The father of a boy who collapsed and died while out jogging said the launch of a trust in his son's name was the "first sign of light" since his death.

Teenager Joe Humphries was fit and healthy when he collapsed minutes from his home in Rothley in October.

The 14-year-old was the victim of sudden arrythmic death syndrome (Sads) – the adult version of cot death.

His family created the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust to promote awareness of the condition in the city and county. Joe's parents, Steve and Angela, and sister, Lauren, launched the trust at an event at Joe's old school, De Lisle College, Loughborough, yesterday.

Steve, a former Leicester City goalkeeper, said: "It was certainly a day of mixed emotions.

"A month ago to the day I was stood in the same hall for a memorial service for Joe and then, a month later, for the launch, we were back and there was that first sign of light and hope that we can turn this disaster into something positive."

A video which features tributes from Joe's friends, photographs, and videos of Joe with friends, was played at the launch.

In the tribute, one friend said: "He was really kind and gentle and he wanted to just help everyone out."

Another added: "He was so easy to laugh with. He just made me laugh and made things funny even if they weren't."

Actor Tom Holland, who plays Lucas in the film The Impossible was at the launch.

He is Joe's cousin's cousin and spent the day with him at Thorpe Park just two days before he died.

The 16-year-old, from London, said: I knew nothing about the condition (Sads) before.

"I think it is really important that we support the trust and make sure that people are aware."

For more information about the trust visit:

www.jhmt.org.uk

To see Joe's friends's tribute video visit:

www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk

Roadworks to look out for in Leicester include the following work, starting this week:

Infirmary Road: footway improvements. Lane restrictions in place near junction with Pelham Street tomorrow only.

Gervas Road: layby work. Road closed from Monday.

Darley Street: traffic calming. Road closed between Mere Road and Melbourne Road from Monday. Diversions in place.

On-going works in the city include:

Humberstone Gate East: carriageway and footpath improvements. No right turn into Humberstone Gate East from Charles Street, eastbound lane closed from Charles Steet to Clarence Lane. Diversions. Bus stops on the north side of Humberstone Gate East will be out of use. Affected services will use stops on the south side of Humberstone Gate East and nearby stops in Charles Street.

Woodgate: water main work. Lane closures as required before Groby Road corner. Inbound bus stop at Aldi will be out of use during these works.

Fosse Road South: gas main work. Three-way temporary signals between Shaftsbuty Avenue and Cherryleas Drive.

Greenacre Drive: gas main work. Road closed from Coleman Road. Diversions along Coleman Road, Goodwood Road and Ambassador Road.

Silver Street: footway and carriageway resurfacing. Road closed except for deliveries.

Newarke Street: experimental lane closure. One-lane closed between the Magazine and Pocklingtons Walk.

Parker Drive: gas main work. 24-hour temporary signals in use at junction with Babingly Drive.

Contact Area Traffic Control on 0116 254 0000 or visit:

www.leicester.gov.uk/travel

NHS staff are gearing up for a collective day of action to show how even small changes can make a difference to others.

Doctors, nurses, and clinicians are among those who have pledged to improve or change something in their work practices on March 13.

The "change day" started as an idea by paediatric doctor Damian Roland, at Leicester Royal Infirmary, but is now being rolled out across the NHS.

So far, 92,000 pledges have been received from NHS staff across the country. It's hoped this will rise to 650,000 by next week.

Pledges range from smiling a little more at work, to making sure patients are treated as individuals and referred to by their name, rather than a bed they may have ben assigned to.

Dr Roland said: "The idea came out of a discussion I had with some medical colleagues and spiraled from there.

"Initially, it was only to include junior staff, but we decided that if we really wanted to galvanise change and improvement, then it had to include everyone.

"We set the target of 65,000 because it reflected 1,000 pledges for very year the NHS has been around – a total of 65 years. Clearly we smashed that, so we set a new one.

"At least 100 pledges have come from staff at Leicester's hospitals so far, but we know that will rise considerably over the next few days.

"The NHS is a fantastic organisation and there are a lot of people working hard to make it that way."

Dr Roland's pledge is to taste the children's medicine he often prescribes to young patients.

He added: "We know they don't always taste the best so I hope it helps me to understand why mums and dads might have problems getting their children to take it in the first place."

