Latest news with #TomDavies
The Sun
03-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Terrified mum shares the chilling nursery snap of her toddler that saved his life – but can you spot the hidden killer?
LAURA Davies claims a photo of her son playing at nursery "saved his life" by revealing a potentially fatal hidden cancer. The picture caught a strange cloudiness in two-year-old Sidney's eye, which was actually a sign of retinoblastoma, a rare eye cancer that can affect young children. 6 6 6 "I've got to be honest I probably wouldn't have noticed it [without the picture]," the 39-year-old mum-of-two from Flintshire, said. Laura said her husband Tom Davies, 39, first noticed a strange cloudiness in their two-year-old son Sidney's left eye in April when it hit the light. "He was basically sat in his high chair opposite the French doors in our kitchen and my husband was like, 'his eye doesn't look right," she recalled. The mum searched online for information relating to cloudy eyes but all that came up was information about cataracts so she just made a mental note to keep tabs. But when Sidney's nursery took a snap of him as he enjoyed a day in the sensory room, the camera flash revealed his left eye was cloudy compared to his right. "It was almost like it was reflecting the light, it's really hard to describe. It was like his eye wasn't there, it was like a mirror," Laura said. After a visit to her GP and Specsavers, Sidney was eventually referred to Birmingham Children's Hospital and had an ultrasound. He was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a cancer which starts in the retina, the inner layer in the back of the eye, on May 19. Doctors diagnose around 40 to 50 children with retinoblastoma in the UK every year, according to Cancer Research UK. Almost 99 to 100 out of every 100 children diagnosed survive for five years or more after they are diagnosed. "It was horrendous," the mum said. "We were so worried." Docs decided the best course of action would be to remove the eye and brave Sidney underwent the op on 27 May. Initially this really concerned Laura. "All the thoughts run through your head of how they are going to cope in school and kids are horrible and things like that. "But I was also looking at it [the eye] and thinking, 'I just want it out' because you could literally see it [the cancer]." She said it was "so scary" to watch their young so endure so many operations. "I think we went into mum and dad mode," she explained. "You kind of just get through it. 6 6 "Afterwards when we found out that he was okay and he didn't need any chemotherapy then it all hit me if I'm honest. "I burst out crying [when he got the all clear]. It was such a relief." Sidney currently has a temporary plastic shell fitted in his eye socket called a conformer but is undergoing another operation in July to have a prosthetic eye fitted. Laura said docs also discovered Sidney's retina was torn and had come away from the back of his eye, which can cause vision loss. They were not sure how long it had been since he had been able to see out of his left eye. "I don't know whether it was bothering him before, whether it was blurry. We'll never know really," the mum said. 'A new lease of life' The tot will have to wear protective goggles when he plays sport but other than that Laura hopes her son will be largely unaffected by the prosthetic. "In terms of the effects on him it's been quite minimal because he's already dealt with that himself, not being able to see out of that eye," she explained. "He will go down the steps very carefully unlike my other son who is older and who's like a bull at a gate. "You sort of think back and think, 'maybe that's why?' but he's a happy boy, he showed no signs of this. We didn't notice that he couldn't see out of his eye." She added: "It's funny because people have said when they see him on the school run and things that he's got a new lease of life. Laura's husband is taking part in a sponsored walk up and down Moel Famau, the highest hill in the Clwydian Range, 12 times in 12 hours with family and friends to raise money for Birmingham Children's hospital. The have launched a JustGiving page, wich has already raised £955 of it's £1000 target. The distance will be around 40 miles in total and Laura said she and their two children are planning to join him for the last summit. Symptoms of retinoblastoma Most children with retinoblastoma seem fine. But two common signs that parents first notice in their child are that: they have a white glow or white reflection in the centre of their eye (pupil) - this is also known as leukocoria their eyes are not looking in the same direction (a squint) - also known as strabismus The pupil might look white, like a cat's eye reflecting light. This is sometimes noticed in photos when a flash is used. The pupil appears white rather than the typical red colour. Other less common symptoms might include: you or the school noticing your child can't see properly inflammation and reddening of their eye uncontrollable movement of their eye from side to side (nystagmus) Children do not usually complain of any pain. In very few cases, a child might be referred to a specialist children's doctor (paediatrician) because they are: not gaining weight developing normally During their tests, the abnormal retinoblastoma gene usually shows up in a blood test. Specsavers Broughton Park Ophthalmic director Kelly Gibson said: "We're incredibly grateful that Laura attended with her son, Sidney, to see us after being alerted by a concern from his nursery. "It's reassuring to know that I was able to ensure he received the urgent care he needed. "We're relieved that his condition was caught early, and he received treatment in a timely manner. "Stories like this are a powerful reminder of how important it is to attend for an eye examination if you ever notice a change or feel that something isn't quite right with your eyes. "It also highlights the importance of eye examinations for children, whether it is due to a concern or a routine review, we look after all ages. "An eye examination can sometimes uncover signs of more serious health conditions, and acting early can make all the difference." 6
