Mmmm that’s a bit of a conflation. 😀

Do you mean Flash Draw Winner or are you meaning the Win A Dinner draws?

Actually the answer to both is thousands of winners for both. 😊

Flash draw is a £5 credit to your PayPal account. Are you thinking of WinADinner, the sister site?

https://help.pickmypostcode.com/article/12-what-is-the-5-flash-draw

https://winadinner.com/daily-draw/

It's on my daily on stackpot page.There are a few sites, depends how you ask google.

Ah, 🤡🚪, but was you coming or going?

:-) :-)

🤣🤣

@Anon - That's a great title for a song.

All my surveys pay out. 😀

Do read the FAQ articles which tell you what to do when you have issues with external surveys:

https://help.pickmypostcode.com/article/89-surveys

https://help.pickmypostcode.com/category/102-surveys

Also, it is not uncommon for technical issues to occur, which is why there is FAQ article on that very subject:

https://help.pickmypostcode.com/article/156-technical-issues-with-external-surveys

You are under no obligation to complete external surveys as they have no impact on the draws. It is up to you whether you want to give them a try or not. You have the ability to turn off surveys from particular companies in 'My Account' - 'Privacy' (https://pickmypostcode.com/account/privacy/)

As the FAQs ask, please email admin the details of the external surveys and describe the scenario then they can help you.

Whingeing is banned before the weekend - it causes a lot of unnecessary effort for admin. Will all current and potential whingers please note! And also state within their whinge the following:

I have read and understood the rules.

I accept that a scam only occurs when I have lost money (whch I have not on this site).

I undertake to read and reply to all explanations, accepting that I am a pratt if the appelation applies.

Money offered on surveys is subject to me getting to the end before many of the thousands of others who are also completing it around the country, when the survey company achieves their target figures. If I don't get there in time, or I am not the type of person they want, I will be screened out and may get nothing. If nice kind admin pay the award, because I have reached 80%, it is coming out of PMP's funds, and I will be properly grateful.

If I have been on the site for over six months I know how it works and am just being a troublemaker. I will stand in the corner and face the wall for an hour.

They like having their tantrums and whinges. The offered solutions are too much effort, if they every bother to read them.

🧙‍♂️🧑‍🦯

I almost always get paid for surveys. On the rare occasions I haven’t…twice in 12 months, the Admin team add the bonus manually. The FAQ explain the process quite clearly and there are dozens of clear posts from Admin every week for folk who haven’t found their way to the instructions.

I don’t understand why people don’t read their replies or check out the instructions. Surely that’s the first step rather than whinging or having a tantrum?

Dexter / John F and others.

If your browser is set not to accept cookies then you may well have these issues. Try whitelisting the relevant sites and see if that cures the problem. I have cookies and cross-scripting disabled and occasionally it does have unwanted consequences even though the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages.

@ John F, Em has explained what to do on this thread!! AND she explained exactly the same thing to you yesterday!!

Payment for completed surveys not being received.

Please explain how you have lost nearly £5. This is a free site.

As Em says, you are under no obligation to complete the surveys, and if you want guaranteed payment you should probably register with an official survey site like You Gov or the many other commercial market survey companies. On here, it's really just a bit of fun that also hopefully helps boost your bonus. You should, of course, get your 5p if you are screen out, and if you don't, take a screenshot and email it to admin. When I do a survey, I'm often pleased to get the 5p instead of spending half an hour answering questions! The admin team can't control how these surveys work or guarantee that you will get through to the end and get the full reward. As I say, you'd be better off registering with a site like Freecash if that's what you're looking for.

Please read our FAQ articles which tell members what to do when they have issues with external surveys:

https://help.pickmypostcode.com/article/89-surveys

https://help.pickmypostcode.com/category/102-surveys

They are not scammers. As the external surveys are advertised across many sites, there could be many people completing the surveys at once, potentially hundreds, and it is possible that your demographic bracket (age range, gender, location, employment status, where you shop etc) could reach its quota at any point, while you are in the middle of the survey or even at the end. It is just the nature of market research.

Also, it is not uncommon for technical issues to occur, which is why we have an FAQ article on that very subject:

https://help.pickmypostcode.com/article/156-technical-issues-with-external-surveys

Members are under no obligation to complete, or try to complete, external surveys as they have no impact on our draws. It is up to you whether you want to give them a try or not. You have the ability to turn off surveys from particular companies in 'My Account' - 'Privacy' (https://pickmypostcode.com/account/privacy/)

As our FAQs ask, please email us the details of the external surveys and describe the scenario to us and then we can help you.

