EXTREME IRONING for The Sun

(P46 - 21/04/2011)

He's Gok What It Takes

For the Newcastle Evening Chronicle (Oct 13)

BY Ryan Pilot

TV fashionista Gok Wan dropped into Newcastle to recruit Tynesiders for a charity programme.

Vodafone's World of Difference scheme is offering 500 people paid two-month placements with a charity of their choice.

Gok chatted to Newcastle's participants from last year on the Millennium Bridge, where he commented on the "gorgeous" quayside. It is not the fashion guru's first visit to the city - he has brought his travelling catwalk roadshow here twice for TV Gok's Fashion Fix.

Newcastle produced 22 applicants last year, but Gok is hoping for a lot more this time.

Gok Makes The World Of Difference

For the Newcastle Journal (Oct 13)

BY Ryan Pilot

FASHION guru Gok Wan chatted to Tynesiders on the Millennium Bridge yesterday as he promoted a charity project.

Vodafone's World of Difference programme is offering 500 people a paid two-month placement with a charity of their choice.

Urging the region to get involved, Gok said: "Apply, absolutely, go out there, be proactive about it. You can absolutely 100% make a difference - it's really important." It is not the presenter's first visit to the city - he has brought his travelling catwalk roadshow here twice for TV show Gok's Fashion Fix.

"Everyone's really accommodating," he said. "And in fact, when we did the travelling catwalk to search for the country's most stylish person we had lots of really good entries here."

Jen Pharaoh did a two-month placement with local charity Coco last year as part of the World of Difference scheme. She worked with youngsters at Regent Farm First School in Gosforth, Newcastle.

Jen, 23 said: "I can highly recommend anyone apply because there's something for everyone to do."

Anyone who wants to apply should go to www.vodafone.co.uk/worldofdifference

Gateshead Thunder is the One to Watch

Written for www.Woodencauliflower.com

By Ryan Pilot

You may not be aware of Gateshead Thunder Rugby League Club. But they could be exactly what you’re looking for. They play an exciting, action-packed sport that doesn’t pause to catch its breath. It is eighty minutes of tough physical battling with few breaks in play. What’s more, compared to football or rugby union, it’s very affordable.

“Everything you want to see at football or a rugby union match you get here. But you’re getting more of it. And that’s a fact,” explains head coach Chris Hood. “And it costs a lot less.”

The affordability factor is a very attractive one, particularly in a time of recession when many are struggling. Match day tickets are £11 or £5 for a child. Compare this with Newcastle United’s £20-£60 tickets and Newcastle Falcons’ £17-£44 match day prices and you can see why the Co-operative recently found rugby league to be the best value major sport in the country.

“With the current climate and the credit crunch, people need sport and something to watch as a release. But then you also need to weigh it up to how much you’re going to pay for it,” says Hood. “I don’t think many sports or many products beat Gateshead Thunder on that.”

If you’re not into rugby, but would like to be, rest assured rugby league is very much an inclusive sport. Union can sometimes be seen as a pastime for the more privileged; popular in universities and private schools with complicated rules. Rugby league is a simpler game, which makes it less alienating and easier to get in to.

“It’s something that covers all sorts of economic and social backgrounds,” says Hood. “There’s no pre-conceived ideas; you don’t have to come from a certain place or be a certain person to play it ... It’s wide-ranging across communities.”

Still not convinced? Well, although the National Rail Cup is already underway, rugby league is really played in the summer when the leagues kick off. So you can ditch that cup of Bovril and pocket full of Fisherman’s Friend that you begrudgingly consume at football matches and concentrate on enjoying the game.

Thunder gained promotion into National League 1 last season, the tier below Super League, and this year marks its tenth anniversary. Local coach Chris Hood, who started coaching with Northumbria University and went on to coach England’s student team, has only recently taken the helm.

“I was immensely proud,” Hood says of taking the position. “Rugby league has been a huge part of my life for over ten years and Gateshead Thunder for that long as well ... It’s huge for me.”
Hood was appointed at the end of January following the controversial sacking of David Woods for professional misconduct. Hood is very grateful to Woods for all he has done for the club and for himself, but is now looking firmly forward.

“What I’ll be able to bring, because I’m from here, is loyalty ... I’ve done nothing but fight to get the club in the situation where it is now ... We’re in the second tier of professional rugby league ... that’s great. But now let’s kick on to the next thing.” Hood says.

There is an underdog feel to Gateshead Thunder. They are not from the traditional rugby league region, the ‘M62 belt,’ and have major clubs like Newcastle Falcons and Newcastle United to compete with for fans. This factor just makes them all the more appealing. And with half the team hailing from the northeast, Gateshead Thunder are a truly Tyneside team that you can be proud to support.