He also features in a promotional video urging others in the NHS to make a pledge.

Bekki Randle, a patient information advisor at Glenfield Hospital, deals with complaints.

She has pledged to make sure she treats individuals with as much empathy as possible.

She said: "Understanding concerns of patients and relatives is important. It doesn't cost the trust anything to make sure we treat them with the right empathy and that's reflected in our manner and attitude towards them.

"I want to ensure I'm a friendly face that they can talk to about any issues they may have."

Those who wish to make a pledge online can do so at:

www.changemodel.nhs.uk/ changeday.

Mercury readers have been sending in pictures of the wealth of wonderful wildlife that is right at home in their gardens.

John Brown, of Rowlatts Hill, Leicester, sent us in photos of a robin and blue tit after our call for people to submit pictures of wildlife in their gardens.

He said: "The photos were taken in my garden, which is not only in a built-up area but also very small, about five metres by five metres.

"It shows that if you put bird-food out on a regular basis you will get visitors."

Valerie and David Noakes, whose Enderby home backs on to Jubilee Park, provide a bird buffet containing different diets for different species – with hand-crafted small-mesh-protected feeders made by David to deter thieving squirrels.

Apart from the female great spotted woodpecker photographed by Valerie, their garden also attracts gold finches and gold crests, Europe's smallest native bird.

David said: "The woodpeckers come every day. I make my own food mixes to cater for the type of birds, using crushed sunflower hearts, meal worms and moistened down with sunflower oil.

"The trouble we have with feeding the birds isn't with squirrels, but sparrowhawks which come in all the time to prey on the others."

He said they also get the occasional visiting mink from the river but had never had any problem with them.

Another wildlife haven drew Johnny Wesson, 83, to move to Leicestershire two-and-a-half years ago to live in Anstey, near Bradgate Park.

He managed to take this photo of a robin feeding its chicks in a tractor shed at St Margaret's Bowling Club, in Birstall.

"It was a bit of a cheat. I had to hide, video the robin with a maggot in its beak and took the photo from the footage."

"Bradgate Park is a fantastic place to take photos.

"One of the stags is very obliging. He just about poses for you."

E-mail pictures of what is in your garden to:

picturedesk@leicestermercury. co.uk

Add your name, where you live and your contact details.

To see more of our readers's pictures, visit:

www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk

Pupils all over the county were treated to a taste of something a little different yesterday as International School Meals Day inspired kitchens to cook up creative cuisine.

School chefs were busy creating a variety of alternative meals for youngsters, with Chinese, Indian and Mexican dishes on the menus.

About 120 pupils at King Richard III Infant School, in Andrewes Street, Leicester, tucked into a specially-prepared Chinese lunch of noodles, chicken and veg as part of the national day to promote healthy eating at home and at school.

Shanae Newton-Robbins, six, was one of the children testing the cuisine.

"I like the noodles," she said. "I like the sweetcorn, too. It's nice to have something a bit different."

Staff at the school decorated the dining room with traditional Chinese artwork and included a dragon's head to add to the Oriental flavour.

It was a break from the usual menu, which includes sausage and bean bake, lamb lasagne and fish cakes.

Six-year-old Imaad Parvez said: "Our school dinners are nice, but I don't usually have Chinese food at home."

Head teacher Jenny Barrett said it was important to give the youngsters something different.

"We're a very multicultural school and something like this promotes other food and other countries, so that's positive," she said.

"We've done this once before, when we had Indian food. The cooks are great – it was their idea to have a go at Chinese this year.

"I love Chinese food and I'll occasionally have a school dinner – so I think today might be one of those days."

Other Leicester schools taking part included Soar Valley College which had a Day at the Seaside menu; Mellor Community Primary School, in Checketts Road, which served Mexican dishes, and Bridge Junior School, in Mere Close, which had an Indian theme.

Northfield House Primary School, near Gipsy Lane, had a clean plate day, with each pupil who finished their lunch donating £1 towards a clean water project.

International School Meals Day is open to all schools in the UK and USA.

The event is aimed at celebrating food and promoting healthy living.

Leicester City are offering supporters a special ticket deal for the Friday night visits of Millwall and Birmingham City to the King Power Stadium.

