Supporting charities across the constituency

This week, Parliament held the annual State Opening of Parliament with the Queen’s Speech that traditionally sees Her Majesty outline the many Bills the government plans to pass over the coming year. This year the core theme was tackling the cost of living, improving our schools, health service and transport and growing jobs and the economy as we come out of the global Covid pandemic.

Sadly, Her Majesty reluctantly had to pull out of delivering this year’s speech in person due to health reasons.

We wish her well in her recovery and congratulate His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, who delivered it on her behalf.

On Friday, I toured the new RSPCA buildings at Mount Noddy Animal Centre ahead of its official opening on July 2.

I met the manager Susan Botherway, branch treasurer Maureen Fallon, trustee Isabelle Glenister and the rest of the team, who have sadly seen a post-lockdown influx of pets for rehoming.

Mount Noddy is solely reliant on people’s donations, with five charity shops based in Bognor, Chichester, Worthing, Horsham and Littlehampton, as well as fundraising events including the Mount Noddy Fun Dog Show and Fete on July 16 at Madehurst Cricket Club.

Following the RSPCA, I visited the Angmering headquarters of local charity Cancer United.

I was welcomed by the charity’s founder and chairman Jan Sheward, who showed me around their premises to see the great work they are doing to support patients through activities such as fitness and music.

They are currently supporting 450 members.

Jan and her wonderful team have built-up Cancer United into an impressive hub of activities to appeal to every cancer patient, and they have my full support as they look to expand their offering by moving to larger premises.

On Sunday, my wife and I joined hundreds of fundraisers at Arundel Castle Park for the Sussex Snowdrop Trust’s annual sponsored walk.

The trust is a Walberton-based charity which provides home nursing care for terminally-ill children, and the walk attracted many families to raise money for the trust whilst spending time together in the glorious May weather.