Following a comprehensive scientific safety review of the latest available data on the safety of pholcodine, together with advice from the independent Commission on Human Medicines, it has been concluded that the potential risks outweigh the benefits for these products.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) keeps the safety of medicines under review and acts where necessary to protect patients and the public.
Following a comprehensive scientific safety review of the latest available data on the safety of pholcodine, together with advice from the independent Commission on Human Medicines, it has been concluded that the potential risks outweigh the benefits for these products.
There is already a known link between pholcodine and an increased risk of the very rare event of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to muscle relaxants (neuromuscular blocking agents) that are used during general anaesthesia in surgery. In September 2022 the findings of a new study further strengthened the evidence of this link, but the overall risk is very small.
The MHRA advises that pholcodine-containing cough and cold medicines are being removed from the UK market as a precautionary measure.
Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer said: “Safety is our top priority, and we keep the safety of medicines under continual review.
“Following a thorough scientific safety review of all the available evidence on pholcodine, together with advice from the independent Commission on Human Medicines, it has been recommended, as a precautionary measure, that these products should no longer be used.
“If you are taking a cough or cold medicine, check the packaging, label or patient information leaflet to see if pholcodine is a listed ingredient. If it is, and you have any questions, you can talk to your pharmacist who will suggest an alternative medicine.
“If you have an operation scheduled using general anaesthesia, tell your anaesthetist if you think you have used pholcodine, particularly in the past 12 months. The anaesthetist will be well placed to take this into account. Anaesthetists are highly trained in managing anaphylaxis.
“If you want more information or advice, please speak to your pharmacist.”
A little piece of local history was made on Monday night (13 March), when the first tram in over 65 years ran down Leith Walk, as the Trams to Newhaven project nears completion.
Ahead of the route opening for service in spring 2023, a period of testing and commissioning is required to ensure the newly constructed line, software and signals work effectively and safely.
On Monday, the first stage of testing began, which involves trams travelling at walking pace along small sections of the route, starting at Picardy Place. This will continue through the week, taking place during the night to minimise traffic disruption.
Once the first stage is completed, the frequency and speed of tram testing will increase, and trams will start running to a timetable. Drivers on the route have carried out significant training in the lead-up to testing, including on a state-of-the-art simulator.
People are still being encouraged to take care and be aware of the presence of trams on the route for the first time over the coming weeks.
Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said:“This is a huge milestone for Trams to Newhaven as we see the first trams on Leith Walk in my lifetime.
“We’re fast approaching the start of passenger services this spring, and that the project is set to be delivered on time and within budget, despite the challenges of recent years, is testament to the hard work of all those involved.
“Bringing the tram to Newhaven will be transformative for the area, and the wider city. As well as boosting the economy and providing sustainable, high-capacity public transport to this densely populated part of Edinburgh, the project has significantly improved the entire route, with new cycle links, spaces to relax and spend time and newly planted trees and shrubs.
“As we enter the final phase of the project, testing and commissioning will make sure the line and infrastructure works safely and efficiently, while also confirming service capacity. Of course, this is the first time there will be trams on Leith Walk and in Leith in recent years so I would urge people to take extra care when in the area.”
Lea Harrison, Managing Director of Edinburgh Trams, said: “To see one of our trams running along Leith Walk was a proud moment for us, and this latest milestone in the project will enable us to step up our own preparations for the launch of passenger services to Newhaven.
“This includes real-world driver training on the new section of line following an intense period of familiarisation involving our state-of-the-art tram simulator.”
You could argue that this ‘historic’ event is actually running years late. The line to Newhaven and the Granton Spur were part of the original TIE network plans. The trams fiasco is the subject to a long-running inquiry led by Lord Hardie which is investigating the reasons why ‘the Edinburgh Tram project incurred delays, cost more than originally budgeted and through reductions in scope delivered significantly less than projected.’
The council maintains that the Trams to Newhaven project ‘remains on schedule for completion by spring 2023 and within the £207.3m budget, with all major construction now complete’. A specific date for when the route will be open for passengers will be announced in due course.
As part of the commissioning process every aspect of the new infrastructure will be thoroughly tested to ensure it meets the required safety standards.