Seven of City's home games, which were originally scheduled to kick off at 3pm on a Saturday, have been re- arranged because of television coverage, including the visits of the Lions and the Blues.

Chief executive Susan Whelan said the club had been powerless to block the rescheduling of games.

"It is testament to the success we have enjoyed on the pitch this season that so many of our games have proved attractive to an international television audience," she said.

"But we appreciate that these fixtures being moved will have caused disruption for a number of our supporters, particularly our loyal season- ticket holders.

"Due to the Football League's central television contract, the club is powerless to prevent these fixture changes.

"But we felt a gesture such as this was appropriate as a 'thank you' to the supporters, and in recognition of the disruptions it has caused our fans."

City are offering a special ticket for both games, which is priced from £30 for adults, £20 for under-18s, £5 for under-12s and free for under-eights.

Season Ticket holders can take one family member or friend to either the Millwall or Birmingham City game for free. Tickets must be booked 72 hours in advance.

City take on Millwall on March 29, before hosting Birmingham on April 12.

Leicester Riders go in search of their second title of the season today when they take on Sheffield Sharks in the BBL Trophy Final at Glasgow's Emirates Arena (3.30).

Unlike the final in January or even the play-off final last May, when Riders took on Newcastle Eagles on both occasions, they will head into this encounter as favourites against a Sharks side who are 22-points behind them in the BBL Championship table.

"I don't pay attention to that at all," said Rob Paternostro. "When you go into a final everybody thinks they have a great shot to win.

"The last two finals we were in we felt the same way as we do now, which is we have to play well on the day to win.

"It doesn't matter who you are playing in a final, when you get there you are going to have to perform on the day to win.

"We're going into this game knowing we have to play at a high level, there is no doubt about that.

"We have the same approach as we did in Birmingham against Newcastle, the same exact feeling as a team. Everyone understands how we have to play to win."

The Jelson Homes DMU-backed Riders have beaten Sheffield four times this season, all by double-figures and three times by 20-points or more.

However, while the most recent of those games finished 72-51, for the first three quarters it was very much in the balance before Riders pulled away in the last 12 minutes.

Either side of that defeat last month, the Sharks won five games as they bolstered their play-off credentials and reached this final.

"I think they have improved over the last two months," said Paternostro. "When you look at their personnel there is a lot of talent on the floor, but it's not just that, they have a good balance of inside and outside guys.

"The other thing they possess is veteran players who have been in these types of games before and that is really important."

Part of that experience includes several members of the 2011 Cup-winning squad when the Sharks stunned the BBL with a 93-66 thumping of Mersey, who were then league leaders and probably bigger favourites than Riders are today.

Sheffield's fortunes this season have tended to fluctuate with their three-point shooting.

When they are efficient from behind the arc they have the ability to put enough points on the board to win games. But when they struggle with their threes, their offence splutters.

That will be a focus for Paternostro and his team, as will be stopping Sheffield from getting free efforts from 15 feet.

He said, "We always key on making every shot difficult for the opponent, whether that's from the three-point line or the interior.

"Our message continues to be, especially after what happened last weekend, to keep teams off the free-throw line."

Riders: Okoro, Couisnard, Stewart, Sullivan, Calvo, Hopkins, Taylor, Anderson, Washington, Lamble, Haggith, Gould, Dawes, Maynard, Losonsky, Rowe.

Sharks: Brownell, Gordon, Williams, Holmes, Lewis, Gachette, Tuck, Babalola, Jemison, Sing, Bridge.

Detectives have released CCTV pictures of a man they want to trace in connection with a series of armed robberies – including one at a bookies in Gipsy Lane, Leicester, this week.

The four-county investigation is linking eight robberies at betting shops in Northamptonshire, Hertfordshire, West Sussex and Leicester during the past month.

The Leicester robbery took place on Wednesday at Ladbrokes, in Gipsy Lane, when man entered the shop at about 1.40pm with what is believed to have been a gun.

He handed the cashier a carrier bag and demanded money.

In each of the crimes the offender is black, between 5ft 5in and 6ft and wore a dark hoodie.

Detective Inspector Mark Pattison said: "We have released images of a man who we are keen to locate in relation to this series of armed robberies.

"We would urge him to make contact with us and for anyone with any information to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101 and quote Operation Needle.

