Children in Need: Various groups in Lincoln are gearing up to raise funds for the annual Children in Need charity event.
It’s that time of year again where the BBC hosts a special event to raise funds for its UK corporate charity, Children in Need — so why not have some fun by helping with a fundraising event in Lincoln?
The Children in Need vision is that every child in the UK had a childhood that is safe, happy and secure, and allows them to reach their potential.
The official BBC Children in Need appeal date is Friday November 15, where people from all over the country will be raising money and donating to the cause.
As fundraisers in Lincoln start the polka dots rolling, The Lincolnite takes a look at community efforts across the city.
Lincoln residents will join Pudsey at the BT Call Centre on Rope Walk to take donations over the phone.
The team from Lincoln Honda are planning to come to work in onesies, take part in a raffle, and watch one manager shave his head.
Russel Payne & Co Chartered Accountants are ditching their suits in favour of PJs and onesies on Friday, and will be posting photos on their Facebook page.
Lincoln’s own real American smokehouse Ribs ‘n’ Bibs are hosting a 50% charity day on November 15, where half of the day’s takings will be donated to Children in Need. The Ribs ‘n’ Bibs team plan to raise in excess of £1,500 on the day, and will be posting photos and updates on Facebook and Twitter.
Students from the University of Lincoln Islamic Society will be accompanying the pupils from the Old Station Nursery at the Marina, who will be hosting a street collection between 9am and 11am. Costumed characters will encourage pedestrians to donate in return for a photograph.
The team at Shoe Zone on Lincoln High Street having been dressing up throughout the week, and plan for more fancy dress and cake selling on Friday.
Lincoln DFS branch are also doing their bit for the charity. Pledging £1 million to this year’s appeal, DFS are offering limited edition pillows which are for sale in the Lincoln store.
The cushions cost £10, with every penny of the £4 profit going to BBC Children in Need.
St Faith & St Martin’s Junior School, St Johns Academy and Bishop King Primary School are wearing PJs for the day.
Children from Reepham CE Primary will be wearing clothes with spots on and selling Pudsey wristbands.
Holt Primary School, Skellingthorpe, are wearing spots and selling cakes.
Childcare students at Lincoln College are studying in their PJs for the day and selling cakes.
4Children Nursery in Waddington, are getting ready to dress up as their favourite superheroes.
It’s wear your PJs to work day across Lincolnshire YMCA and Showroom.
At the University of Lincoln, the Finance Department are hosting an all you can eat Italian buffet.
14-year-old Keavie-Jaye from Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School is gearing up for a ‘close-shave’ on November 15. Keavie-Jaye will be shaving off her 7-inch ponytail in front of friends, family and teachers in order to raise money for Children in Need.
In addition to her target of raising £350.00 for the BBC’s charity, she will also be donating her golden locks to Little Princess Trust.
You can follow Keavie-Jaye in the lead-up to the big shave in her facebook page. For more details, or to donate, visit the JustGiving page.
Keavie-Jaye is getting ready to lose the locks for BBC Children in Need.
Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School students will also be doing a giant Harlem Shake in the Sports Hall after school to help raise money.
Four male members of staff from Integrity Software (i-Salon) in Lincoln are having their legs waxed for Children In Need.
So far, the team have raised £200 for Children In Need, and residents can also donate to their cause via a Just Giving page.
Adam Higgins, Adam Whittington, Doug Frost, Kyle Steele and Matt Smith
The Lincolnite will be following all the Children in Need action on Friday. Follow the liveblog on the day for Lincoln photos and updates, and keep us updated with what you or your office is up to by messaging [email protected]
Fewer cases but more deaths this week
There have been 1,643 new coronavirus cases and 83 COVID-related deaths in Greater Lincolnshire this week – compared to 1,670 cases and 71 deaths last week.
Some 304 new cases and 17 deaths were reported in Greater Lincolnshire on Friday – the third day in a row with 17 deaths.
The government’s COVID-19 dashboard recorded 252 new cases in Lincolnshire, 28 in North Lincolnshire and 24 in North East Lincolnshire.
On Friday, 14 deaths were registered in Lincolnshire, two in North East Lincolnshire and one in North Lincolnshire. These figures include deaths both in and out of hospitals, as well as residents in hospitals outside the county.
NHS England reported six new local hospital deaths at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust, four at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLAG) and one at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals. Some 51 hospital deaths have been recorded this week, compared to 48 last week.
On Friday, national cases increased by 40,261 to 3,583,907, while deaths rose by 1,401 to 95,981.
Lincolnshire health bosses estimate that 80-90% of new coronavirus cases in the county are now a mutant, more infectious strain of COVID.
Figures earlier this week said that by January 8, 59.2% of cases had confirmed the new virus — up from 36% by the end of 2020 — and now county leaders estimate the number to be even higher.
The COVID mutation that has taken over most new cases in Lincolnshire is not only more infectious, but also more deadly, it has been revealed.