There will be some bus diversions around Leith Walk in place overnight during the week commencing 13 March to allow for the testing.
The council warns: ‘Due to industry wide challenges with the availability of materials and skilled labour, impacted by Brexit and the war in Ukraine along with significant demand for labour in the UK and overseas, there are small pockets of public realm works that will now be completed over the coming months.’
Maria Ortega, Sacyr Farrans Neopul (SFN), project director on Trams to Newhaven, said: “As contractors on the Trams to Newhaven project, the Sacyr Farrans Neopul JV team are extremely proud to be achieving this huge milestone.
“We have been working successfully alongside our partners, supply chain and client for over four years to deliver this significant project in Edinburgh, Scotland.
“Despite the challenges of unprecedented times experienced throughout the life cycle of the project, seeing the first tram travelling down the newly completed line as part of the testing and commissioning process will be a memorable moment.
“The testing and commissioning phase will allow the new systems and infrastructure to be integrated into the existing tram network.
“As we reach the final stages of delivering this key piece of infrastructure to the people of the city, we appreciate the public’s continued support during this final technical phase of the project.”
Steven Jackson, Director, Turner & Townsend, said:“As the City of Edinburgh Council’s delivery partner for the Trams to Newhaven project, we’re delighted to have reached this significant milestone with the commencement of the testing and commissioning period, which will see trams travelling the full route.
“Following approval of the project in March 2019, we have worked closely with all members of the project team and third parties through an early contractor involvement period, significant utility diversions, and the install of new infrastructure and systems.
“The complexity of this ambitious project has required the team to tackle and overcome many challenges along the way, but collaboration has been key.
“We look forward to successfully delivering this major transport project in line with the programme set out in the final business case; and the start of the passenger services this Spring.”
Chancellor sets out next stage of the Government’s plan to halve inflation, grow the economy and reduce debt.
Building on the stability he gained from Autumn Statement, Jeremy Hunt will set out next steps to drive economic growth across the UK.
Plan will help ease the cost of living, remove barriers into work to boost incomes, drive business investment, and support new, high-growth industries of the future.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt will unveil the next phase of the Government’s plan to halve inflation, grow the economy and reduce debt in his Spring Budget today.
In his first Budget speech as Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt is expected to build on the stability gained at the Autumn Statement, with new measures to support families and businesses with the cost of living, before setting out an agenda to grow the UK economy.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt is expected to say:“In the Autumn we took difficult decisions to deliver stability and sound money. Today, we deliver the next part of our plan: a Budget for growth.
“Not just growth from emerging out of a downturn. But long term, sustainable, healthy growth that pays for our NHS and schools, finds good jobs for young people, provides a safety net for older people … all whilst making our country one of the most prosperous in the world.
“Today I deliver that by removing the obstacles that stop businesses investing; tackling the labour shortages that stop them recruiting; breaking down the barriers that stop people working and harnessing British ingenuity to make us a science and tech superpower.”
The Government is already protecting struggling families with one-off payments worth £94 billion. After a decade of reforms, people on low incomes can now earn £1,000 a month without paying tax or national insurance thanks to rises in tax thresholds. This has helped to lift two million people out of absolute poverty, after housing costs, including 400,000 pensioners and 500,000 children.
The Chancellor is expected to announce fairness reforms to energy bills, bringing the bills of families on prepayment meters in line with average direct debit energy bill under the Energy Price Guarantee. This will enable four million families to save £45 a year on their energy bills from July.
He will also announce his plan to go even further with and ambition to get hundreds of thousands more people into work. Support will focus on disabled people and those with long-term health conditions, parents, the over 50s, and people on Universal Credit. The changes are also expected to encourage benefit claimants to move into work or increase their hours with increased sanctions enforcement and Work Coach support, and childcare costs on Universal Credit to be paid up front.
The Chancellor is also expected to reject the narrative of decline, champion the successes the UK has achieved over the past decade, with a promise to build on the country’s competitive advantages to spread wealth and opportunity everywhere.