It's disgusting that so much skill & effort is wasted on, well, wasters. Mr Tom was in resus when a (gormless) young bloke came in following a woman on a trolley, he was telling her she'd taken an overdose. A couple of hours later they were trying to get her to leave & she wouldn't go! 'No, I was asleep! I'm not going!' People couldn't get a berth & this creature..... I would cheerfully have manhandled her to the carpark & put my boot up her backside. 🤬 As for her sidekick, him & his Asda carrier full of crisps & Carling.... Where do they come from?

Hear hear Em 👏🏻👏🏻

I was in A&E last week mid afternoon having arrived by ambulance with an elderly relative.The paramedics apologised as we had a short wait to which I replied a short wait was no problem as I expect there were people in greater need.

Hmmm…..on arrival passed a cubicle where a very drunk man was throwing up and swearing at staff.Initially I was asked to sit outside the cubicles where I watched 2 groups of police escort a girl and man trying to lunge at each other and another man who appeared to be having an issue with drugs he had taken.

All of those things needed dealing with but probably not by good old A&E!

The paramedics told me that their skills are only needed 30% of the time as lots of calls they attend should be going to minor injuries or mental health,if it still existed.

Why can so many in the service see the problems but no one listens?

This is not asking for any money, so it is OK to share. It is a petition to urge the Health Secretary to boost cancer services, at all stages of the cancer pathway.

It is going to be a difficult problem to solve. There is a lot of awareness of cancer symptoms, so many people are getting diagnosed which is good, but there are only so many Oncology staff and appointments in each hospital or trust. There are just not enough resources and so many NHS trusts are in debt and are unable to hire more people to get through the heavy workload and backlog. My local trust has a hire freeze, for example.

There are just so many cancer patients and not enough resources. I doubt that the government will ever have enough funds available to meet the NHS's full financial needs and throwing money at the problem is not going to fix it, anyway.

My husband & I are seeing the problem for ourselves with his cancer journey.

Welcome to come over to see puppies, Em - I don’t often get colds, so not a problem.

Happy board games to Simon.

Idea for one of your questions, what's your favourite and least favourite board game?

Thank you, Happy. Luckily, working from home is not strenuous and I have got everything I need. I'm just a bit woolly-headed, bunged up and my sinuses hurt, but at least it's not flu.

Simon is doing a board game afternoon with his friends tomorrow, if he's up to it. I'll just camp on the sofa, rest and recover. I was going to see my best friends at the same time, but I don't want to share my germs.

I hope you have a good weekend too.

Em, Glad Simon is feeling better, and hope you feel better from your cold soon.

I hope you hear very soon on the biopsy news, 🙏🙏 I can only imagine how the wait is having an effect on you both.

But hope you both have a good weekend. Sending virtual hugs your way. X

He is better, thank you. He's kindly shared the cold with me so he's now the one feeling the best.

We haven't had any biopsy news yet, all we've been told is that they're trying to find us an appointment. So maybe it has come back ... problem is that the NHS has its leave over the tax year so everyone is using up the last of their leave this month. Hopefully we'll hear soon. The wait is not fun.

I would have thought that the metal would act a bit like a Faraday cage, Beth. The signal would only go so far and be 'stuck', unable to pass through the rest of the way. I know that people often use silver foil to reflect things, but a pipe might actually block it. Not sure, though. Why not just buy a booster and plug it into or near the place you need it.

DSM - I know it will sound very stupid to anyone with more understanding of electronics than me (ie everyone) but theoretically, if you passed a metal rod through a concrete wall, would it conduct a signal through via Bluetooth? OK, you can stop laughing, now.

Had my PAYG Key meter 'upgraded' to a Smart Meter last week at the 3rd attempt. Electricians couldn't get it to connect, so it's currently a DUMB smart meter and not PAYG.

Cust Services says it could tske 2 weeks for it to register on the database after which they can alter it to PAYG.

Mobile signal is abysmal in lounge and non-existing in the concrete walled cupboard the meter is in, so not holding my breath.