BBC News
27-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hull KR beat Wakefield to extend Super League lead
Betfred Super LeagueHull KR (12) 34Tries: Davies 3, Burgess, Lewis, Hiku Goals: Mourgue 5Wakefield (10) 10Tries: Johnstone, Hall Goal: Jowitt Hull KR extended their lead at the top of Super League to six points with a stylish 34-10 victory against Wakefield Trinity at Craven Park.A hat-trick from Tom Davies and one each from Joe Burgess, Mikey Lewis and Peta Hiku earned Rovers a 15th league win from 16 matches to continue their astonishing full-back Arthur Mourgue added five goals for the Robins who stopped their opponents scoring in the second tries from Wakefield's Tom Johnstone and Corey Hall had briefly given the visitors a narrow lead, but they were outclassed after the to follow. Hull KR: Morgue; Davies, Hiku, Broadbent, Burgess; Lewis, May; Sue, Litten, Hadley, Whitbread, Martin, MinchellaInterchanges: Luckley, Tanginoa, Brown, LeylandSin-bin: Lewis (54 mins)Wakefield: Jowitt; Walmsley, Hall, Pratt, Johnstone; Trueman, Lino; Pitts, Smith, Faatili, Nikotemo, Scott, GriffinInterchanges: Hood, Vagana, Rourke, CroftReferee: Jack Smith.
Powys County Times
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Davies duo snapped up as Berriew plot assault on silverware
BERRIEW Football Club has continued to strengthen with two signings. The Rhiewsiders welcome striker Richard Davies back to Haydn Williams Field from Ardal North East League club Kerry while also welcoming the arrival of midfielder Tom Davies from MMP Central Wales League North rivals Abermule. Manager Dave Jones said: "I am delighted to have secured the services of Richard Davies and Tom Davies for the new season. "Rich is someone I of course know well from my last time at Berriew, and he will guarantee goals at this level. "Tom was also one of my main targets this summer and is certainly one of the best midfield players in the league." Defender Jonathan Jones and goalkeeper Grant Dawson have also signed for the villagers as Jones bids to bring success to the club following his return to the hot seat this summer. He said: "Our hope for the new season is to be challenging at the top of the league and in the cup competitions, and these signings along with Jonathan Jones add some much needed experience to the good young players who were already at the club.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lenders follow Bank of England and hold mortgage rates
Most lenders opted to maintain their mortgage deals as the Bank of England (BoE) decided to hold interest rates on Thursday, but experts expect more sub-4% offers in the coming weeks. The average rate for a two-year fixed mortgage stands at 4.89%, while five-year fixed deals average 5.19%, according to data from Uswitch. The Bank of England has kept interest rates at 4.25% amid inflation fears, delivering a blow to homeowners who were expecting a relief in their mortgage. However, industry experts are not giving up hope yet. Tom Davies, group financial services managing director at LRG, said: "For prospective buyers, the key question shouldn't be, 'Will the rate fall again soon?' but, 'Can I afford to buy now, and is the right property available?'. Today that answer is more often yes than no. Buyers who wait for the perfect moment may find it never arrives — or that it passes them by. "What matters now is a functioning, competitive mortgage market with realistic pricing and good choice. That's a strong foundation: a good environment for anyone looking to move or invest." Matt Thompson, head of sales at estate agency Chestertons, said: 'Some buyers paused their property search in the hope for another interest rate cut and a more varied selection of mortgage products but higher-than-expected inflation has diminished those odds for the time being. "We have recently seen some lenders increase the cost of their fixed-rate deals but there are still sub-4% options available which will encourage some house hunters to resume their search over the coming weeks.' Read more: UK house price growth halves after stamp duty break end The primary inflation measure, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), stood at 3.4% in the 12 months to May, a slowdown from the previous month. However, price increases are still well above the BoE's 2% target. This week among the major lenders only Halifax reduced rates, as most banks decided not to touch their mortgage deals. HSBC (HSBA.L) has a 4.01% rate for a five-year deal, unchanged from the previous week. For those with a Premier Standard account with the lender, this rate is 3.98%. Looking at the two-year options, the lowest rate is 3.99% with a £999 fee, also unchanged from the previous week. Both cases assume a 60% loan-to-value (LTV) mortgage, meaning buyers need to have at least 40% for a deposit. HSBC offers 95% LTV deals, meaning you only need to save for a 5% deposit. However, the rates are much higher, with a two-year fix at 5.05% or 4.89% for a five-year fix. This is because their financial situation and deposit size determine the rate someone can get. The larger the deposit, the lower the LTV, allowing buyers to access better deals because lenders consider them less risky. NatWest's (NWG.L) five-year deal is 3.95% with a £1,495 fee, untouched from the previous week. The cheapest two-year fix deal is 3.2%, again the same as last week. You'll need at least a 40% deposit to qualify for the rates in both cases. At Santander (BNC.L), a five-year fix is 4.08%% for first-time buyers, the same as before. It has a £999 fee, assuming a 40% deposit. Read more: Number of million-pound homes for sale in Britain doubles since 2019 For a two-year deal, customers can also secure a 4.01% offer, with the same £999 fee, again unchanged. However, the lender has cut a raft of deals for first-time buyers: 90% LTV two-year fixed rate with a £0 fee and £250 cashback. Rate reduced by 0.15% to 4.73%. 