picture: Bex Gunn)
I did everything right. I gave up drinking well before we conceived; I took folic acid; I didn’t eat rare meat, soft cheese, tuna, egg yolks. I exercised but not too strenuously, I self isolated to be safe from the virus and I was 100 per cent diligent… and it still happened. It wasn’t my fault. Baby loss is never anyone’s fault.
Although ‘missed’ miscarriages (where the baby has died but is still in utero) are not as common, one in four pregnancies end this way and yet you never really hear about it. It’s easier to pretend it doesn’t happen because no one ever knows what to say.
The baby hasn’t yet seen the world, so the loss is almost brushed aside. What is totally underestimated, however, is the impact the baby has already made on the mother. On me. We shared our bodies, we planned the birth, we chose names, guessed birth dates, times and weights.
Reaching out and talking to friends who I knew had experienced miscarriage has been the only thing that’s brought me anything approaching comfort. When you experience trauma, you look for it, seeking out connection.
Yet again, coronavirus denied me the solace of seeing them in person and I realised how much I take intimacy for granted. Unable to hug, hold and be held by my closest friends in a time of extreme grief has felt alien and wrong, and added a new depth to the sadness.
In its absence, I shared my story on a public Facebook page and within hours it had gone viral. I received over 2,000 messages of love and solidarity, so I created a support group of my own and overnight found myself with over 1,000 new friends, all of whom were hurting and desperately wanting to be heard without shame and judgement.
Without exception, these women said ‘I wish it was more acceptable to talk about miscarriage, I wish we could normalise it so it isn’t such an isolating experience’.
And what about our men? Rob has had to watch on helplessly. He couldn’t be present for the scans and conversations and to hear the options, yet he has lost a child too. The physical pain and emptiness isn’t the same, but the grief is all still there.
The last few weeks have been challenging to say the least. As a wedding photographer, Covid-19 has put paid to my work, while Rob is out every day working as a tree surgeon. This space has given my imagination unlimited boundaries and I’ve tried to prevent myself from visiting dark places in my mind. Social media, along with exercise, reading and writing, have been invaluable.
Losing a baby is new, fresh and raw for us but we’ve experienced previous trauma in our lives, enough to know that healing lies in sharing and kindness. Miscarrying in lockdown has, at the very least, also given us the space and time to come to terms with what has happened, to cry without inhibition or time restraints.
We have been able to lock ourselves away to begin healing, and to love each other in the quiet peace of a world that was put on pause.
Despite the fact that this is way out of my comfort zone, I’m talking about it because it only takes one person to speak out to help, and I want to help.
GET SUPPORT
More support and information on miscarriage and baby loss can be found via the Tommy’s website at tommys.org
Emily and Jon moved into this van and have been travelling Europe with their dog Loki (Picture: PA Real Life)
After meeting online two years ago, Emily Ashley and Jon Edwards, both 33, bonded over their passion for travel.
Emily, an occupational therapist and John, who worked in engineering for a robotics company soon decided to leave their high-flying jobs for a life on the road.
Their wake-up call came when Jon was signed off work, exhausted and struggling with with his mental health.
So they decided to become nomads, buying and customising a part-modified van, leaving their flat in Ashford, Surrey, in March.
When they bought the Iveco Daily Turbo 98 long wheelbase van for £5,500, from a Birmingham dealership through eBay, Emily admits she insisted on certain specifications before she would call it home.
The van is tall enough to accommodate six-feet Ben, has a shower, toilet and a fixed bed that doesn’t need to be put away.
They say the traveller lifestyle has been ‘liberating’ for them and made them realise how little they need to survive and thrive.
The van is tall enough to fit Jon’s height and also includes a fixed bed as per Emily’s wish (Picture: PA Real Life)
Emily, who loves life in their home on wheels with Jon and their Belgian Malinois dog Loki, said: ‘We appreciate a simple life now, without the need for too many luxuries.
‘You don’t realise how little you need to live until you try, which also means we consume less and have a smaller negative effect on the earth.
‘It’s too easy to just buy things to solve a problem back home, but you can’t waste money on rubbish from Amazon if you don’t have a postal address.
‘The freedom to have a different back garden every day is a big plus, too.’
By the end of 2019, their van was renovated and now boasts an L-shaped sofa, which converts to a single bed, with storage underneath housing a solar panel charge controller, a diesel heater, water heater, batteries, and dry foods.
It also has a kitchen, complete with an oven, hob, sink and coolbox, a raised double bed, and even a dog kennel to keep Loki secure when the vehicle is in motion.
Beside the bed is a bathroom, complete with a cassette toilet and shower.
Working right up until they departed from England, Jon and Emily finally left their jobs and hit the road in March 2020, taking with them about 75% of their remaining belongings and just leaving larger items like mountain bikes with family.
While their original travel plans were curtailed by the Covid-19 pandemic, with many European countries closing their borders, the intrepid travellers still made their escape.
For Jon, long before even meeting Emily, it had been a dream to take off in a campervan and enjoy life on the open road.
He said: ‘It has been really freeing to step away from the stress of the nine to five.
‘The pressures we put on ourselves to be so-called grown-ups are often self-imposed. Things like work, mortgages, marriage and babies are still going to be there when we get back.’
Jon and Emily’s new home (Picture: PA Real Life)
Emily added: ‘We cut right back on luxuries to save money, as we knew that adventure was coming.
‘We didn’t have weekends away, minibreaks, takeaways or anything else like that.