🧙‍♂️🧑‍🦯

I had fun in January with B.Gas. I calculated I owed less than £50 on each bill so paid that on both and phoned a reading in. They say on the website they'll "Correct and send out a new bill so you don't pay more than you should". I then phoned every day for about a fortnight to get a balance. Then I got reminders, threats of charges and then balances reduced by £50 but still letters. I spoke to 2 or 3 people to explain but still no change. Eventually got someone who told me it was with the back office and the bill would be sent. Took about six weeks and one was in credit, but they'd taken my reading, then estimated right up to the day they sent the new bill, so a further six week which then left me with a debit which I paid, so despite my bills being quarterly so not due till around now, half of it has already been paid. Twice I was told they'd put it through as a complaint yet nothings happened so I'll be forced to email a complaint in. Very very typical of B.Gas.

Thanks for reminding us, the community, Beth.

👏👏👏

Oooooooh!

Groan.

:-) :-)

It gets worse 😂😂

Thanks, I’ll have a look.

I was on a hotel to Disney park riverboat on Orlando, Florida, which is all reclaimed swampland. The riverboat pilot pointed out the sign at the side of the river saying "Alligators - Keep out" and warned us that unfortunately, the alligators can't read.

@ A :-)

I was on a coach trip years ago to Woburn Safari Park. Shortly before we reached the coach parking, the driver remarked, "There's a zebra crossing". There was indeed.

(Sound effect of wind gently blowing.

Tumbleweed rolls across the screen.)

Our FAQ article - https://help.pickmypostcode.com/article/89-surveys - explains that we can help if you email us at admin@pickmypostcode.com with the details listed within the article.

We can help those who reach 80% completion or beyond by manually adding the full offered amount. Anything less than that, we can add the 5p Screen Out Bonus.

Happy anniversary! My friend got a card from the King & Queen, her daughter organised it. No charge. The one from the pope cost £80! Maybe the CofE should do something similar (don't know if they do) they could pay for a lot of rooves!

I think your achievement deserves a card anyway.🎉💐👏

🎉Happy 💎Anniversary to you both!🎉

LLAP 🖖!

Happy Anniversary to you both, hope you had a lovely day.

🎂Happy Belated Birthday, JintyMac🎂

I did Titchy, thanks.

Hope you've had a lovely day, many congratulations.

Thanks Beth and Damsel 👍

Congratulations on your anniversary CS. I arranged the card from the Queen for my parents 60th anniversary and another one from King Charles for their 65th anniversary.

Happy birthday JintyMac 🎉🎂

That’s a great achievement! Congratulations.

🥰🤗 Thank you everyone for your good wishes 🤗🥰

My goodness, you look far too young! Happy Anniversary!

Congratulations! Hope you enjoy your celebrations. Yes, I organised a card from HM Queen when my parents reached their diamond anniversary.

Congratulations 🥂🥂

Many congratulations

Congratulations to you both - enjoy!

Congratulations 💎💎💎

Happy Diamond Anniversary , enjoy your special day 💎xxx

Hearty congratulations from the Palace........ (Hotel, in Paignton). 👏👍

(We're 4 years behind you.)

Many congratulations CS

That's quite an achievement

Happy 60th anniversary 🥳. Enjoy your meal with the family on Sunday 🍾.

Happy Birthday JintyMac 🥳🎂

Happy Birthday JintyMac! Hope you have had a good day and have a lovely evening.

Congratulations to the Chocolate Spaniels. 40 short of the century, so keep the concentration going, don't want to give your wicket away now having done all the hard work 😁

Congratulations to you both. That is some achievement. 👏

It’s also my birthday.

Congratulations CS and Mr CS.

We arranged a card from the late queen for our parents. Mam could not have been more delighted if the queen herself had delivered it. Dad didn’t get a look in!

Happy anniversary to the Spaniels. I've had friends that didn't live for 60 years.

Happy anniversary! 🍾🥂 You must have been a child bride😜 My mum arranged for my grandparents to have a card from the late queen for their diamond anniversary back in 1966.

Thanks all, sunny but cold today Cakey.

Didn't know about that Enver!

Congrats Mr & Mrs CS, it's cloudy here but hope you have better weather for the weekend,

Google says you can get a message from HM The👑 King?

Congratulations! 🎉

We have two years to go.

Congratulations. Enjoy your roast. If there are too many roasties, put them in a plastic bag and put them in the freezer. I'll collect them later.

Congratulations to you and your OH

🥂Happy 60th Anniversary🥂

Congratulations. Have a lovely weekend.

