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ITV News
11-06-2025
- Health
- ITV News
'My life's never been better' - recovering ketamine addict spreads message about dangers of drug
A teenager who was addicted to ketamine has told how his life was saved after watching a news report about a fellow addict. Danny Davies, 19, said the drug was destroying his body but he did not realise he needed help until he saw the story of another man who had turned his life around. The teenager from Colne had begun taking the class B drug recreationally when he was 16, but soon became addicted. "It started off smoking weed, and then when I tried ketamine it was like, it was completely different from anything else and it was just a feeling that it did - it makes you feel numb, its a tranquiliser isn't it. So I just loved taking it. "But it's just awful. It destroys your body so fast, faster than any other drug. "You can already think you're lonely and that just makes you even more lonely, it's horrible." Danny's mum had seen the story of Tom Ryde on ITV Granada Reports and encouraged him to seek help from the same addiction centre Elisha House in Colne. Tom, 24 who took ketamine for almost 10 years, shared his story to warn other young people of the dangers of the drug. Danny said watching Tom's recovery was inspirational: "So my mum was already struggling with me through my addiction. "I didn't want to be helped. I just wanted to use. And she seen that on the news and she showed me and I was like, well, good for him, you know? And I wasn't really and didn't really bother me. "She got in touch with Elisha House - the recovery home I'm in now. "I come in the first time just to satisfy my mum and then I got kicked out, you know, and it's fortunate enough for me they let me back because I'm back now, 77 days, and I accept that I'm an addict. "I just want a new way of life. I want a clean life. and I want to be able to spread the message as well like Tom did, because that's the reason I'm in here [Elisha House]." For Tom, life is now about taking one day at a time - and for those still in the midst of addiction, he has this simple message. "Just remember that you're not alone. And there is people out there to help you. "I'd rather have my mate cry on my shoulder and carry his coffin next week for this disease. Because it can kill you at any time, and it will get you wrapped up in yourself and make you do things that you don't want to do." What is Ketamine? Ketamine is synthetic drug used in the medical and veterinary practice and is generally administered as an anaesthetic or painkiller. It is described as a 'dissociative anaesthetic' as it makes the person who consumes it detach from their pain and the environment. The Class B drug has increased in popularity amongst young people and teenagers and has been described as a "party drug". Chronic Ketamine use can have adverse side effects including, unconsciousness, cognitive problems including amnesia and difficulty passing urine. Ketamine is broken down by the body and eliminated through urine and the toxic chemicals from the drug can affect bladders, leading to difficulties holding urine or even causing people to urinate blood. Inflammation of the bladder can also lead to irreversible scarring, that - if people continue to take ketamine - will leave them without any bladder function at all, and potentially having to use a stoma bag. It comes after councillors at Lancashire County Council have warned a 'ketamine crisis' is causing a surge in visits to A&E amongst those using it. At the first cabinet meeting since the local election, councillors said the growing popularity of ketamine, along with a number of other lethal substances, was putting a strain on local services. Progressive Lancashire opposition group leader Azhar Ali, and former Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, called for a renewed focus on ketamine and working to prevent people becoming addicted to it in the first place. He said: '[There is a] ketamine crisis in places like Burnley…and there is a real need to learn from people who have gone through that experience." The discussion came as the authority was handed a £10.6m government grant to fund services designed to reduce the supply and demand for drugs in Lancashire by bolstering the treatment and recovery options available to those who take them. The cash, for 2025/26, is the largest amount the county council area has received in four years of the nationwide "Harm to Hope Plan" which aims to cut crime associated with drugs – and save the lives of users. It will also be used to help those dependent on alcohol.