‘We also gradually downsized our possessions, reducing the amount of things like clothing and electrical goods that we had.’
Since March, the intrepid pair have been gradually exploring the Netherlands, where they stayed for seven weeks, and Germany.
Currently in the picturesque Black Forest, they hope to head to Austria at the end of the month, before travelling through Slovenia, Croatia, Italy, France, Spain and Portugal, provided it is safe and legal to do so.
Jon – the only one with a special license needed to drive the van, which is an HGV – says that, as well as improving his physical and mental health, their new life has deepened their love.
‘Now, we sort out the practicalities of pure survival, like where to get food and water, then the days are ours to hike, explore, walk Loki or cuddle up under a duvet in the middle of the Great Outdoors.’
Everything about their adventure – which they plan to continue until the end of the year – is positive, according to the couple.
Emily continued: ‘We’re expecting to have to come home on December 31st when the UK is set to leave the EU and then evaluate from there.
‘If it wasn’t for that, we could afford another nine months or so before heading back to work and saving for a few months to hit the road again.
‘But we’ve got another six months to enjoy before worrying about that.’
The couple are quick to dispel any myths that calling a van home is a dirty way of life and are keen to encourage others to follow in their footsteps.
I could have easily stayed at home, sat on my phone reading social media, feeding feelings of depression and anxiety from watching the news constantly.
Instead, I’m surrounded by people who are making a real impact to help humanity.
Just today, I loaded the van and delivered over 600 food parcels to people around the Grenfell Tower area. It’s not my usual job – I’m normally a creative director and a photographer – but then, these are unusual times.
Before the pandemic hit, The Mayor Of London and I were about to take over Trafalgar Square this summer to celebrate the men’s Euro 2020 with a Last Stand tournament, to champion young people and tackle racism – but due to coronavirus, this amazing project got postponed.
The Last Stand is a street football tournament I founded that aims to unite communities and break down social, cultural and religious barriers through sport in a bid to tackle London’s increasing postcode wars and knife crime.
It brings together the worlds of film, fashion and music too and creates real opportunities for young people to get involved in the creative industries through mentoring schemes and more.
But the whole world around me paused and suddenly I had a load of time on my hands. So I began volunteering at Guru Maneyo Granth Gurdwara (GMGG), a Sikh temple near where I live in Slough.
GMGG are collaborating with local authorities, charities, food banks, schools, faith organisations and homeless shelters all over Greater London to send out food packages and hot meals to those impacted by coronavirus.
I started by delivering 20-30 food bags a day to various households in Slough, but as the project grew, I’m now delivering thousands of meals a week to households and charities across the capital to the homeless, the vulnerable, the self-isolating and shielding, people who’ve lost all their income because of the pandemic, as well as eight different NHS hospitals
The note from Jean and Doug (Picture: Gundeep Anand)
One recipient who stood out for me was pensioner Jean, whose husband is on an oxygen tank, so she hasn’t left their home since March to protect him. Every time she would see our delivery van, you could see the tears of joy in her eyes as she gave us her blessings from a distance.
She even left me a note saying how grateful she was. Hearing from people like Jean has truly humbled me and made me realise life is beautiful when we begin to serve others first.
Over the past two months, GMGG have delivered 44,000 vegetarian hot meals a week all over London. They also distributed more than 100 tonnes of food to charities, faith organisations and individuals and another 3,500 food parcels a week to our local Slough community, all of it self-funded, with no money donations or government grants.
The effort is an extension of the 500-year-old plus Sikh practice of langar (free community kitchen), where anyone can visit a Sikh temple and get a free vegetarian meal, whatever their faith, to demonstrate the importance of community coming together.
So after the Gurdwara was closed in lockdown, our langar kitchen remained open and now sends food to anyone who needs it most.
I’m just one of more than 100 volunteers making this happen – there are teachers, psychotherapists, pharmacists, lawyers, fashion designers, all sorts.
Gundeep before lockdown (Picture: Gundeep Anand)
But as well as delivering food, my favourite part is making the hot meals. As we prepare and cook the food, say lentils and rice, we meditate and repeat wahe-guru.
Wahe-guru as a mantra is kind of hard to explain because there is no one explanation. It’s like a ‘Wow!’ – an exclamation of wonder.
It’s often used to express thanks to the infinite, a celebration of the incredible flow of the divine, and to bow in humility to the wonders of this world. Literally translated, the mantra means ‘wonderful God’ – but it means so much more than that as part of simran, which is meditation to bring calmness to the mind to realise your higher purpose in life.
We ensure the goodness is going into the food and by doing simran, it nourishes the body and the mind.
All this has definitely made me more grateful. With The Last Stand, I’m used to helping disadvantaged and marginalised young people from all walks of life – now, I’m helping thousands of people in deprived environments I pray to god no one has to experience. You can sense and feel the struggle.
The whole journey has made me realise the importance of community and looking out for each other. It’s made me realise my problems are insignificant when you see so much pain and austerity firsthand.
This project has melted my heart and upgraded me as a human being. It’s shown me how we all can live in harmony and peace through unity and by doing simran meditation.
The past two months have put my whole life into perspective. Now, I truly realise how important your health, family and loved ones are. It’s allowed me to see the bigger picture and make a difference.
Most importantly, now my mind is calm and I have more clarity. Being present is the only present we need.
And as long as people need our food, the project and I will carry on.
You can find out more about GMGG’s food programme here, and The Last Stand here.