Congrats. You must have got married about the same time as I did. Unfortunately My wife only survived to our 25th.

60 years where does the time go. HA 2 U both...

Congrats to you both.Have a wonderful day.🎂🍾🥂

Happy anniversary CS. The sun is shining here today under a clear blue sky; I hope the day is being similarly kind where you are.

Thanks all, we're getting together with all the family this weekend and having a Sunday roast at our favourite restaurant.

Happy anniversary to you both, that’s quite an achievement 🥂

Happy anniversary! 😀

Are you swanning around, dripping in diamonds? 😆😆

Congratulations, enjoy your day.

Happy Anniversary Mr & Mrs Chocolate Spaniel! Hope you do something nice to celebrate.

Thieves have broken into a government warehouse and stolen all the dark blue trousers.

Police are looking - well, a bit silly really!

Or...

Someone stole the toilet from the local police station - detectives say they have nothing to go on...

🤣🤣

That is almost as good as the one where a mysterious hole opened up in the road and the police are looking into it.

You are forgiven ;-)

Now there's a thought, Trekker!

I had to thrw my slipper at Storm and Woody tonight - they were literally ripping apart a new sheet I had just put on the floor, and I had already stopped them twice when they tore up the previous ones. I hadtapped their nose, said NO! sternly, showed them the torn sheets and made it quite clear they were not to do it. They grovelled, apologised, promised not to do it again, then immediately started again. They knew it was not allowed - were very sneakily nibbling on it with their backs to me, and looked up a couple of times, so they knew exactly what they were doing. My slipper landing on them gave them quite a shock, and they immediately spat out the sheet and looked horrified at it - 'Oh dear, look at this sheet - wonder who did that! Not me, mum!' Big sighs and they flounced off to pick on the other two, starting WWIII for the next twwenty minutes.

Hi Samandi…. I hope you meant to write “ate” in your comment above…🤔 (either that, or the pups did something REALLY naughty…😲!)

LLAP 🖖!

The one they are in was supposed to be big enough to use outdoors as a playpen, but there’s no way I could cart it in and out each time - and what would they be doing while I moved it! They are outside about three or four times a day for around 20 mins or so, depending on the weather (and my energy level and what my nerves can stand). They move so fast! Today Woody excelled himself - I have a worktop caddy for peelings and food waste that goes in the compost. I let the puppies outside, took the caddy up the garden and emptied it and put it down to take back. Woody came to investigate, so I lifted up the handle for him, he grabbed it and rushed off across the garden, carrying it. Even Indi struggles with it, not because of the weight but because it is so awkward. She hates carrying it. I got a good video and a couple of still shots which I will send over. I was very impressed with him.

Shame you don't have spare gates. You could assemble a crate outside and wait for them to do their buisiness and praise them and celebrate like crazy when they go.

You'd need another crate to keep them all in your eye sight and catch them doing it to praise them.

Certainly no sign of anythng irregular so far - all squabbling, wrestling, shrieking and eating well -- very well - and what is coming out the other end looks, unfortunately, just as copious and revolting as usual!

One good sign - Poppy/Ruby is spending a couple of hours with stepson and his girlfriend most evenings in his lounge. He has put up the smaller crate there, with some puppy pads in, and she actually goes back into the crate now to perform! Wish she would show her brothers how to do that! though they don't usually poo outside, just widdle - how can three boys go about five yards from their crate to the back door and still manage to widdle twice before I can open it? Still, my neighbour always said boys are mucky little blighters - she was talking abut her sons.

That reminded me of a work colleague who's labrador pups are her sofa cushions and a large chunk of carpet. Labs are very lovable but so mischievous.

Little Owl. Oh dear! You really shouldn't have mentioned that. Let's hope 'he' doesn't see it. Those boxes are designed by Robert Frederick in Bath, but, and what a serious but, Robert Frederick source numerous products of theirs from China and have a dedicated office in Hong Kong to oversee manufacturing. As someone once said "we're doomed...doomed". 🤣

I hope they are ok - very worrying. I have some decorative storage boxes (Beatrix Potter theme) from The Works - they are strong and the lid assembles with press studs - easy to lift with integrated handles.

Even puppies recognise what great deals you can get from Temu. And just to add to any other ridiculous comments: If puppies use products from budget sites, their legs 'may' fall off, whatever that means. I do hope they're okay, just keep an eye on them if they're using products from such a terrible 'type' of site. There are some great jokes on here.

