26/10/2011 East Midlands Today

This is East Midlands Today with Anne Davies and me, Dominic Heale.

Our top story tonight: an urgent appeal to the Asian community.

in Leicester where the police are asking people to sign up and donate

in the hope of saving an officer's life. A also tonight: at the home

devastated in a second. We look at what happened to the

home hit by a bolt of lightning. Plus, the anti-capitalist

occupation where some of the protesters go home at night.

And, a question for the chairman of Leicester City - just why did Sven

Good evening, welcome to Wednesday's programme. First

tonight, a woman's desperate appeal for people to come forward who

could save her husband's life. Rik Basra is an inspector with

Leicestershire police. He's suffering from acute myeloid

leukaemia and urgently needs a bone marrow transplant. But there's a

lack of Asian donors currently on the Anthony Nolan register.

Rik's wife, together with the police, have helped organise a

campaign to encourage more potential Asian donors to sign up.

Helen Astle is at the Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre in Leicester.

Good evening. It is a pretty busy night here in Leicester, and that

could be good news for Inspector Basra. I am just outside the

Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre and the police officers, as you can see,

are giving out leaflets and urging people to sign up to donate. The

message is clear - it is a simple process and you could save

someone's life. He got a routine cold and we didn't think anything

of it, but the doctor decided to a blood test, and that revealed that

leukaemia had returned. Shocked, devastated. It was harder than the

first time because the first time he was ill, we knew there was

something wrong. But this time, it just stunned us. Mrs ASDA recalls

the moment he was diagnosed for the second time with the disease. He

needs a bone marrow transplant. The family are determined to find a

matching donor, not just for Rik Basra, but for other people, too.

But time is tight. I discovered in the first week there are only 4% of

Asians on this database. Not only I am I being told that Rick has got

leukaemia, but now I am starting to worry that we won't find a match

for him. Over in Nottingham, and this lady is all too aware of how

few Asian donors there are. Her daughter died last month. She never

received a bone marrow transplant. It is the pain. It is hard to

accept. I don't want anyone to go through what I am going through. I

just hope that people who are watching this will come forward and

joined the bone marrow register and help others like my daughter. You

know, they can save a life. They are hoping hundreds of people will

register, and she also wants to dispel myths about what it involves.

What we found out initially was stopping people from registering

was the fear factor, of what it would mean for them, what they

would need to do, and how much time that they need to have of work.

What we are able to say is that all it is is a saliva test, a very

short medical questionnaire, and then maybe a couple of days off

work. But it is worth that to save someone's life. A heartfelt plea

there from Rik Basra's wife. I am joined by Simon Cowell. How

important is this campaign? It's really important to us. We are

trying to make sure that Diwali is a successful and joyous event, but

around the edges of that it would make it really joyous if we could

help to save Rik Basra's life. There is a wider need for donors,

particularly in the Asian community. What kind of officer is he? He is a

top officer. He is a role model for many young Asians, I would suggest.

He has achieved the rank of inspector, and has been with us for

over two decades. We all want to know that we have done what we can

to save him. So you are backing the campaign? Yes, we have had great

support from the Anthony Nolan Trust, but we need to get more

donors on a database, and hopefully one can save him. Thank you for

joining me this evening. Hopes are high that hundreds of people will

sign up tonight, and as Rik Basra's wife said earlier, we can make a

difference. With us now is Nigel Russell,

professor of haematology at the Queen's Medical Centre in

Nottingham, and he's an expert in bone marrow donation. Is the

problem with bone marrow potential donors the belief that it is a

painful experience donating bone marrow? I think things have changed

dramatically in the last 10 years. It is now possible to be a bone

marrow donor and not have your bone-marrow touched at all. We can

collect the stem cells we need from the blood. The donor does need a

few injections and go on to a special machine, which is just

putting a needle in their arm, and they can collect the stem cells

within a few hours. It does not involve spending any time in

hospital. No anaesthetic, pain-free. That has dispelled a lot of rumours

about that. Just talk a little bit about people from ethnic

backgrounds. It is more difficult to find donors from that area?