UK BUDGET MUST REVERSE TORY COST OF LIVING CRISIS
TOMMY SHEPPARD MP AND DEIDRE BROCK MP: SLASH ENERGY BILLS AND PUT MONEY BACK IN PEOPLE’S POCKETS
The SNP has said “the number one priority for the UK budget must be to put money back into people’s pockets” – warning the Tories can’t continue to hammer household incomes.
Ahead of today’s budget, Tommy Sheppard MP and Deidre Brock MP have urged Jeremy Hunt to deliver a comprehensive package to boost household incomes and economic growth. The MPs for Edinburgh East and Edinburgh North & Leith have challenged the Chancellor to deliver the SNP’s five-point plan:
Saving families £1400 on energy bills – by cutting the Energy Price Guarantee to £2000 and maintaining the £400 Energy Bill Support Scheme to the summer.
Raising public sector pay and benefits by CPI – putting money into the pockets of millions of workers and delivering Barnett consequentials for Scottish spending.
Scrapping Tory plans to raise the pension age to 68 and reinstating the Triple Lock – so no one must struggle in old age.
Re-joining the European Single Market – to boost economic growth and halt the multi-billion pound long-term damage being caused by Brexit.
Investing in green growth – by competing with EU and US subsidies to attract green investment.
In addition to the headroom identified by the IFS, and the billions of pounds saved as a result of the falling wholesale price of gas, the SNP is calling for the Chancellor to scrap non-dom tax status, tax share buy backs, and expand the windfall tax, which would raise billions more to fund cost of living support for ordinary households.
Commenting, Edinburgh East MP, Tommy Sheppard said: “The number one priority for the UK budget must be to put money back into people’s pockets – and reverse this Tory-made cost of living crisis.
“Scotland is a wealthy, energy-rich country but families are being fleeced by Westminster. By refusing to act, the Tories are showing why Scotland needs independence, so we can escape Westminster control, re-join the EU, and build a fair and prosperous economy.
“Families are sick to the back teeth of being ripped off by the Tory government. Instead of hammering household incomes, the Chancellor must save families £1,400 by slashing energy bills and deliver a comprehensive package of support.
“The SNP’s five-point plan would reduce bills, raise incomes and boost economic growth, at a time when many families are struggling to get by. With energy companies making record profits and the wholesale price of gas falling, there is no excuse for failing to act.”
Edinburgh North & Leith MP, Deidre Brock, added: “The SNP Scottish Government is doing everything it can with limited fiscal powers, including delivering the Scottish Child Payment, higher energy bill support, and higher public sector pay.
“The UK government must finally step up to the plate and use its reserved powers to introduce a Real Living Wage and raise public sector pay and benefits by CPI. In doing so, it would raise the incomes of millions of workers and deliver Barnett consequentials which would benefit Edinburgh and Scotland.
“This UK Budget is all about choices. Instead of making families in Edinburgh pay for Westminster failure, the Tories must fund support by scrapping non-dom tax status, expanding the windfall tax and taxing share buy backs, which would raise billions.
“And if we are serious about delivering economic growth and reversing decline, the UK government must re-join the European single market and properly invest in green energy.
“Scotland is suffering the consequences of Westminster control. The Tories trashed the economy with Brexit, austerity cuts and thirteen years of mismanagement. And with the pro-Brexit Labour Party becoming a pound-shop Tory tribute act, it’s clear independence is the only way for Scotland to secure the real change we need.”
Budget predictions – Bank of Scotland
Chris Lawrie, area director for Scotland at Bank of Scotland, said: “Business confidence in Scotland rose in recent months and, after business rates were frozen in a bid to help smaller businesses in the Scottish Budget, firms will be looking to the Chancellor to continue supporting long-term, sustainable growth and encourage higher levels of productivity.
“Growing the economy is key and the Budget is an opportunity to bring further stability and encourage investment in future growth. The Chancellor could show that he can help meet these ambitions by increasing capital allowances and providing the greater certainty and support businesses need to invest in a more high-tech, low-carbon economy.”
The Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) will be kept at £2,500 for an additional three months from April to June, saving a typical household £160.
Energy prices are 50% lower than forecast in October, but remain high, with this support helping bridge the gap to lower prices forecast from the end of June.