95% LTV two-year fixed rate with a £0 fee and £250 cashback. Rate reduced by 0.14% to 5.00%. 90% LTV five-year fixed rate with a £999 fee and £250 cashback. Rate reduced by 0.10% to 4.47%. 95% LTV five-year fixed rate with a £0 fee and £250 cashback. Rate reduced by 0.22% to 4.85%. The new pricing is available to all customers, whether they are applying via a broker or directly, under Santander's "no dual pricing" pledge. Barclays (BARC.L) was the first among major lenders to bring back under-4% deals and currently has a five-year fix at 3.99%, unchanged from last week. For "premier" clients, this rate drops to 3.98%. The lowest for two-year mortgage deals is 3.97%, also unchanged. Barclays last month launched a mortgage proposition to help new and existing customers access larger loans when purchasing a home. The initiative, known as Mortgage Boost, enables family members or friends to effectively "boost" the amount that can be borrowed toward a property without needing to lend or gift money directly or provide a larger deposit. Under the scheme, a borrower's eligibility for a mortgage can increase significantly by including a family member or friend on the application. For example, an individual with a £37,500 annual income and a £30,000 deposit might traditionally be able to borrow up to £168,375, enabling them to purchase a home priced at around £198,375. However, with Mortgage Boost, the total borrowing potential can rise substantially if a second person, such as a parent, joins the application. In this case, if the second applicant also earns £37,500 a year, the combined income could push the borrowing limit to £270,000, enabling the buyer to afford a home worth up to £300,000. Nationwide's (NBS.L) lowest mortgage rate for first-time buyers is 4.24% for a five-year fix, which is the same as before. First-time buyers are currently looking at 4.04% for a two-year fix, again no changes from the previous week. Read more: Average UK house asking price drops by more than £1,000 The lender has adjust its mortgage affordability calculation by reducing stress rates by 0.75 and 1.25 percentage points, helping applicants borrow more, whether buying a first home, moving, or remortgaging. Applicants can borrow, on average, £28,000 more; however, in some remortgage cases, customers could borrow up to £42,600 more. Nationwide also reduced its standard stress rate and the rate applied to eligible first-time buyers and home movers fixing their deal for at least five years. Halifax, the UK's biggest mortgage lender, offers a five-year rate of 4.03% (also 60% LTV), untouched from last week. The lender, owned by Lloyds (LLOY.L), offers a two-year fixed rate deal at 3.97%, with a £999 fee for first-time buyers, lower than the previous 4%. It also offers a 10-year deal with a mortgage rate of 4.78%. Read more: How to choose where to live as you get older Halifax has enhanced its five-year fixed mortgage products by increasing borrowing capacity. This improvement allows borrowers to access up to £38,000 more, enabling them to secure larger mortgages based on individual incomes. Rachel Springall, finance expert at Moneyfacts, said: "The flourishing choice of low-deposit mortgages will no doubt be welcomed by borrowers looking to remortgage or are a first-time buyer. "The government has been clear that it wants lenders to do more to boost UK growth, and so a rise in product availability for aspiring homeowners is a healthy step in the right direction." NatWest's currently offers some of the lowest rates, with a five-year fix coming in at 3.95% and a two-year deal at 3.92%. However both require a hefty 40% deposit. The average UK house price is £297,781, so a 40% deposit equals about £120,000. A growing number of homeowners in the UK are opting for 35-year or longer mortgage terms, with a significant rise in older borrowers stretching their repayment periods well into their 70s. Read more: UK inflation slows to 3.4% in May as transport costs ease Lender April Mortgages offers buyers the chance to borrow up to six times their income on loans fixed for five to 15 years, from a deposit of 5%. Both those buying alone and those buying with others can apply for the mortgage. As part of the independent Dutch asset manager DMFCO, the company offers interest rates starting at 5.20% and an application fee of £195. Skipton Building Society has also said it would allow first-time buyers to borrow up to 5.5 times their income to help more borrowers get on the housing ladder. Leeds Building Society is increasing the maximum amount that first-time buyers can potentially borrow as a multiple of their earnings with the launch of a new mortgage range. Aspiring homeowners with a minimum household income of £40,000 may now be able to borrow up to 5.5 times their earnings. Mortgage holders and borrowers have faced record-high repayments in recent years, as the Bank of England's base rate has been passed on by banks and building societies. According to UK Finance, 1.3 million fixed mortgage deals are set to end in 2025. Many homeowners will hope the Bank of England acts quickly to cut rates more aggressively. At the same time, savers will likely root for rates to remain at or near their current levels. Read more: The pros and cons of getting a mortgage into your 70s How school fees can affect your mortgage borrowing Pros and cons of lifetime ISAs