NHS bosses are hoping to offer all care homes in Lincolnshire the first COVID vaccine dose by the end of the week. This comes as almost 5.4 million people have received jabs nationally.
Director of Nursing at Lincolnshire CCG Martin Fahy told BBC Radio Lincolnshire that about three quarters has been completed so far.
A single week in December saw Lincolnshire deaths reach 13 times the yearly average, explained local health bosses frustrated with COVID deniers.
Lincolnshire County Council’s Director of Public Health Professor Derek Ward explained that the week including December 14 would usually see an average of 23 deaths, but 2020 say 301 deaths that week.
In national news, there are no plans to pay everyone in England who tests positive for COVID-19 £500 to self-isolate, No 10 has said.
The PM’s official spokesman said there was already a £500 payment available for those on low incomes who could not work from home and had to isolate.
The coronavirus R number in the UK has fallen sharply since last week, suggesting the lockdown is slowing the spread of coronavirus.
The R, which refers to the number of people that an infected person will pass COVID-19 on to, is between 0.8 and 1 across the UK, according to the figures released by the Government Office for Science and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).
This means for every 10 people infected with COVID-19, they will pass the virus on to between eight and 10 others.
Lincoln City has taken the top spot with the highest infection rate in Greater Lincolnshire.
This week saw South Holland at the top which was put down to two outbreaks in care homes with up to 100 cases. South Holland has now dropped to third place in the region.
Greater Lincolnshire still remains way below the national average infection rate of 472.9, with just 217.3 per 100,000 of the population.
Here’s Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rate over the last seven days up to January 22 according to the government dashboard:
Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rates from Jan 15 to Jan 22. | Data: Gov UK / Table: James Mayer for The Lincolnite
Greater Lincolnshire includes Lincolnshire and the unitary authorities of North and North East (Northern) Lincolnshire.
45,645 cases (up 304)
1,760 deaths (up 17)
of which 1,047 hospital deaths (up 11)
3,583,907 UK cases, 95,981 deaths
The charity project turned into a business
A Lincoln couple will reopen their independent pizzeria at a new location on Friday night, with an array of main and signature pizzas and Belgian waffles.
Weirdough’s Pizza Emporium will open at Tap & Spile on Hungate from 5pm on Friday, January 22, but it initially started out as a charity project making Neo-Neapolitan pizzas.
Husband and wife team Matt and Rachel Barnes have lived in Lincoln for around five years and last year they wanted to do something to raise money for the NHS.
Matt starting to prepare a pizza. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Kneading the dough. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Matt used to work at a Lincoln school, but they were closed to most pupils for a few weeks in March, so he started working on a project and Weirdoughs Pizza Emporium was born.
It was initially run from The West End Tap from the end of last summer, but in January the pub announced it would not reopen again under its current management, so Weirdoughs had to find a new premises.
The base ready for the next stage of the pizza making. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Matt putting the pizza into the oven. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The tasty pizza in the oven. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Adding the finishing touches to the pizza. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
All profits made from the food sold – just under £2,000 – went to the NHS. The couple also did some drop offs at the coronavirus ward at Lincoln County Hospital.
Matt was made redundant at the end of May and Rachel was due to give birth four weeks after that.
It was a hectic time for the couple as Rachel, who works at a primary school in Peterborough, would be on maternity leave and Matt would soon have no income.
The Margz main pizza – San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The Weirdough – San Marzano tomatoes, parmesan, Emmental, mozzarella, red onions, roasted red peppers, mushrooms, spicy Nduja sausage, rocket, balsamic glaze and garlic drizzle. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
As the pizzas were working so well and following feedback from customers, the couple decided to turn it into a business.
Dan Neale, who previously ran the West End Tap, has joined the Weirdoughs team of four as a pizza chef.
Or why not try a Create Your Own Weirdoughs Waffle? | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The dough is homemade 24 hours ahead to make their special main and signature pizzas, while customers can also order a create your own Weirdoughs waffle.
The Belgian waffles come with a variety of toppings such as Kinder Bueno, Crunchie, and Galaxy Caramel, with sauces including white and milk chocolate, salted caramel and toffee, with ice cream.
Weirdoughs will open Friday to Sunday 5pm-9pm and Wednesday to Thursday 5pm-8pm for takeaway or delivery.
Pre-ordering is advised via Facebook or Instagram or by calling 07734 297 035, with the latter option preferred if it is after 4.30pm.
Owner Matt Barnes will help meet your pizza needs. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Delivery is available to the following areas: Ermine, St Giles, Monks Road, High Street, Bailgate, Boultham, West End and the city centre.
Weirdoughs will try and accommodate other areas too, but it may incur additional charges, while the takeaway will also be joining Uber Eats in the near future.
Weirdoughs will be based inside the Tap & Spile pub in Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Once pubs are allowed to reopen again, customers at the Tap & Spile will able to order Weirdoughs food straight to their table and Matt said he can’t wait for people to able to experience it that way.
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