ITV News
10-06-2025
- Sport
- ITV News
Blind sport showdown becomes smash hit with Preston sight loss charity
ITV Granada Reports journalist Lauren Ostridge has been speaking to some players with visual impairments who have taken up the blind sport showdown. A charity that supports people living with visual impairments says a fast-paced and inclusive sport they have introduced has been a "game-changer" in helping to build confidence and combat isolation. Showdown, described as a mixture between table tennis and air hockey, was first invented in Canada in the 1970s for people with sight loss. But in recent years the game has become more and more popular in the UK. Galloways Support Through Sight Loss, based near Preston, applied for a Showdown table from British Blind Sport and have since created a strong team who compete in the national league. Galloways Gladiators have the only table in the North West of England and have competed against other Showdown teams like Coventry Comets and Sheffield Strikers. Lifestyles manager at Galloways, Andrew Coleman, said: "It's really opening lots of opportunities and friendships which is so important to combat isolation and make sure people have equal opportunities to get involved in sport." Each player wears a blindfold, to ensure an equal playing field, and has a paddle that looks like a small cricket bat. There is one ball, which rattles so players can hear it coming, and the aim of the game is bat it along the table and into the opponent's goal. A goal is worth two points and a foul is worth one point. A player needs to score 11 points to win. Activities coordinator James Foulton says the sport is a "game-changer" after witnessing firsthand the impact it can have. His long-time service user Dan has Down's Syndrome, as well as a a severe visual impairment, and barely spoke before taking up the blind sport. "He's found his voice again," James said. "He's getting more and more confident and is a completely different lad from when I first met him." Sophie Harrison, a service user at Galloways, was born with Stargardt disease; a rare, genetic condition that causes vision loss over time. She enjoys a variety of blind sports and attends Showdown practice at Galloways once a week. "I found it tricky at first but you start to tune in with your ears and can work out if it's rolling to the right or to the left," Sophie said. "You feel really included when you play Showdown because, if you were doing sports with sighted people, they might not understand. "But if you doing sports with other blind people, and volunteers supporting you, you don't feel like it's as much of a challenge."
ITV News
01-06-2025
- ITV News
Friends take on Western Front Way to honour old primary school's First World War heroes
ITV Granada Reports journalist Andrew Fletcher has been speaking to the cyclists preparing to take on the Western Front Way. Three childhood friends are undertaking an "epic" charity cycle challenge to visit the war graves of fallen soldiers from their old school. Colin Higham, Kevan Ball and Rob Taylor will cycle 634 miles along the route, with Russell Jones providing support, to pay their respects to 16 of the 24 former pupils who died in the First World War. Their names are etched on a remembrance stained glass window inside Rivington and Blackrod School's chapel in Horwich, near Bolton, where the friends, now aged 65, once attended. The retirees have been preparing to take on the Western Front Way - a 620 mile trail that follows the historic frontline of World War One, stretching from the Belgian coast to the Swiss border. Colin was struck by the idea after reading The Path of Peace: Walking the Western Front Way, which describes the footpath on No Man's Land - the perilous strip between opposing trenches where many soldiers lost their lives. He said: "We have done a lot of research into these boys. The last grave we're going to visit on the way is a boy whose brother also died on the Western Front and his father was the headmaster at this school. "We're hoping the children in the school now will relate to these stories and we can all learn a lesson of what happened during that terrible time." The cyclists say they are committed to ensuring that their local heroes are remembered and honoured. "This challenge is about more than just a cycle ride," said Kevan Ball, a veteran who served for four decades in the British Army. "It's a journey of remembrance, honouring the memory of local heroes and supporting vital charitable causes that continue to make a difference in our community." The entire expedition will be self-funded and all donations will be distributed between a several charitable organisations including The Royal British Legion, Children In Need and St Ann's Hospice. They will leave home on Monday, 2 June, before beginning the ride in Basel on Wednesday, 4 June.
