The temperature has soared into the 30s for the past few days, with many people trying to beat the heat any way they can.

For Parade, it’s been a matter of shutting herself inside with the air conditioning blaring. 

For others they have been heading to the water – the pool in their backyard, Chifley Dam or the Bathurst Aquatic Centre.

The mercury is predicted to continue to stay in the mid-high 30s until Wednesday.

THIS time of year can be a struggle – lurking bills from Christmas and weeks of school holidays with not enough money to do everything that the kids want to do.

If you need a bit of advice to help you get your finances back on track, Parade has heard about Lifeline Central West’s services.

They offer face-to-face counselling to help people who are struggling with financial difficulties.

Lifeline’s financial counsellor if a community worker who will act, without a conflict of interest, as a negotiator and an advocate on behalf of people who are unable to manage their debts.

Check out Lifeline Central West’s website at www.lifelinecentralwest.org.au or call 1300 798 258 for assistance.

THE Australian Red Cross Blood Service is back in Bathurst this week and is ready to accept your life saving donations.

The mobile donor van will be at McDonald’s on Durham Street on Monday (12.45pm-7pm), Tuesday (9.15am-1.30pm) and Wednesday (9.15am-3.45pm).

There are a some eligibility criteria that must be met to make a donation, including that donors must be aged between 18 and 70 years old, healthy and have a weight of at least 50 kilograms.

To check out the further eligibility, visit www.donateblood.com.au/eligibility.

Appointments are recommended, call 13 14 95 to book.