Comes as Chancellor set to confirm new cost of living support at Spring Budget, including ending the pre-payment meter premium and help with childcare costs.
MILLIONS of households will get more support with high energy bills to help ease the cost of living, the Chancellor has announced today ahead of the Spring Budget.
The Energy Price Guarantee, which is protecting households by capping typical energy bills at £2,500, will be maintained at the same level for a further three months over April, May, and June, worth £160 in total for a typical household.
The Chancellor is announcing the extension today (15 March) as part of his Spring Budget, which focuses on easing the impact of rising prices, delivering on our promise to halve inflation, and growing the economy by supporting more people into work.
Government support has already cut the typical family energy bill by over £1,300 since October, stopping the average household energy bill hitting £4,279 a year this winter.
The Chancellor’s three-month extension of the Energy Price Guarantee at £2,500 means households won’t feel the full force of Ofgem’s Price Cap between April and June – which stands at £3,280 – helping to bridge consumers into the summer.
Lower wholesale gas prices are expected to feed through to lower household energy bills from July, where Cornwall Insight data suggests the Ofgem Price Cap will reach an estimated £2,100 a year for a typical household.
From April, more support is coming online with 8 million low income and vulnerable households set to receive at least £900 in cash payments over the next year, benefits and pensions set to rise by over 10 per cent, and the National Living Wage increasing to a record £10.42 an hour, so that it always pays to work.
The Spring Budget will go even further, providing hundreds of pounds more in help with childcare costs for parents on Universal Credit and ending the energy premium paid by households who use pre-payment meters, which will save 4 million families £45 a year from July.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “We know people are worried about their bills rising in April, so to give people some peace of mind, we’re keeping the Energy Price Guarantee at its current level until the summer when gas prices are expected to fall.
“Continuing to hold down energy bills is part of our plan to help hardworking families with the cost of living and halve inflation this year.”
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said: “High energy bills are one of the biggest worries for families, which is why we’re maintaining the Energy Price Guarantee at its current level.
“With energy bills set to fall from July onwards, this temporary change will bridge the gap and ease the pressure on families, while also helping to lower inflation too.”
Energy Secretary, Grant Shapps said: “Putin’s illegal war has cost British families, which is why we’ve stepped in to pay around half of the typical household energy bill.
“With wholesale prices falling families will start to benefit, but in the meantime we’re stepping back in with the Energy Price Guarantee to prevent the typical electricity and gas bill exceeding £2,500. It’s just part of our plan to help families this winter.”
At Autumn Statement the Chancellor announced that the EPG was due to rise to £3,000 on April 1, with the government then expecting to borrow £12 billion to fund this support. Since then, energy prices have fallen by 50%, cutting the borrowing needed to fund energy support by two- thirds to £4 billion.
The change announced today also follows the latest Ofgem Price cap of £3,280 from April to June which, in large part, sets the cost for this three-month extension. Households would pay the full Ofgem price cap rate if there was no Energy Price Guarantee.
Holding down energy bills is also part of the government’s plan to halve inflation this year, and in November the Office for Budget Responsibility said that the EPG would lower the peak rate of inflation.
The Action Group have taken ownership of The Prentice Centre from the West Granton Community Trust (WGCT), following a Community Asset Transfer after the WGCT announced their closure in June 2022.
With almost 50 years supporting people across Edinburgh, the Lothians and Falkirk with disabilities, and their families and carers, The Action Group have a many of long standing connections with people across North Edinburgh, and have been based in Leith since 1976.
Stephen Oliver, Chair of the Board for The Action Group, said: “This is an exciting change for us as an organisation, and we hope to develop an inclusive community hub, for those we support, and our staff, now and in the future.
“We are looking forward to a positive future at The Prentice Centre, and are privileged to be able to build on the connections and partnerships, forged by WGCT over many years. We are so grateful to their members, staff and Management committee for working with us so positively on this transfer. We are proud to go forward with their blessing.”
Community Hub Manager for the Prentice Centre, Moira Fenning, said: “It was an extremely difficult decision taken by the West Granton Community Trust, to wind down the charity after serving the local community for 30 years.
