Monthly Bulletin - October 2015

Henry Smith MP, Crawley Bulletin, October 2015

Supporting Muscular Dystrophy UK

Ahead of World Duchenne Awareness Day in September, I was in contact with a policy officer at Muscular Dystrophy UK, who told me that there are around 35 people in West Sussex affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Many people reading this column will be aware of one young man living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in Crawley; five year-old Noah Elkington.

At the Hawth last week, Crawley’s own Romesh Ranganathan hosted a show he put together which raised a fantastic £11,647.99 for Muscular Dystrophy UK and the Elkington family. The money raised has gone to support Noah and the Elkington family, as well as to Muscular Dystrophy UK.

If you would like to donate to ‘Noah’s Love’ – the fundraising page set up by his family, please visit: www.gofundme.com/ksdhc4

Columns

British Heart Foundation: Visited the furniture and electrical shop in Crawley to say thank you to volunteers. The Crawley BHF shops are always looking for unwanted items such as clothes, shoes, accessories, books and DVDs – and do pop in to find yourself a bargain for a great cause!

Wear It Pink: Proud to be a Breast Cancer Ambassador for Breast Cancer Now. Across the country, around 50,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each day, and sadly nearly 12,000 women still lose their lives.

Devolution: In my role as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Communities Secretary, I am playing a part in ensuring power leaves Whitehall and goes to local communities. One of the recent devolution schemes has seen co-operation between the Conservative Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Labour Leader of Manchester City Council. It is most welcome to see a cross-party consensus on this important issue.

National Citizen Service: Supporting the Crawley Town Community Foundation’s NCS programme. Young people on the Foundation’s Autumn Programme have recently returned from their residential course in Buckinghamshire, and are currently undertaking community projects back here in Crawley. For the latest, please follow @CrawleyTownCF on Twitter.

Other News

Fall in Crawley unemployment: Pleased to see that there are fewer people in Crawley claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance; down by 192 in the last year, and a drop of 60 per cent since this time in 2010. Three quarters of the growth in employment since 2010 has been in full-time positions.

Every Child a Lifesaver: Teaming up with St John Ambulance, the British Heart Foundation and the British Red Cross to support the campaign to make first aid compulsory in all state-funded secondary schools.

Public access defibrillators and CPR training: Supporting the BHF’s campaign to make these facilities more widely available throughout England. Grateful to the Department of Health for investing £1 million to improve defibrillator availability.

Three Bridges Traincare facility: Welcomed the Transport Secretary to town to officially open a facility which will help improve the rail network. At the end of 2018, trains will flow in and out of central London every two to three minutes, giving a service of up to 24 trains per hour at peak times.

Crawley drivers: Backing a MoneySuperMarket campaign to save motorists in our town over £2.3 million on car insurance

Westminster Dog of the Year Show: Looking forward to taking my five month old beagle, Frisbee, for walkies in Westminster! There is of course a serious side – to raise awareness of the importance of animal welfare issues – as Co-Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare I continue to campaign for improved treatment.

As Member of Parliament for Crawley, please do not hesitate to let me know if I may be able to assist; either by writing to me at the House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA, calling my office on 01293 934554, or via email directly at: [email protected]

To keep up to date with my various activities in Crawley and up in Westminster, please follow me via:

With my best wishes, as ever

Henry