Unfortunately I hadn't wound my brain up far enogh to monster-proofing the house yet - all my filing is in a shoe-box under the table, waiting to be carted out to the filing cabinet in the shed. Well, it was in a shoe-box. It is now jumbled in a heap of torn cardboard. I also caught the blessed little termites eating my skirting board through the bars of the pen - it now has lots of vertical, parallel gouges. Luckily I am going to change it all when I redecorate - well, I haven't got much choice now, have I?

You might get some very colourful puppy business/poops!

Though I hope that they haven't eaten any paint.

You should have put a lock on the cupboard like you have to with some children.

Like Chocolate Spaniel, I did laugh. You are going to miss them when they've gone, although I know Poppy will still be around. Good luck with the painting and the dentist!

Just be careful..painting sets from Temu were flagged to avoid…”Toxic Materials: Some studies and reports have flagged that products from budget sites like Temu may contain high levels of heavy metals.

Safety Regulations: Products on the platform may not comply with the strict safety standards or regulations required in some countries.

Recommendations: It is advised to use caution, especially if purchasing for children, and to avoid prolonged skin contact with the paints.

At least they did not try painting!They are obviously now full of energy and looking for trouble.

Good job they didn’t chew up the canvas too! Good luck at the Dentist 🤞

That vision made me laugh! 🤣🤣🤣

I do actually like paying in cheques via the First Direct banking app even if the photo might take a couple of tries sometimes.

With my previous remote bank I had to write out a paying in slip, pop that and the cheque into a printed, postage paid envelope, go to a post box, post it and then hope that Royal mail would get it there without losing it or delaying it for more than 3 months.

Enver Now you've got me worried. The cheque is from Royal Mail for the gatepost they ripped off the wall. It wouldn't surprise me to find there's no funds to cover it.

Trouble is, the cheque is in your account straight away, but doesn’t clear for several days. It is quicker to clear at the bank but if you’re not in a hurry it’s definitely a better way to do it.

If you deposit at the PO, the postie collects from them about 6pm, that goes to the sorting office by 7.30pm, which is then sorted in the night shift 10pm - 6am & forwarded to the area delivery office for early morning 9am delivery... If your bank is on the ball the money will be credited (temporarily assuming it will be cleared) by about midday.

If it doesn't clear for any reason, the amount will be debited from your account & the cheque returned to you for later re-presentation when funds to cover it should then be available.

The drawer will also be deducted a penalty for not having the money in the account, at one time it was illegal to write cheques with no funds to cover them.

@Little Owl, you could have withdrawn the £5 from your a/c in the post office (with a chip n pin), you can also deposit (with a chip n pin card, except Nationwide) in the post office too 😊

I'm with First Direct too. I just have to take a photo of both sides of a cheque and the money is in my account within 24 hours.

Worth all the hassle, A Nick Name. I recall having to take 2 buses into town to withdraw the £5 I had left in my bank account as the cashpoints don't dispense £5 notes any more. It would have been much easier to go to the post office.

Been there. I'm with first direct, can't pay in unless I use a P.O or HSBC. HSBC have closed most branches in my area and others I visit. I only use cash as in my opinion cash is king, so paying in at the post office works for now.

That's progress for you A N N

Beth Soon you'll be hearing "they identify as....". What a crock of

Little Owl. I don't know the programme but could Harry Wild be Harriet?

Little Owl - No,no,no! Hate it! So glad they saw sense - though I admit to being a bit cynical, like Saphicat. However, they need me to look after her some of the time, so I don’t think they would risk it.

How peculiar to call a girl dog a boy's name. I can imagine the confusion when other dog walkers ask the puppy's name. Could lead to "accidents" if she is on heat!

The could have had Nigella, but animals tend to respond to short names with an ee sound at the end (just like the name you chose!). There is a good drama on at the moment called Harry Wild (it took me a while to cotton on that Jane Seymour is "Harry")..

Personally I thought Ruby was an excellent name. 😊

...... and you believe they'll stick to that after they have possession 🤔

I could understand unisex names, but why would you use a male name for a female. At least Poppy fits nicely since they are also red.

Mad as bananas!!

Are they MAD ;-)

What a strange thing to want to do! Glad you got them to change their minds.

What a great choice of name! ☺️

Good for you Beth, and along with you I would love to know why she calls females by male names or vice versa.