ITV News
19-05-2025
- General
- ITV News
Father forced to carry disabled son up to first floor flat in Widnes to move into new adapted home
A father who was forced to carry his disabled son up a flight of stairs to their first floor flat is to move into a new adapted home. Stephen Murray was living with four sons in his one bedroom flat where they are all had to sleep in the same room. After his story was featured on ITV Granada Reports, the family were moved into hotel accommodation and told there was a property they could move into that is being adapted to their needs. It is a four-bedroomed house and assessments will be carried out on whether seven-year-old Harry, who has cerebral palsy, will be able to use the stairlift to access a wet room or if an adapted lift will be needed. Stephen said he had been "despairing" living in the cramped flat in Widnes, Cheshire, and worried about how long he would be able to carry Harry upstairs. "Within 24 hours our situation had changed", Stephen said. "We were moved to a hotel and told the property we had wanted, was going to be ours and was being adapted. "It is close to the children's school and we can start moving forwards with our lives'. A Halton Housing spokesperson said: "Since the change in Mr Murray's circumstances we have continued to work tirelessly alongside other agencies to find an alternative home for Mr Murray and his family. "We are pleased to confirm that a suitable property has now been identified and is currently being adapted to meet this family's specific needs. "We anticipate that Mr Murray and his family will be able to move into their new home this week and we will continue to support them in any way we can." For seven months, Mr Murray had been searching every night on the Housing Association's property pool. Speaking last week, Stephen said he'd felt like was getting no support, adding: "I had to take my children away from the situation they were in to give them a better life, but I feel like they've gone backwards. "They're frozen in time because there's so much they should be getting but they're not. There's no light at the end of the tunnel, it's just getting dimmer and dimmer." Stephen was concerned his son's health was being affected by the limited space and not being able to use his son's specialist wheelchair, leg braces and upright stand in the flat. Most people with cerebral palsy have mobility issues, but regular exercise and play are crucial for maintaining and improving their physical strength. Stephen said: "The physio said it's getting worse and it could get to a point where he won't be able to stretch his legs out. "He gets in the bath, but he's bruising his legs. With a wet room he'd be in his wheelchair and have a proper shower. It'd be so much easier."
ITV News
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Businesses prepare for 'major economic boost' as Isle of Man TT approaches
Video report by ITV Granada Reports' Isle of Man reporter Joshua Stokes Businesses on the Isle of Man 'reliant on the TT' are preparing for the return of the world-famous races. Several entrepreneurs across the island have spoken about how valuable the racing is to their businesses. More than 50,000 tourists from across the world are expected to travel to the island to witness the action. CEO of Duke Events, Peter Duke, believes the racing brings in 'well over £50 million' to the Manx economy. He said: "We're fairly dependent on it, we certainly suffered during the Covid lost years, that was really really difficult - but we survived, we're still here and we just want to make the TT experience better for everybody." Duke Events has a number of pop-up accommodation sites across the Isle of Man, housing hundreds of TT fans travelling across the world to witness the races. Mr Duke said there has been a steady increase in visitors from North America, particularly since the launch of the TT+ service, live streaming the racing across the globe. "40% of our guests are from North America now - they see it on TV and they love it!". A number of pop-up camping sites are built all around the Isle of Man to accommodate the tens of thousands of visitors. Credit: ITV Granada Reports Chris Kelly has a number of businesses on the island, but it is in catering where he makes his money during the TT period. "The TT is this business", he said. "Other smaller events in the year, the money just isn't in them. I mean there's a lot of businesses that just rely solely on the TT". Mr Kelly is preparing for his second year stationed in the fan park at the TT Grandstand, after a successful first outing in 2024. "Myself and my wife Tash ran it single-handedly, we did get a bit of help from family and friends, but it was an exhilarating experience". Red Arrows set to return to Isle of Man TT 2025 Chris Kelly prepares his churros truck, ahead of two weeks of racing. Credit: ITV Granada Reports Work is underway to build the TT fan park and paddock surrounding the Grandstand. The site is the largest so far, covering 120,000 square metres of space around Nobles Park - including race control, accommodation and car parking. Paul Phillips, Head of Motorsport at the Isle of Man Government, said: "It's a huge undertaking. It's in effect building a village or a town from scratch in a greenfield site." When asked how much the TT benefits the economy, Mr Phillips said: "The tentacles of TT economically go far wider than just visitors or visitor spend. "There's all of the jobs that it sustains all year round, whether that's in media, in infrastructure and logistics. "Most of the sports clubs turns into campsites generating lots of revenue effectively keeping them afloat. "Other organisations are able to create pop-up business that gives them a level of income that allows them to operate all year round." The Isle of Man TT starts on Monday 26 May and ends with the Senior TT race on Saturday 7 June. Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know...