it is. We can find donors for 90% of white patients who require a

transplant. For people of Asian or Afro-Caribbean origin it is under

50% of patients who can be found a donor. There are alternatives. It

is possible to use and the local called bloods, and there is a big

drive to increase the number of court bloods are stored. A new

blood bank has been opened in the last year for this very purpose.

terms of bone marrow, is there a reluctance within the Asian

Committee to donate, is this a canal -- culture will issue?

don't think so. It is very simple, you go on to the Anthony Nolan

website and then a few clicks you can register as a donor. The target

group is young people under the age of 30. These are the best donors.

It is so simple to do. You can register in a few minutes, and

scent of a sample of blood, and you could be on the register. It could

not be easier. He could transform people's lives. Absolutely.

mentioned the other local court. Do you see a point in time where the

court could be taken from the baby when it is born and then we would

have to find donors? I think that will be the situation in the next

few years. Then we can bitchery just get them off the shelf. This

is what to be increasingly need to do. Let's hope it happens. It is

not a problem, you can just signed up and do it and save someone's

life. Still to come on the programme:

lighting up Leicester - the city's Diwali celebrations are the biggest

outside India. And, we will be there live as the festival gets

under way. Before that, a man has been

describing the moment his house was blasted by a bolt of lightning.

Dean Radford from Nether Langwith in Nottinghamshire said he thought

a bomb had exploded. Dean and his girlfriend face a repair bill

running into tens of thousands of pounds and months of living in

alternative accommodation. Tom Brown reports.

This is just a small part of the damage left by that lightning bolt

last night. The remains of the roof are scattered all around me outside.

On the inside, it left a trail of devastation that meant Dean and

Lisa, who were inside the House at the time, were perhaps lucky to

walk away from it. We were watching television as normal on the sofa

with my girlfriend. All of a sudden, the most almighty bang ever. Total

darkness. Dust, snake. Horrendous. It was total devastation. The power

blew off the plaster from the force. And the devastation continued

upstairs as well. I think you can see that if anyone had been in here

at that time would not have lived through it. It smashed everything

to pieces. The shower unit, nothing left of it. And the showers which

are part of here, blown to pieces. The lights hanging down from the

ceiling. The ceiling has gone, glass everywhere. This room is my

computer room. You might think that is my DIY gone wrong, but yet again,

it is where the lightning struck and blow it to pieces. As you can

see, we are fairly new, and it is totally wrecked again. You have not

been in the House long, have you? No, about nine months. My dream

home. Beautiful views. Now, one day on, Dean and his girlfriend Lisa

are devastated. We are both lucky to be alive, that's the main thing.

It is devastating that the houses such a mess, but we are still here.

His insurance company will be there to -- tomorrow to assess the full

extent of the damage. Dean is already preparing to have to spend

months away from his dream home. Eight people have been arrested on

suspicion of murder after a man's body was found in a house in

Mansfield. Paramedics were called to Chesterfield Road South just

after 10 o'clock yesterday morning. The victim is believed to be in his

forties. Seven men and a woman who are aged between 19 and 43 are

being questioned. A cordon is in place while forensic officers

examine the scene. Detectives investigating a serious

assault at a pub in Leicester have released CCTV images of a man they

want to talk to. Two men remain in hospital with burns after the

incident at the Rainbow and Dove pub on Charles Street in the early

hours of Tuesday morning. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which is

powered by engines made in Derby, has completed its first commercial

flight. The long-haul jet flew over the Rolls-Royce factory in July

last year. Now it has flown from Tokyo to Hong Kong in four hours.

It is said to be one of the most fuel-efficient planes ever made.