“However, the transition of finding new owners for the building, was made much easier by seeing the amazing work carried out by the Action Group, and the exciting future plans they have for the Prentice Centre.
“We would like to take this opportunity to wish them every success in their future work within the community.”
Lisa Williamson, Development Manager for The Action Group, said: ‘The possibilities and opportunities that this move will give us are very exciting.
“We are looking forward to forming new partnerships within the local community, and working on collaborative projects with organisations both locally and across the city, to provide services and spaces for people with additional support needs, their families, and carers.”
The Action Group intend to have the centre up and running within a few months and will initially retain the name The Prentice Centre.
CEO of The Action Group, Linda Tuthill, said: “The Prentice Centre was named after Walter Prentice, a longstanding local activist.
“It was an easy decision for us to choose to continue his legacy for the time being and retain his name on the building, together with our own name: The Action Group @ The Prentice Centre.”
The Action Group ownership was finalised on February 6th.
The UK Government has extended the voluntary National Insurance deadline to 31 July 2023 to give taxpayers more time to fill gaps in their National Insurance record and help increase the amount they receive in State Pension.
This comes after members of the public voiced concern over the previous deadline of 5 April 2023.
The deadline extension was announced in a Written Ministerial Statement last week (7th March) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging taxpayers to ensure they don’t miss out.
Anyone with gaps in their National Insurance record from April 2006 onwards now has more time to decide whether to fill the gaps to boost their new State Pension. Any payments made will be at the lower 2022 to 2023 tax year rates.
As part of transitional arrangements to the new State Pension, taxpayers have been able to make voluntary contributions to any incomplete years in their National Insurance record between April 2006 and April 2016, to help increase the amount they receive when they retire. And after an increase in customer contact, the UK Government has extended the deadline l.to ensure people have time to make their contributions.
Victoria Atkins, The Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: “We’ve listened to concerned members of the public and have acted.
“We recognise how important State Pensions are for retired individuals, which is why we are giving people more time to fill any gaps in their National Insurance record to help bolster their entitlement.”
Thousands of taxpayers with incomplete years in their National Insurance record could be financially better off in their retirement if they make voluntary payments to top up any incomplete or missing years.
Seven people have been arrested after warrants were executed at nine properties in Edinburgh, East Lothian, and Midlothian, as part of a pre-planned operation following a series of violent incidents and fire-raising.
Today, Tuesday, 14 March, divisional officers, supported by specialist resources from Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism, attended at addresses in the Niddrie, Gracemount and Craigmillar areas of Edinburgh, as well as Cockenzie and Gorebridge.
Five men – aged 23, 23, 30, 30, and 32 – and a 16-year-old male youth – have been charged in connection with a series of offences, a report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal and all will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday, 15 March, 2023. A 23-year-old man was released pending further enquiries.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Petrie, Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism, said: “Today demonstrates our commitment to tackling violence in our communities and apprehending those involved.
“This day of action has been the culmination of extensive investigatory work over a number of months.
“Throughout the investigation we have utilised detectives and specialists from across Police Scotland and we will continue to do so as our enquiries remain ongoing.”
Superintendent Mark Rennie, who is responsible for operational policing within Edinburgh, said: “These arrests reinforce our determination to target those involved in violence and organised crime.
“I want to reassure the public that we will continue to use every tool and tactic at our disposal to relentlessly pursue individuals who engage in violence within this city.
“I would encourage members of the public with information, or any concerns, to come forward so we can take action.
“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101. Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be given anonymously.
The awards celebrate the tech industry’s most exceptional talent recognising all stages of the career journey from apprentices to C-Suite, creating role models to inspire the next generation from the UK and beyond.
The FDM everywoman in Technology Award winners were announced at a ceremony in London on 9th March where 500 cross-industry tech leaders came to network and celebrate these exceptional women.
CYBER SECURITY AWARD – sponsored by BAE Systems
Awarded to a woman who is excelling in her role and making a tangible difference to her business in the field of cyber security
Eleanor Sim, Director Cyber Security Strategy and Architecture at Bupa, from Edinburgh
A lifelong technologist and passionate advocate of women’s careers in tech, Eleanor began her career as a security researcher at the National Cyber Security Centre (previously CESG) in Cheltenham, having achieved a first-class degree in Computer Science and AI.
