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2020 is definitely the year which made us realise how important it is to think of others and those less well off.

While many of us now have the choice to spend Christmas with our loved ones, feasting on turkey and opening multiple gifts around the tree – many people will not have that option.

And so it was great to hear that leading gift retailer Thumbs Up has partnered with Great Ormond Street Hospital and The Salvation Army to create the 2020 Charity Gifting Appeal and donate a massive 2,000 presents to those who might not otherwise receive anything for Christmas.

To help them carry out their target Thumbs Up are asking people to contribute just £5 for postage and packaging.

The donation will see each individual receive a package full of presents worth £30.

You read that right people! All they’re asking is for £5 towards postage and packaging!

Times are hard, but if you feel you can help please visit thumbsup.com to choose from four different packs (Teen Girls 12-17, Teen Boys 12-17, Male or Female 18+).

Spread the love this Christmas (not Covid!).

Have I ever told you how much I love karaoke?

Well, those who know me well enough have long been in on this not-so-secret secret. So, when I got an invitation to the relaunch party for the Smithfield branch of Karaoke Box it was one I couldn’t accept quick enough. Come on cocktails, food AND karaoke – heaven!

Having roped in some colleagues and friends we headed to the venue near Smithfield meat market and took our pick of one of the 16 private karaoke rooms, which range from catering for groups of up to four and 30 people.

The rooms circle a spacious cocktail bar, but if you get too carried away with picking the next Nicki Minaj track you’re going to rap along to, then waitress service is available at the touch of a button.

Trust me, it is so easy to get carried away, with over 9000 tracks to choose from and being among your friends, there’s no big show or fear of making a fool of yourself in front of strangers.

One of my friends who came along is already planning our next visit back, as the great thing about the private rooms is that even people who don’t fancy taking the mike can still join in with the giggles!

 

12 Smithfield Street  City of London, EC1A 9LA

020 7329 9991

www.karaokebox.co.uk

She may be a gold medal winning Olympic athlete, but when it comes to parenting Jessica Ennis-Hill is just like any other mum.

Joined by her mother Alison Powell and presenter Gabby Logan to launch P&G’s #ThankYouMum at London’s Savoy hotel, Jessica revealed her one-year-old son Reggie keeps her going.

She said: “Reggie was my motivation at Beijing and he will definitely be again this year.”

Speaking as the 100 day countdown to Rio 2016 began, the sporting superstar hosted an afternoon tea event to mark the role her own mother has played in her success.

“It’s not until you become a mum that you kind of really understand everything… until you experience it first hand. You want to do everthing you possibly can to make sure your children get the best out of life. Reggie is just my 100 per cent number one focus.”

Jessica, 30, added: “I really don’t believe I would have been able to achieve any of my World, Olympic or European medals without the support and strength of my mum throughout my life.”

As part of the campaign P&G created a video titled ‘Strong’ (which you can watch here: www.supersavvyme.co.uk/tag/rio-2016-olympic-games) and have published ‘The Mum Report’ which details what it’s like to be a modern day mother.

And a massive ‘good luck’ to Jessica as she prepares for Rio. The yummy mummy is still deciding whether she’ll be bringing Reggie along for the ride but if he does sit this one out there’ll be lots of face-timing and photos promises grandma Alison!

Don’t worry, I’m not about to launch into a rant about the effect pregnancy has on your figure or discuss ‘birthing hips’! Instead this week I had the great opportunity to catch new Cuban dance production Ballet Revolución.

When an invitation dropped into my mailbox, it didn’t take long for me to decide my response – hot, bare-chested dancers flexing their toned limbs to the sounds of Ricky Martin and Shakira? – count me in!

The Sadler’s Wells production running at London’s Peacock Theatre is fairly far removed from any typical night at the ballet, but not completely, as these dancers clearly have the skills to compete with any top ballet company. And instead of pirouettes, tutus and scrapped back buns, it was more a case of pirouettes, hip thrusts, hotpants and dreadlocks to a soundtrack of Ricky Martin’s She Bangs and Shakira’s Hips Don’t Lie, not to mention some more recent hits such as Chris Brown’s Yeah 3x and Beyonce’s If I Were a Boy, performed by a talented live band.

The tempo of the production continued to pick up pace throughout the performance brilliantly showcasing the mix of ballet, contemporary and hip hop. By the end of the night, it was hard not to want to join in and shake a hip or two.

At the Peacock Theatre, London until May 19 – definitely worth booking a ticket!