Bill sends strong message about British values
This week, we debated in Parliament the Police and Criminal Justice Bill, which seeks to back our police by equipping officers with the power and tools they need to keep themselves and our communities safe. This law will double jail sentences for those found guilty of assaulting emergency workers, introduce tougher sentencing for the worst offenders and end the scandal of ‘automatic halfway release’ from prison. It will also make Sussex roads safer by increasing the maximum penalty for causing death by drink or drug driving to life imprisonment. There can never be an excuse for getting behind the wheel of a vehicle when intoxicated, so this is most welcome. Together with Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne, I have been a big supporter of the ongoing efforts by Sussex Police to tackle anti-social and dangerous driving and I hope that these tougher penalties act as a strong deterrent.
One law that we can already celebrate passing is the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill, which I was in the Commons in person to support last Friday.
Britain was the first country in the world to recognise the importance of animal welfare, with the RSPCA dating back to 1824. Even today, the Great British public vote with their wallets to make animal welfare causes some of the
most popular in the country.
By enforcing tougher sentences for animal cruelty, we are continuing a proud tradition of protecting animals from abusers and sending a strong message about British values.
Alongside the brilliant work of GP’S across the Arundel & South Downs constituency, Sussex NHS Trust runs run a number of vaccine centres and on Saturday I was delighted to visit the team at the Westergate Leisure Centre in Chichester.
Although it lies within the constituency of my neighbour, Gillian Keegan MP, the centre serves many of the residents whom I represent so it was fantastic to see the spacious set up, the slick throughput of patients and – above all else – the wonderful team work of the friendly volunteers and professionals.
Whilst visiting, I presented them with a Covid Community Champions award – they truly are!
Get active today, and join our community of fundraisers who help St Wilfrid’s support over 900 patients and their loved ones each year with vital specialist care services such as symptom control, physiotherapies and bereavement support. Put the fun into fundraising by visiting stwh.co.uk/getactive to discover new activities and adrenaline charged challenges you can be part of in 2021. Here are some spring highlights...
Discover a new passion with our onehour flower workshops. Learn to create a beautiful and fresh displays for your home. Sign up at stwh.co.uk/getcrafting to receive all the flowers and accessories delivered to your home, then join us online live or receive the recorded tutorial from Libby of Rose & Ivy Floral Design.
Take on a sponsored 10,000ft free fall tandem skydive for St Wilfrid’s and experience a whole minute of free fall fun! All training is provided and everything is managed by experienced instructors in a Covid-safe training site lauded as the country’s best for first time jumpers.
Register at stwh.co.uk/leap4love.
Abseil a local landmark that stands taller than Big ben! Challenge yourself this summer with an incredible 100 metre descent down the iconic Spinnaker Tower and enjoy panoramic views of the south coast and beyond. Register at stwh.co.uk/ abseil.
Climb one of the world’s largest sand dunes in the Sahara with our sixday overseas trek for 2022 now open for applications. Register for our free online info evening on April 27, led by an experienced trek leader at stwh.co.uk/ saharatrek.
All of St Wilfrid’s exciting adrenalinefueled challenges come with flexidate guarantees so you can book with confidence. We also have something for green thumbs, quizzes to test your grey matter and DIY kits for fundraisers for those who want to help from home!
For 34 years St Wilfrid’s has delivered compassionate end of life care in the heart of our community completely free to patients and their loved ones. Something possible only thanks to the ongoing support of local people like you.