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bank of England holds interest rates at 4.25% amid inflation fears
The Bank of England (BoE) has kept interest rates untouched at 4.25% amid the global uncertainty and surging food and oil prices. The decision had been widely anticipated by markets, particularly following inflation data for May showing prices rising 3.4% — well above the Bank's 2% target. Investors and economists saw little chance of a rate cut, especially with tensions in the Middle East escalating and pushing oil prices higher. Tom Davies, group financial services managing director at LRG, said: "The Bank of England's decision to hold the base rate at 4.25% comes as no surprise. After May's cut from 4.5%, the likelihood of back-to-back reductions had already faded in the face of persistent inflation, higher labour costs and geopolitical uncertainty." Indeed, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), led by governor Andrew Bailey, was expected to maintain a cautious tone even before the outbreak of conflict between Israel and Iran sent oil prices soaring by 8.5% in less than a week. Zara Nokes, global market analyst at JPMorgan Asset Management, said UK inflation is still 'uncomfortably high'. "Escalating tensions in the Middle East, and the upward pressure this is putting on oil prices, will only add to the Bank of England's concern about easing rates too quickly," she said. "The Monetary Policy Committee will face a tougher choice when meeting again in August, given the combination of still-sticky inflation and evidence that the labour market is quite clearly cooling. A deterioration in the labour market should, in theory, put downward pressure on inflation, but until there are clear signs of this in the hard data, the Bank should be careful not to claim victory over inflation quite yet, not least because of the uncertain geopolitical climate.' Read more: UK inflation slows to 3.4% in May as transport costs ease The UK economy contracted 0.3% in April, marking the sharpest monthly decline since 2023. Analysts cited the lingering effects of US president Donald Trump's trade tariffs and a temporary hit from the expiration of the stamp duty holiday. Despite four rate cuts over the past year, the BoE is proceeding cautiously after aggressive tightening through 2022 and 2023 to combat inflation. Markets currently expect two more 25 basis-point cuts by the end of 2025. Matthew Ryan, head of market strategy at Ebury, said: 'For now, we are sticking by our call for just two further cuts to the base rate between now and year-end, possibly in August and November, when the latest Monetary Policy Reports will be released. 'We don't believe that the MPC will entertain the idea of lowering rates more aggressively than that just yet." The Bank rate is a key reference point for borrowing and savings products across the UK, affecting everything from mortgage costs to interest on savings accounts. Kevin Mountford, co-founder of Raisin UK, warned of potential volatility in mortgage markets. 'This decision has wide implications for consumers. While Zoopla's House Price Index reported healthy housing sales in May, fixed rates look like they could become unsettled. Consumers looking to borrow should take advantage when they see a good option for them," he said. Read more: FTSE 100 LIVE: Stocks slip as Bank of England holds interest rates 'Any decision that has a financial impact for consumers, like buying a new home, is of course a big one and with a high cost of living showing little sign of ease, it can be easy to get stuck in the day to day. The current rates provide consumers with little reassurance but it is essential for people to take a step back and think about the bigger picture." Across the Atlantic, the US Federal Reserve opted to leave borrowing costs unchanged on Wednesday. The Fed left its outlook for interest rates this year unchanged, with its 'dot plot' indicating another two cuts. Seema Shah, of Principal Asset Management, said that decision was 'somewhat surprising'. She said: 'Any change in this year's dot plot would have been interpreted as a signal that the Fed has a clear plan about its future policy path, when actually the likely truth is that, with the economic outlook still very much shrouded in uncertainty, the Fed is unsure of how things will pan out.' However, some central banks are lowering borrowing costs. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) cut its interest rate to zero on Thursday in response to falling inflation and a stronger Swiss franc. The SNB reduced its policy rate from 0.25%, as had been expected by markets. Norway's central bank surprised markets today by announcing a quarter-point interest rate cut amid the 'uncertain' economic outlook. Norges Bank lowered borrowing costs from 4.5% to 4.25% — its first reduction in five years. Read more: Trending tickers: Alphabet, Amazon, Circle, Shell and Whitbread Bitcoin price steady above $105k as Trump mulls Iran strike Number of million-pound homes for sale in Britain doubles since 2019Sign in to access your portfolio
