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Councillor Steps in to help Alex

Councillor Steps in to help Alex

Meet Alex. He’s three, full of smiles and lives with mum and dad in Whelley. He loves zooming around on his scooter and playing with all his toys.

But every day Alex needs physiotherapy because of a rare condition affecting his legs. It’s called Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy – and means he needs plastic leg splints to walk around.

Parents Marie and Robert were disappointed that the NHS do not fund the necessary operations to overcome Alex’s problems, but have learned that a procedure is available in America which has had a hundred per cent success rate.

Ward councillor and cabinet customer champion Chris Ready heard about Alex’s plight and has spent time with his parents to suggest fund raising and promotional ideas to help raise the necessary cash to send Alex to Missouri’s St Louis Children’s Hospital.

Cllr Ready says: “Alex is just like any other little boy – lively, full of fun and with a cheeky smile. And he is just one operation away from living a normal life free of spasticity and leg splints. But it comes at a cost.”

Dad Robert says that that they need to raise £40,000. “The operation, plus the cost of travel, accommodation and aftercare physiotherapy is expensive,” he says. “But I know we can raise it. From bag packing at the supermarket to climbing Snowdon and skydiving, people are doing amazing things for Alex.”

Dr Park of the St Louis Hospital performs Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy. It’s a procedure that’s been carried out there for nearly 30 years on over 2000 patients with a hundred per cent success rate. The procedure involves cutting the ‘bad’ nerves going into the patient’s legs which causes the spasticity – and the result is a significant improvement in walking and posture.

Cllr Ready adds: “The generosity of local people has been amazing and I’m proud to have been asked to help. I’m sure that we can work together to help this lad back onto his feet.”

See www.alexjames-hopefund.co.uk for more details

Working with Lisa Nandy Mp

Chris Works on a weekly basis with Lisa Nandy discussing issues in the Aspull, New Springs and Whelley Ward Chris says its so important to keep up to speed with developments from Lisa office

Lisa comments Chris puts so much effort into his community work is passion and drive is fantastic he's one of the best cllrs i have worked with when you work with Chris its real teamwork.

Aspull Juniors Cash Boost

Manny Flores pictured with the open age team Aspull Juniors with Cllrs Hilton,Ready and Conway
the team recieved a Cash Boost for the club

Manny commented the support from our cllrs is superb they support all our community groups from brownies to over 60s
keep up the good work and thanks

Chris Ready said the work our community groups do is so important its what makes our area a community

Big Brothers Luke Backs Chris's Campaign

Luke Marsdens of Big Brother Fame backs Chris's election Campaign

Luke Comments as a resident of Chris's Ward i have see first hand the work he as done over the years in the community his passion and commitment to Wigan is second to none.

Fly Tipping

Me2You Charity Evening

We had an exellent evening at the charity bash at the Monaco all the team do an exellent job including our daughter Kelly we are very proud of her i only took a couple of pictures i am sure there will be more around

Restoration work has begun on Greater Manchester’s last remaining windmill, at Haigh near Wigan.

The historic wind pump, built in 1845, was originally used to pump water from two ponds to the reservoir at nearby Haigh Brewery but has remained disused for decades.

Now, thanks to a successful £60,000 Heritage Lottery fund bid by Wigan Council, essential remedial work, including replacing the broken and missing sails, is finally underway.

Council Conversation Officer Jason Kennedy joined cabinet member and local ward councillor Chris Ready at the site this week to see how the job was going.

Cllr Ready, who was instrumental in getting the lottery bid, says: “I’m delighted to see work begin on site and the contractors, G Bullen, using their unique expertise to restore this iconic building for the benefit of future generations. This was only possible through great partnership working between the council the parish council and the windmill society/

“Haigh is a key gateway into Wigan’s Greenheart regional park and the project will also promote a new windmill walk and interpretation of the heritage value and significance of the windmill. Upon completion of the work, Haigh Parish Council and the Friends of Haigh Windmill will assume responsibility for its upkeep.”

Wigan Council’s Environmental Education Team has also been working with four local schools to teach children the history of the windmill.

