12 O 'Clock News Bulletin

Good afternoon, everyone! I'm Hannah, bringing you the latest updates on this beautiful day.

In local news, two fly-tippers are ordered to pay compensation after being caught red-handed dumping waste. Ionut Bancunlea, 33, and Adrian Bivolaru, 34, faced sentencing for four incidents of fly-tipping between June 2023 and February of this year. These acts occured on Fen End Road in Fen End, Solihull, Packington Lane in Maxstoke, Warwickshire, and Maxstoke Lane in Meriden. Their illegal activities came to an abrupt halt when residents intervened, blocking them in until authorities arrived.

In the world of art, a contemporary studio in Coventry is showcasing paintings, prints, and poetry crafted by neurodivergent and disabled artists. The Art Riot Collective aims to break barriers for these often marginalised groups, featuring the work of ten talented individuals.

A heartwarming story from Stourbridge: Two sisters, Donna Fox and Joanne Gill, have been commended by the NHS for their combined 87 donations of blood and plasma. Their dedication, visiting the Birmingham Plasma Donor Centre every three weeks on their days off, serves as an inspiring example. They're encouraging others to join them in supporting this truly brilliant cause.

Turning to education, primary schools across Birmingham are recieving support packages worth £97,000 to aid children struggling with reading. Bookmark Reading Charity is reaching out to 97 schools, offering books and resources while also seeking volunteers to assist children in honing their reading skills. CEO Emily Jack emphasises the importance of this program in bolstering schools most in need.

And now, onto a pressing issue: the ongoing crisis in UK care homes. Reports continue to underscore severe challenges, including underfunding, staff shortages, and concerns about quality of care. With an aging population and growing demand for services, experts stress the urgency of addressing these issues to safeguard the well-being of elderly residents.

That wraps up our 12 o'clock news. Enjoy the rest of your day, and I'll be back with more updates at 1 o'clock. Stay tuned!