"Thankfully, no-one was hurt in any of these incidents. However, they have been extremely traumatic for the cashiers and the businesses have lost money.''

Leicester City still believe they can make this season a successful one, says manager Nigel Pearson.

City's challenge for an automatic promotion spot has faltered in recent weeks as they have slipped to eight points behind the top two ahead of today's visit of strugglers Sheffield Wednesday, to the King Power Stadium.

However, Pearson said the players were still very positive about their promotion prospects, and he said he has complete faith in his squad.

"The players know I believe in them every day we work together," he said. "That is not in question.

"We have to make sure we go out and perform. I think for the most part we have done.

"We have hit some exceptional heights this year and, when we have not quite been at our best, we have still won some good games, like Burnley away.

"The spirit the lads showed on Tuesday to get back into the game against Leeds was very, very good."

With only 11 games remaining City, know they cannot afford any more slip-ups, starting with the visit of the Owls.

"Every game is a must win as far as I am concerned," said Pearson.

"It doesn't matter if it is August, September or whatever month, it doesn't matter. There is a disproportionate emphasis on games when the games left start to diminish. We have to deal with that.

"Whatever happens out there it is about winning the game and I don't care how we do that. I would love us to play very well and win, but I don't mind any win."

Pearson has been given one objective this season, promotion, and he said the club's owners are fully behind him and the squad.

"They have been great, very supportive," he said. "I know what I have to do and the team knows what they have to do.

"The owners haven't just invested the financial aspect, they have also invested time and energy trying to get the infrastructure at the club right.

"Vichai (Srivaddhanaprabha, the chairman )is a quiet man who wants the club to be successful.

"I want to make sure I do everything I can to bring success to this football club."

More than 27,000 children in Leicester and Leicestershire have special educational needs, which can range from mild behavioural problems to severe disabilities.

Last week in Parliament, MPs debated the Children and Families Bill, which proposes significant changes to the system of support available to these children.

Reform and improvement is urgently required.

All too often, families find themselves at breaking point, battling to get the help their children depend on and deserve. This can cause them great stress and anxiety.

Under the current system, children with the most severe educational needs get a special assessment and a detailed plan of support, known as a "statement".

However, most children who need help have mild or moderate needs, such as dyslexia or minor disabilities, and do not require a statement.

At present, these children get extra support either at school or from a specialist, such as an educational psychologist, under the school action and School Action Plus programmes.

I am very concerned that these children – almost 10,000 in Leicester alone – could be left without the help they need because the Children and Families Bill scraps school action programmes.

This will leave many parents desperately worried that their child's needs will no longer be adequately met.

A constituent from Thurcaston Park came to see me about the problems she experienced getting help for her son, who is thought to have dyslexia.

Even though he does not qualify for a statement, we were able to get him access to a wide variety of additional support, including extra reading classes and a specialist spelling group.

This support was vital for Sean, as it is for many other children like him.

I want to see these services protected and enhanced in future so children with special educational needs can get on and do well at school, and in later life, too.

Unfortunately, the Government has failed to spell out what – if anything – will replace the school action programmes, leading to widespread concerns that these crucial services are under threat.

This comes at a time when local councils are already suffering from a shortage of resources and struggling to cope with the numbers of children who need help.

With council budgets cut by a third, specialist services such as children's centres or speech and language therapists will inevitably suffer further.

My Labour colleagues and I have called for a national framework of minimum standards which would guarantee all children the right to decent services from their local councils.

So far, the Government has refused to back our proposal, which will only serve to increase the postcode lottery experienced by families up and down the country.

The Children and Families Bill presents a great opportunity to deliver real and lasting improvement for children with special educational needs and their families.

As the Bill goes through Committee in the coming weeks, my Labour colleagues and I will continue to fight to ensure that every child gets the support they need to realise their full potential.

If the Six Nations has done anything positive for clubs like Leicester Tigers, it has given up-and-coming stars a chance to shine.

One such player who has benefited from the absence of their international crusaders is Sam Harrison.

The 22-year-old scrum-half has played in every game since Tigers' clash with London Wasps in January, and has flourished with the club's first-choice No.9, Ben Youngs, on England duty.

Harrison is grabbing every opportunity with both hands.

