We’ve had plenty of news to bring you from Preston over the past week.

From more coronavirus breaches, to teachers being told they are not yet eligible for the Covid vaccine, and vulnerable people receiving hampers in February half-term, there’s been a lot going on.

Here are five of the stories you may have missed.

Here for Humanity donate pancake packs to people in need

Here for Humanity Preston distributed pancake packs to people who visit their food banks to help them celebrate.

They aimed to give 100 parcels, containing ingredients to make around 1,000 pancakes.

They wanted to ensure Prestonians could enjoy pancake day without worrying about purchasing ingredients.

Here for Humanity are also hosting a competition which recipients of the parcels, and other Prestonians, can enter.

Read the full story here.

Muslim communities across Preston are being reminded that the Covid vaccination is halal

Muslim communities across Preston are being urged to take up the offer of the Covid-19 vaccination.

Qari Asim MBE, one of the UK’s leading Imams and trustee of the Light Foundation, has been helping to dispel any myths regarding the vaccine, encouraging Muslim communities to get vaccinated.

He said: “At the Light Foundation, we are promoting the take up of the vaccine. Like all faith leaders, I want to stress that taking the vaccine is a vital part of the solution to break the cycles of lockdown to be with our loved ones again.

“There is no religious reason for you not to take the vaccine. The covid vaccines administered in the UK are halal, permissible from Islamic perspective, and there should be no hesitation in taking them from a moral perspective.”

Read the full story here.

The Military have been praised for their efforts in rolling out rapid testing for Covid across Preston and Lancashire

The military have been praised for their efforts in rolling out the Covid-19 rapid testing programme for 194 businesses and organisations across Preston and Lancashire.

In December, the ‘UK Resilience Unit’, made up of 325 army service personnel from regiments across the country, began providing testing kits and training for large organisations and small local businesses.

In total, the unit carried out 33,232 tests with 455 positive results.

Read the full story here.

Young woman inspired by a poem at her uncle’s funeral raises over £600 for Rosemere Cancer Foundation

Rosemere Cancer Foundation have benefited from a £665 donation thanks to an apprentice engineer from Cottam, who raised funds in memory of her uncle.

Alicia Bagshaw took inspiration from a poem read at his funeral, and decided to thank Rosemere Cancer Centre for the treatment and care which was given to her uncle, Andy ‘Boo’ Boocock, following his diagnosis with lung cancer in August 2019.

After hearing a poem called ‘The Dash’ by Linda Ellis at his funeral, Alicia decided to show her appreciation of those who had gone the extra mile by asking her family and friends to sponsor her in her “Boo’s 10k Dash” – a 10k run.

Read the full story here.

The Kirkham teacher who is helping her pupils with their mental health via Instagram

Amber wanted to do something to help young people, their parents and teachers, not just at the school where she teaches – Carr Hill.

She created an Instagram page – Miss C, Mental Health Comes First – to inspire everybody.

She shares resources, top tips, and daily motivation for anyone who may need it.

You can search her on Instagram – miss.chauhan1998 

Read the full story here.