It was here that Eleanor helped found Cyber First Girls a competition for UK schools, inspiring the next generation of young women to consider a career in cyber security.
Following a fulfilling and successful career in Government, she took on the role of Head of Security Architecture at NatWest Group, before moving on to become Director for Security Strategy and Architecture at Bupa in 2021.
Working for one of the world’s largest healthcare companies, she spearheads the security of business-critical projects and innovations that are improving the health outcomes of millions of customers, alongside her inspirational leadership and advocacy of both women in technology and Bupa’s Pride network.
Maxine Benson MBE, Co-Founder of everywomancomments: “Since 2011, The FDM everywoman in Technology Awards are both a recognition and a celebration of the impact women are having on the technology industry worldwide and the diverse, fulfilling, and exemplary careers that women can have in technology.
“Over the past 14 years, the accomplishments, and stories of these talented women have and will continue to inspire future generations to pursue a career in an industry where women are underrepresented. Each winner is a role model whose remarkable achievements showcase the vital advancements technology has in saving, transforming, and improving lives, while also positively impacting the planet and ensuring the future of tech grows ever more diverse and inclusive.”
Mary Haigh, Chief Information and Security Officer at BAE Systems, said: “Cybersecurity underpins the digital revolution. It’s a challenging field requiring the most diverse and creative teams. That’s why we want to get more women into technology roles, so sponsoring this event made perfect sense.
“We send our best wishes and congratulations to all those shortlisted for this important award, which celebrates women making a tangible difference to their organisation in the field of cybersecurity. My own grandmother was called up to serve as a radio interceptor for Bletchley Park, reminding me that inspiring women, though often hidden, have been at the forefront of the digital revolution from the very start.”
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, has a spring in its step with the launch of its family-friendly Easter Bunny Breakfast in its Edinburgh store.
Families in Edinburgh are invited along to Dobbies’ restaurant from 6 to 10 April to tuck into an egg-cellent breakfast, followed by a scavenger hunt around the store with the Easter bunny.
Children will also get the chance to take part in a hop-tastic workshop where they’ll plant up miniature carrots with Dobbies’ bunny and resident horticultural team, who both know a thing or two about carrots. Children will get to take home their planted miniature carrots as well as their own mini Maltesers bunny.
There will be a great selection of breakfast options, including a children’s cooked breakfast, also available as a vegetarian option, or cheesy beans on toast, all served with a choice of apple juice, orange juice or water.
Adults have the choice of a traditional or vegetarian cooked breakfast. If customers are looking for a lighter option, they can opt for a breakfast stack or a three-item breakfast roll. Each dish comes with the choice of a pot of tea or regular coffee.
Sarah Murray, Dobbies’ Partnership and Events Manager said: “Easter is a special time of year in the gardening calendar. It’s a great time to educate children on the variety of fruit and vegetables that can be grown in the garden and the seasonal plants and flowers that bloom in spring.
“Our Easter Bunny Breakfast in Edinburgh is a wonderful activity for the whole family, especially those looking after the kids over the Easter break. Seasonal events are very popular in-store, and we anticipate this selling out quickly. We’d recommend booking spaces in advance to avoid any disappointment.”
Dobbies’ Easter Bunny Breakfast is suitable for families with children aged 3-10 years old, children under 3 can still take part with the support of an adult. Children can enjoy the event for £9.99 per child, and adult tickets start from £7.45, inclusive of meals.
For more information about how to get involved in Dobbies’ Easter Bunny Breakfast in Edinburgh, visit www.dobbies.com/events
ITV Studios has teamed up with Reality+ to launch the Tracy Island Sandbox Experience, taking fans of the iconic Thunderbirds TV show further into the metaverse – F.A.B.!
An unmissable Tracy Island Sandbox Metaverse Experience has launched as part of Thunderbirds: International Rescue Club:
https://www.thunderbirdsclub.com
the exciting Web3 reimagining of the classic TV show’s unique style by ITV Studios and Reality+.