Glad that's sorted.

Cheers folks x

I hope that you and your family can now focus on yourselves and take time to process your grief.

Glad to hear you got it sorted out Kb..

Good for you not giving up.

Really glad it's sorted out now.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Thanks folks x

I third that. Glad it has been resolved.

Glad it's all sorted.

Well done Kb, glad it is all resolved

Thanks for your reply em just curious I sometimes do them and sometimes not!

When we ask demographics type questions on our Survey Draw, the answers can be used to match you to the external surveys, made by other companies. However, members are under no obligation to complete the external surveys as they have no impact on our draws.

Many of the Survey Draw questions/surveys are ones which clients pay us to ask. We have a market research site, Find Out Now, through which clients can contact us to request market research, opinion polls etc. These paying clients are part of what enables us to be a free prize draw giveaway.

Hello Anonymous,

You have not said what the delays have been with your mother's life policy (I assume it is a life policy).

Have you considered approaching the Financial Ombudsman?

Two years appears to be excessive in my mind.

I should say that I worked for a high street bank between 1978 and 2000.

You've started a new thread by mistake. For the future ... https://help.pickmypostcode.com/article/109-how-do-i-reply-to-a-comment

My mum had the same problem with sun life, nearly two years since my brother passed, and still no further forward. Absolutely rubbish

Where there's a will there's a relative!🤣 Though, actually trustees can override the wishes of the deceased as to who inherits the pension or how it's divided. This is made clear when you make your 'expression of wishes' which one should always, like ones will, make sure is still in line with ones wishes & that spouses etc are named. We've also seen an occasion where a will wasn't updated & a second husband got the lot, left it to his child & the wife's own children got nothing, despite the considerable fortune being actually amassed by deceased wife's FIRST husband.

It's also worth noting that an insurer or a pension company will not pay out until they receive an official copy of the Death Certificate. When my mother died last year, aged 98, living with dementia and in a care home, the GP would not sign off the Death Certificate without a post-mortem being conducted. This process took several months and during that time everything was frozen. The funeral could not take place, bills could not be paid and employment pensions continued to be paid into my mother's account only to be reclaimed later.

All of which is right and proper, as we would not want a situation where a family member could ring up a pension provider or insurer, tell them that someone had died and arrange for the money to be paid out while in fact the person was still alive and well. It can be frustrating but it ensures that a fund is only paid out to the right people at the right time. And, believe me, there are families out there who have members who would not be above such a stunt. People have been known to behave unethically where there is money to be had.

Bob is right, pensions MUST have beneficiaries specified or the pension company will decide who it goes to, whether you have made a will or not. It is outside Will specifications and if anyone hasn't sorted out or updated their nominees to receive it, it would be a good idea to do it , pref before they need to decide for you!

I've heard a lot of horror stories re: Aviva and sadly, these things always happen when you are at your most vulnerable and most in need of help and support. So sorry for your loss.

@Kat - this is a little known issues with pensions. You have to inform them who the beneficiaries are if you pass away. Your private pension is not part of your estate (for the time being), so if there are no beneficiaries logged, then they will go back through the probate to the closest relatives, whether disinherited or not. Happened to friend of my wife, she got divorced and he re-married, but when he died suddenly, he'd forgotten to change the beneficiary part of his pension, and she got the lot. I suspect wife number 2 was not best pleased

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. My thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time. Take care of yourself.

Kat,, they can go 8 weeks before you will get a deadlock letter and ombudsman won’t look at it until after 8 weeks negotiating anyway. It’s a shame they are being like this, Kenny, as I have used them for all mymedical claims and they have been pretty good - a couple of queries when I had to remind them who they were dealing with ! and I must say their phone staff, though very nice, do have very strong accents, which made it hard to understand sometimes, but they have not been a problem at paying.

Sorry for your loss Kenny..

Just tell them to furnish you with a 'Deadlock' letter. It's generally a last resort when you can't agree but asking, in writing, might rattle the cage. With that letter you go to the ombudsman, it's free. Also, there's an association of insurers who might give them a kick though, in fairness, six weeks isn't long unless you are waiting to pay expenses. In that case it's a pain. My friend is still waiting for a pension to decide to pay out after she was named as sole beneficiary. Company has sent claims forms to two disinherited 40 + year old children. That's normal apparently because obviously people with pensions have no business naming beneficiaries, trustees are omnipotent! 🙀 Yes I know it's the law but it's a law which is causing real heartache

Sorry for your loss, Kenny b.