Boeing's development problems delayed production of the plane for

three years. Anti-capitalist protesters who have

been occupying part of Nottingham's Market Square for the last 12 days

have admitted that some of them go home at night. The Nottingham

protesters say a few people do go home periodically, but the camp is

still well supported by campaigners and the public. And they say it is

staying indefinitely. James Roberson reports.

It's a time this contest between those representing wealth and power,

and the pawns they dominate. And that's also the world view of the

anti-capitalist protesters who are camping in Nottingham's Market

Square. I am Nottingham born and bred. I thought it was about time

we brought the message home to our city, to our friends and family and

the people we love here. homeless account in Nottingham has

gone up. I notice more people sat in doorways of the overnight, and

it is disgraceful something needs to be done. A similar camp outside

St Paul's Cathedral in London has been criticised because it appears

many of the Tens RMT at night. In Nottingham, campaigners admit some

are, too, and say it is necessary. No, not everybody is staying all

night. Last night we had about 30 that it stay. The last count we had

about 27 Tens. Some people have to go home. It fluctuates, as you can

imagine, at night. It is difficult to ward off very jump people

sometimes when they are being aggressive and intimidating.

camp has moved position since it was first set up 12 days ago. It is

now much larger than when it started with more tense. Today, a

City Council spokesman said they understand the demonstrators and

respect their right to protest. "we do feel they have made their point,

but are pleased they have moved so that events such as game city can

go ahead unheeded. We will continue to monitor the situation". But

other council's were used affected by the public? I agree with

everything they have said, but this is the best way to get a point

across. It is taking a stance and saying we don't all have to live

like that. There are better ways of making a protest. They do bring a

point which a lot of us never think of week to week. The protesters say

they will continue to stay For some cancer patients it is the

worst thing about their treatment - a losing their here.

-- losing their hair. Our correspondent meets a week

stylists. -- asked by a list of wines.

Are you ready for this? Yes. Sinead O'Connor eat your heart out! You

are OK. There is a lot more to here than

that. Put it on it really law first. They

look terrible until you have got it right. I did not take my hair loss

very well at all. I do not think other people notice. We cry

together. We start off with tears but everybody goes out with a big

smile on their face. Tony is pleased that his wife loves the

results. Anything that helps bring There we go. This group was set up

to help those suffering from hair loss. You do not need to worry.

This is a bit more of a transition. I quite like it. And in not to be

confused with the wig is this dog! A council has been criticised for

spending �250,000 on a new website whilst axing jobs. Derby city

council spending years developing this new site. Unions and

opposition councillors say it was a waste of money.

Severn Trent has apologised for failing to reduce leaks. The

regulator has criticised the company. The last action against

the company was taking in 2007. The company says it is making dramatic

improvements. BBC Radio 1 was in our region today

as part of a national tour. Fearne Cotton presented her shawl from the

University of Leicester. The radio station is focusing on Leicester

and other university towns. Still to come - fireworks in

Leicester tonight. It will be a good mate for up the

it Diwali celebrations. But there is more rain on the way.

Fireworks in sport. The vice chairman of Leicester City

has insisted he has not spoken to Martin O'Neill about the manager's

job at the King Power Stadium. Top Raksriaksorn told me he has not

made a decision. He said he will take his time to find the right man

to replace Sven Goran Eriksson. It has been a soul-searching week.

He said he acted for the good of the club. He parted company with

Sven Goran Eriksson. It was difficult. It was sad. I talked to

him every day. He is a good man. He is a good person. He is a good boss.

I said that. But the decision was made. We have to move on. Leicester

have won in nine of their last 27 games. The order of the club says a

continuation of that form would not bring promotion. That is not good

enough. Their owners have spent �15 million on the the playing a squat.

PB on the B 26, but he says he is the man who has to make the tough

decisions. Every decision that we make is for

the club. It is not just for me myself. It is for the club.