The project will be marked by the creation of a mosaic outside St David’s School designed with the help of pupils at the school. Completion of the work will be celebrated with an opening event due to be held during the National Mills weekend in May.

Flying the flag for Armed Forces Day

Flying the flag for Armed Forces Day

They make great personal sacrifices, showing tremendous strength and loyalty to our country and
On Saturday 25 June, the borough will honour the bravery and commitment our armed forces and veterans for this years Armed Forces day at Leigh Sports Village .
Wigan Labour councillors have donated £5100 towards the event.
Veterans Association chairman, Des White said:
Without this donation the Armed Forces day would not take place. This has made it possible for VeteransÂ’ issues to be featured in discussions with local and central government where the key decisions are taking place. Our mutual support and partnership has helped make events like the Armed Forces Day a success.
"We are delighted to continue to support our dedicated servicemen and ex-servicemen, says Council Leader Lord Peter Smith.
Its important that they are given recognition for the work that they do in often very difficult conditions.
Borough residents showed great support for our armed forces at last year's event adds Cllr Chris Ready.
Im sure this year’s Armed Forces day will continue the success!
The Veteran’s council are calling on schools, colleges and businesses to support Wigan’s armed forces community.
For further information regarding Armed Forces day visit www.armedforcesday.org.uk/
To find out more about the Veteran’s Council visit www.veteranscouncil.org.uk

GIRL POWER at New Springs Lions

GIRL POWER
Girls not only play with Lionesses at New Springs Lions ARLFC, they are also coaches. Cllr Chris Ready and Cllr Ron Conway presented our recently qualified five lady coaches with their RFL Certificate. The Club’s Development Officer, John Shaw, commented that our ladies should be proud of their achievements. They are among some of the first female coaches in Wigan. They not only coach Rugby, they promote fitness within the girl’s team, and they also take an active role in the Club’s after school program. The Club would like to take this opportunity to congratulate lionesses on their success. We would also like to thank Cllrs Ready and Conway for their support of the “Come and Play With Lions” schools program; the main aim of this activity to introduce young people to sport and fitness.

Back to school for singing star Simon William

Back to school for singing star Simon William
He’s sold-out a performance at the DW Stadium…
Supported soul legends The Drifters...
And performed at a star-studded X-Factor party…
But now rising singing star Simon William is about to embark on a tour with a difference.
The 23 year-old, who hails from Standish is getting ready to share his insider knowledge of how to break into the entertainment industry with some fledgling stars of tomorrow.

With the support of Aspull Ward Member and Council Cabinet Member Chris Ready, Simon will be presenting his master-class in breaking into showbiz with children at schools in his local areas of Aspull and Standish.

Former Standish High School pupil Simon cites a range of influences as diverse as Frank Sinatra, Robbie Williams and Green Day! He says: “My message to young people is that if you dedicate yourself to the music and don’t give up on your dream, you’ll be amazed by what you can achieve.”

But it’s not just all about life in the spotlight for Simon, because he’s also dedicated to charity work.
His self-penned debut which is due out in November called “I’ll Protect You” is dedicated to the Forces charity Help for Heroes. But before that he will be putting on a special charity gig at Hindley’s Monaco Ballroom on Friday (March 18). Proceeds from the event will go to local bereavement charity From Me 2 You.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Simon on the school visits,” says Cllr Ready. “He’s a talented young man with a big future and a big heart. I’m sure he’ll make Wigan proud!”

Although he may be moving on to bigger things in the future, Simon who is a big Latics fan will never forget his roots.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help of my family and friends in Aspull, they’ve all been really supportive.”
So how would Simon describe his sound?
“Catchy songs, with meaningful lyrics. Each song tells a story people can relate to. In a nutshell, good old fashioned pop!”
Simon performs both covers and original material and has made a name for himself from humble beginnings playing pubs, clubs and weddings.
“What I love more than anything is the performance,” Simon said. “For me, getting up on stage is the greatest feeling in the world. When I saw Robbie Williams, a big influence of mine, play Knebworth I knew that's what I wanted to do.”
Simon William is live at The Monaco Ballroom on Friday March 18. For more information contact From Me 2 You on 01942 522234.