Aviva will tell you any excuse NOT to pay up, & won't put anything in writing.

They're probably scouring his health records to find anything undeclared, which could make the policy invalid, so be prepared.

Aviva did this with my mum and my dad was going to just forget it as it was a low payout owing. We did get it eventually. I won’t even use them for car insurance. Good luck with your claim and keep on at them as they do want people to give up.

Kenny, sorry for your loss.

It's disgusting that companies behave like this, especially at a time when you are grieving. I hope you get things sorted soon.

I hope you get it resolved soon but not the kind of thing you need in the circumstances.

Sorry for your loss Kenny. Don't let them get away with it.

I remember when Simon & I were learning the Argentine Tango and they told me to engage my core and I couldn't do it. (The instructor actually shouted at me, so I didn't go back) So I might struggle. But you have to challenge yourself for a fundraising event.

ANN, excellent.

I have arthritis in my spine , but because I've built up core strength over many years of yoga and physio and now Tai Chi, I can "plank" relatively easily. It's one of the best for building core strength.

Rosy 2 cakes. You've made my day. My whole body is falling apart as I've said to friends numerous times recently due to so many health issues but I just got down and tried both and can do them for much longer than stated. I felt it shouldn't be a problem for me and now confirmed it so I feel really good. I've never done weightlifting but probably lifted as much as many do, regularly, so maybe all that has done me some good, apart from giving me arthritis. At least my core strength seems to be good.

I do planks in yoga, and for these we have to lower ourselves slowly to the count of 5. The trick really is to use the core muscles and then it's not painful. I do find however hand planks are more painful for me as I have arthritic hands.

I note on the Cancer research website they have a physio " workout" to build core strength. Planks are harder to do without core strength.

The website gives this info for hand and elbow planks.Advice on how to plank correctly

Elbow Plank

Lie on your front propped up on your forearms and toes. Keep your legs straight and hips raised to create a straight and rigid line from head to toe. Your shoulders should be directly above your elbows. Focus on keeping your abs contracted during the exercise. Hold this position for 5 to 10 seconds and repeat 8 to 10 times.

Tips

Don't allow your lower back to sink during the exercise.

You should be looking at the floor.

Hand Plank

Prop yourself on hands and toes. Keep your legs straight and hips raised to create a straight and rigid line from head to toe. Your shoulders should be directly above your elbows. Focus on keeping your abs contracted during the exercise. Hold this position for 5 to 10 seconds and repeat 8 to 10 times.

Tips

Don't allow your lower back to sink during the exercise.

You should be looking at the floor.

Is this what you are doing ANN for your hold for 4 days Plank ??

Good luck Em. 👍🙂🦸‍♀️

@ Lol 63. I have the same issue. Getting down (falling) I have no problem with. It is the getting up afterwards that I struggle with..

Thank you to those people who have paid into my Cancer Research fundraiser.

@ ANN - I can't imagine what you're doing as a basic plank and think you can hold it for 4 days. I started a plan that builds you up gradually and could only do approx 20 seconds for a couple of days. I built up to a couple of minutes by the end of the 2nd week - and that was only doing the basic.

@ Em. There's not much left of March but, you could try planking against a wall/door to start you off. Google Wall plank & try it 😉

I can't even do push ups! No matter how strong & fit I've been, & believe me I have, I cannot do some things. I wish you well Em!🤞👍

I only fairly recently learned about 'plank' and when I found out it was the basic plank, on your arms. I thought why would anyone have problems with that? I appreciate there are some with problems, myself included, but the basic is fairly simple. It leaves me to wonder what is actually involved as I could probably hold that for four days. Is the challenge something different, as even on my hands seems simple. Or are they moving on to raising legs etc?

I might be able to do a "plank" but getting up again afterwards could be a different story.

Thank you. If you want to give to Cancer Research, here is my Cancer Research fundraising page:

https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/emmas-giving-page-326820086

I am hoping that I'll be able to occasionally ask Simon to record me doing it so that I can periodically share videos of how I am improving my planking time.

Good luck, Em. I will gladly sponsor you as well. I cannot do the plank as I have early-onset OA in my hips and back.

Same here.

Good luck to you Em, and anyone else who is doing it. My back is really bad as I keep putting it out, so I can't do it. If your being sponsored I would gladly donate.