"Any time you play, you are grateful for getting the nod and being able to get on the pitch," he said.

"Thankfully, I've been able to play most of the games recently, which I've really enjoyed.

"Obviously, a couple of the

results haven't been enjoyable (Tigers' defeats to Saracens and Harlequins) but it is more experience for me and it can only be good for me.

"There are not many better environments in world rugby than Welford Road.

"It's massive for me every week that I play, and I am learning more especially with the coaching staff, Cockers, Matty O'Connor and Paul Burke."

Harrison said it is not just the coaching staff that help his game.

"I only have to look around the dressing room to see the quality of players and people to talk to," he said.

"I think any player needs someone they look to as a sort of role model.

"But I wouldn't say there is just one person in the team though, there are lots of people, like Geordan Murphy, who may not play in my position but he is still very good at giving advice.

"It is massive to have people in the squad like that who are obviously hugely experienced.

"Youngsy will give me tips, and I will give him tips. He is obviously very experienced at the top level, he has got a very good head on him to pass down knowledge and that is very good for me."

Tigers are currently on a break, with their next game not until March 23, by which time the internationals will be back among their ranks.

So, is Harrison looking to keep hold of the No.9 shirt even with Youngs back in the first-team frame?

"I want to play, as anyone does," he said. "Each game I play, I've just got to give it my all and there is nothing other than that I can do.

"That is what I have been doing for a couple of years now – I've been enjoying it when I've been playing and, when I'm not, I've been concentrating on trying to get into a position where I am playing.

"Youngsy is a great player, he is one of the best nines in the world, so I would be honoured to be compared with him."

They may live on opposite sides of the world, but brave youngsters Matthew and Jack have formed a special bond via the internet after a campaign to raise awareness about organ donation.

Now, the little boys have spoken to each other for the first time – live on live on Australian TV.

Seven-year-old Matthew Pietrzyk, of Glenfield, was born with a rare genetic disorder which has damaged his kidneys, and is now in desperate need of a transplant.

Mum Nicola started a Facebook campaign to find a living donor and raise awareness of organ donation three weeks ago.

As reported in The Mercury last week, the family then received a touching video message from a five-year-old named Jack, who lives on the Gold Coast, in Queensland, Australia, and had a kidney transplant himself last year.

TV bosses at Seven Network in Sydney saw the story and contacted the Mercury to bring the youngsters together via a live satellite link from Matthew's playroom at home.

About 300,500 viewers watched the youngsters speak to each other for the first time on Thursday night.

Matthew told Jack – who could not stop waving at the camera – how much his video message of support had meant to him.

"It meant to me really a lot because it might get me a kidney," said the youngster, who has to endure daily dialysis treatments. "It was great, it was very special."

Jack, who was in the studio in Australia with mum Lizzy and dad Darryl, answered: "I did it because I wanted him to get a new kidney."

The live interview on Australia's most-watched breakfast show aired at 8.12am – after 9pm for a yawning Matthew here in the UK.

Darryl took the opportunity to offer support to the Pietrzyk family.

"Hang in there – there's light at the end of the tunnel," he said,

"We know exactly where you're coming from and we're right here supporting you and thank you for the awareness you are raising, because you have touched hearts across the world."

Speaking after the TV appearance, Nicola said: "I can't believe that three weeks ago I made a Facebook page on a whim, and here we are doing a world exclusive interview in Australia. It's madness, really.

"I'm so proud of what has been done so far and so happy for what it must be doing for organ donation in Australia – I just wish we could do the same here in the UK.

"I have family over there who say Matthew and Jack are on the front pages of the national newspapers, and on the radio, and the first story on the news.

"It's really overwhelming, in a way."

Matthew was born with a syndrome which means his kidneys get rid of protein, through his urine, that would usually transport fluids around his body. He had to have both his kidneys removed.

The youngster is on the national waiting list for a donor, alongside hundreds of other children. His family and friends have been tested as potential donors and while six share his blood group, none are a suitable match.

Nicola launched her Facebook page – A million likes for a kidney for Matthew last month, and it has so far attracted 78,672 "likes".

In Jack's video, he said: "I got my new kidney after a whole year and, even though I am little, I remember how hard it was living on the machine and having injections every day until my new kidney came."