MP’s ‘huge honour’ as he is made patron of city children’s charity

A FORMER government Minister has described being inducted as the patron of a Sheffield charity for children with cerebral palsy as a “huge honour”.

Robert Halfon, Conservative MP for Harlow, who is currently chairman of the Education Select Committee, took on the role at Paces, a specialist centre for children and adults with cerebral palsy and other similar motor disorders.

The former Education Minister was born with a moderate version of spastic diplegia, a form of cerebral palsy, and was treated at Claremont Hospital in Sheffield as well as at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

Mr Halfon was in Sheffield yesterday at the request of Spencer Pitfield, a former Conservative Parliamentary candidate and director of Conservative Workers & Trade Unionists. Describing the move to make him a patron as a “huge honour”, he said: “I didn’t walk for quite a few years; at the time a doctor said to my parents that I wouldn’t walk, but I have been able to walk, thanks to Great Ormond Street and also Claremont Nursing Home. “The professor who helped me to walk, when he retired his number two was in Sheffield. I don’t normally get involved in this kind of thing but it is a huge honour to be asked. “I had this operation and was able to walk. It is a big thing, I had a lot of operations over the years, I tried to block some of it out.

“It does have an effect on you, it makes you very determined and strong and a fighter. In some ways it has been a blessing. I wouldn’t have been the person I am if not for the disability.”

He tweeted later: “I’m honoured to be named patron of Paces today, in its 20th year, to meet the students and staff and learn more about the amazing work they do for children with cerebral palsy – thank you for all you do.”

As well as visiting Paces, Mr Halfon also spoke to students at Birkdale School in Sheffield and visited Sheffield Children’s Hospital to raise awareness of its campaign for a helipad.

Describing his visit to the school, he said: “It was great; they asked me everything from Donald Trump and Jerusalem to employment and university tuition fees, there were some pretty amazing questions.”