The special, time-limited Tracy Island event in The Sandbox Metaverse (https://www.sandbox.game/) will run for two weeks from March 13th and give fans the opportunity to join forces with their favourite Thunderbirds characters to take on quests in and around the famous top secret International Rescue HQ.
The Tracy Island Sandbox Experience consists of 15 quests and mini-games with a plethora of Easter eggs and information about the original TV series. Leveraging the benefits of Web3, fans can also browse the various digital collectibles, including a huge gallery take over in the Thunderbird 2 hangar, and a special voxel exhibition curated by Lady Penelope herself.
As part of the game’s play-to-earn mechanic players will have the chance to win a slice of The Sandbox’s monthly prize pool fund (1,150,000 SAND, The Sandbox Experience currency, equivalent to £500,000), plus mystery gifts.
Part virtual real estate, part amusement park, The Sandbox fully embraces the idea of the metaverse as a continuous shared digital space, in which players and brands can build, own, and monetise their experiences on the Ethereum blockchain.
Thunderbirds is an iconic and much-loved British TV show, first broadcast in 1965, following the exploits of the Tracy family and their International Rescue service. The show was created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson and is famous for its innovative use of marionette puppetry, or ‘Supermarionation’.
Reality+ helps worldwide brands transition to Web3 with bespoke product, community and development strategies, backed by an award-winning technology platform.
ITV Studios initially partnered with Reality+ in September to launch the first interaction of Thunderbirds: International Rescue Club, a premium, utility-focused Web3 experience that enabled fans to buy and trade officially licensed NFT digital artworks based on the classic TV show.
Owners of the NFT artworks were granted access to their own unique avatar for use in The Sandbox and now as part of the Tracy Island Sandbox Experience, which launches after a special month-long F.A.B.RUARY celebration of everything Thunderbirds, including new digital artworks reimagining iconic Thunderbirds characters vehicles.
The Thunderbirds: International Rescue Club community also became real life heroes when they generated over £15,000 to support the Dobrich Dog Rescue, as part of a real life rescue mission.
Going forward, ITV Studios and Reality+ will continue to develop and launch new features as part of the Thunderbirds: International Rescue Club, including community co-creation projects and interoperability of Thunderbirds NFTs with other partners.
Sustainability is central to the Thunderbirds: International Rescue Club philosophy, with The Sandbox partnered with Offsetra and Nori on carbon offsetting, plus WeForest to help reforestation efforts across the globe.
Reality+ Co-Founder Tony Pearce said: “It’s a tremendous honour to be working with ITV Studios, not only to help them push the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of Web3 entertainment, but for the opportunity to take such an iconic TV show on an exciting new journey with its fans.
“We have already achieved so much with Thunderbirds: International Rescue Club, and with fantastic partners like The Sandbox there’s much more to come.”
Lucie Stoffers, Head of Brand & Licensing Global Entertainment, ITV Studios, said: “We are super excited to work with Reality+ and The Sandbox team to take the next step in our partnership and bring Thunderbirds to The Sandbox.
“This will allow Thunderbirds fans from around the world to discover Tracy Island and complete new Rescue Missions, as well as get access to a bespoke NFT collection.”
5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Thunderbirds F.A.B Facts
(5) Thunderbirds is a British science fiction television series created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, that first aired in the UK and globally between 1964 and 1966
(4) The show follows the exploits of International Rescue, a life-saving organisation equipped with technologically advanced rescue craft (Thunderbirds), launched from a secret base on Tracy Island.
(3) Gerry Anderson drew inspiration for the underlying Thunderbirds concept from a West German mining disaster known as the Wunder von Lengede (“Miracle of Lengede”).
(2) Thunderbirds was filmed using a form of electronic marionette puppetry (dubbed ‘Supermarionation’), combined with amazing scale model special effects sequences.
(1) In 2007, Thunderbirds came 19th in a Radio Times poll for the best science fiction TV programme of all time, and in 2013 it was ranked fourth in the Channel 5 list show 50 Greatest Kids’ TV Shows.
