Pick Me Up!

Taking a puff of my inhaler, I lined myself up at the starting line. In 2015, I was running the London Marathon for the first time. And running for Asthma + Lung UK, it was a charity close to my heart. Not only because I myself had been diagnosed with exercise induced asthma 30 years ago. But because I’d lost my pappa, Antonio, 85, to COPD on 25 January 2013. COPD was a progressive disease that meant Pappa’s airways were narrowing, making it difficult for him to breathe properly. Pappa had started smoking aged six, growing up in Naples, and didn’t quit until his 70s – it was likely this triggered the COPD. The disease was progressing slowly and as a proud Italian man, Pappa had always been very independent.…

We’re loving Eyes down, dabbers at the ready – because Gala Bingo has teamed up with Moonpig to create a fab range of limited-edition cards. Did you know that Brits get more joy from receiving a greeting card than they do from a text message? And one in five admit to keeping every card they’ve ever received. Well inspired by traditional bingo calls, there’s now a funny card for every occasion to help spread some joy. So from ‘doctor’s orders’ to ‘knock at the door’ and ‘baker’s bun’ – how good is your bingo lingo? • From £3.99, visit: moonpig.com Buy of the week The leaves are falling, the air is crisp and autumn is definitely in the air. So what are you waiting for? Time to give your home…

I like to have a laugh! Here I am on my 93rd birthday. Phil Gobey, Essex My daughter Zarah, nine, touching the top of the light house at Spurn Point. Isn’t she tall?! Jennifer Proswe, Hull My friends and I went on a trip to Marwell Zoo and we couldn’t resist posing for a silly photo! Megan Crocker, Basingstoke Oscar the cat thinks that the new table and bench set was bought just for him! Tina Vowles, Stroud If your letter makes Star Letter of the week, you will receive some beautiful blooms from Flying Flowers. With over 30 years’ experience of helping celebrate life’s special moments and FREE delivery by post, a gorgeous bouquet by Flying Flowers is a lovely way to celebrate sharing smiles and happiness. See flyingflowers.co.uk for more…

Serves: 8-10 Wake up and smell the coffee with this marbled banana and coffee cake from Camp Coffee – perfect paired with a cuppa. • See: campcoffeeclub.co.uk ◻ 100g butter, softened◻ 140g caster sugar◻ 2 large eggs◻ 140g self-raising flour◻ 1 tsp baking powder◻ 2 ripe bananas, mashed◻ 3 tbsps Camp Chicory & Coffee Essence 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease and line a 900g loaf tin. Whisk the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy, whisk in the eggs one at a time. 2 Mix the flour and baking powder, fold into the butter mixture, and then fold in the bananas. Divide the mixture into two. Add Camp Coffee to one half. 3 Add three spoonfuls of each mix alternatively to the base of the prepared tin.…

Sitting down on the sofa at my sister’s house party, a bloke across the room caught my eye. Laughing and joking, everyone was captivated by him. He was pretty easy on the eye, too. ‘Who’s that over there?’ I asked my sister. ‘That’s Calum,’ she replied. Later on in the evening we got chatting and I was just drawn to him. He really was the life and soul. We clicked straight away. Exchanging numbers at the end of the night, we carried on texting and from then on we were inseparable. We were only 17, but I felt like I’d found ‘the one’. Our relationship was a bit of a whirlwind, and when I fell pregnant a year later, it was certainly a shock. But once we both came round…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great prize from Addis. This classic 9.5l Sink Bowl is a kitchen essential! With a high-gloss finish and easy to clean, it can protect your sink at the very same time. Made from a durable material that is heat resistant up to 100°C, you don’t have to worry about putting hot pots and pans inside – perfect! For more ways to make your life easier, please visit: addis.co.uk The big chill I store cling film in the fridge as it’s easier to handle when it’s cold. Liz Tubby, Bergh Apton Buy in bulk I buy big bags of 5kg rice in supermarkets or independent shops. It’s much cheaper than buying the smaller packets. You don’t have to worry about running out…