I want to save local NHS services, despite abuse

“Parliament will meet as normal. We will come together as normal. And Londoners - and others from around the world who have come here to visit this great city - will get up and go about their day as normal. They will board their trains, they will leave their hotels, they will walk these streets, they will live their lives. And we will all move forward together, never giving in to terror and never allowing the voices of hate and evil to drive us apart” AS one of the key campaigners from the Official Hands Off HRI campaign I felt the need to write to the paper.

I personally got involved with this campaign firstly as a Huddersfield resident and secondly as an official for UNISON representing members at the local hospital, the very people that care for us.

I feel I have to defend myself as I have been called a thief, an embezzler and a fraud. My address was even posted. I have been called much worse but that would be unprintable.

Someone has written to my place of work in an attempt to get me disciplined.

The trolling on social media has impacted on my whole family and has been reported to the police.

I don’t want any sympathy. I want people to know that I am still here because I am passionate about the NHS. I want to save my local services.

I have been accused of campaigning for my own political gain which is totally untrue.

I work for a trade union and intend to do so for the forseeable future.

I also want people to know why I have kept the company in my name. I did this with the endorsement of people from the steering group. There were no financial procedures in place, no constitution and no terms of reference for the committees.

My employer encouraged me to do this as UNISON have invested so much in the campaign.

People need to remember the company and money is linked to HMRC and it’s in my name.

It’s public money and I wanted to make sure it was spent on the right things.

A lot of money was invested in the black-tie auction and it barely broke even.

After the general meeting directors will be appointed as all procedures will be in place.

We are all extremely honest people that got involved to save our hospital and nothing else. That is how it remains and will continue.