Leicester legend Martin O'Neill is thought to be a number one target

to replace Sven Goran Eriksson. I have not picked anyone yet. I

have to see all the applications. Then that we decide later. We have

made no contact yet. What kind of manager would you like? Anyone who

can bring the team up! He must have a hunger and want to go to the

Premier League. He must motivate the team. Anyone who can bring the

team up. There we have it. What have we learnt today about who the

new manager might be? Our sports editor has his own thoughts.

You spend 15 minutes with him. We know that he wants a motivator. He

is not Mrs Sally looking for an international name. He said there

are a lot of applications. He said he will not speak to anyone until

he has read all of them. I would be amazed if there has not been

informal contact with Martin O'Neill to discuss what Leicester

would have to do to tempt him to come here.

What about the other front-runners? Anything on them?

No comment from Mark Hughes. Lee Clark, and Simon Grayson, have

dismissed suggestions they would be interested.

We have spoken to the adviser of Billy Davies, he is coy, and he

says he expects Billy Davies to return to management by the end of

next month, but could that be at the King Power Stadium?

I wonder. Thank you.

Last night Notts County extended their unbeaten run to four games

end after ruling and controversial draw with Bury.

Notts County's manager cannot believe how well his team is doing

at the moment. They had to show character last night at Bury. There

is a lot of disbelief around. Much of it was directed at the referee.

This player could not see why he was penalised, but the penalty was

given. There were three penalties awarded

last night. Notts County were pressing for the

equaliser and coming close. Then it the third penalty was awarded. Once

more it was converted. Notts County are now 5th in the table. Good luck

to them. Nottingham Panthers in action

tonight against Dundee. We'll have all the action tomorrow on that. We

will also have the latest one Leicester City.

Thank you. More than 30,000 people are

expected to celebrate Diwali in Leicester tonight.

The Indian festival of light is the biggest event in the Hindu calendar

and at last for five days. Every year the celebrations are the

largest outside of India. Our reporter is enjoying the

celebrations. Good evening. This is the heart of

their Asian community in Leicester. There is plenty of live

entertainment. There will be a spectacular fireworks display later.

People will exchange gifts and meet with other people. It is a time of

feasting and celebration, but also a time of worship. I spent the day

at a temple. Catering on a grand scale to feed

the thousands who will visit this temple to celebrate the most

important date in the Hindu calendar - Diwali.

This is a time to come together as a family, as a Hindu community, and

celebrate. It is a part of India that has come to England. It is

remembering our traditional routes. Everyone has their own busy lives.

During Diwali it is extra-special. Diwali is a time for food cannily -

- food, family, worship. This is the festival of light.

Families should forget feuds and misunderstandings and come together.

Garlands are need to decorate the deities. Home-made food is deleted.

Diwali is all about food. It is pure vegetarian. It is offered to

the deities. That turned it into sacred food. We event of it to

everyone who comes in. 10,000 worshippers are expected here at

this new temple. It is the first major festival in this temple since

it opened. Plenty is going on here tonight as

you can see. The fireworks displays at 8:30pm. If you cannot get down

here there is a special evening of programming on BBC Radio Leicester.

From all as here have agreed Diwali. If you cannot get down there you

can watch more at 10:25pm on BBC can watch more at 10:25pm on BBC

One this evening. Here is the weather: This guys are starting to

clear. -- the skies. It will be a chilly night. It is a southerly

breeze. A very nice evening. Happy Diwali.

Under these clear skies than normal temperature will be seven Celsius.

That will change in the early hours of the morning. A weather front is

pushing up from the south will stop -- from the south. It looks as if

they are heavier rain will be in the west of our region. The further

east you are, it will still be showery. It will feel cooler. A

maximum temperature of 12 Celsius. This is the picture for Friday.

That is low cloud. That could lead to early morning fog. The skies

will gradually start to Brighton. - - start to Brighton. At the weekend

the winds will strengthen. It will be a reasonable weekend. There will

be some sunny spells. On Sunday the wind will start to get stronger