Robert Marshall-Andrews

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Anne and Pat are our 'local heroes' at the Experience Corps' MPs local hero tea party at the House of Commons

Anne and Pat joined Bob Marshall-Andrews MP at last Thursday's Local Hero tea party on the Terrace at the House of Commons. More than 50 English MPs and their local heroes selected from their constituencies for service to their communities through volunteering were invited to the event. It was sponsored by Tom Levitt MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Charities and the Voluntary Sector. Each Local Hero from around England enjoyed Afternoon Tea overlooking the River Thames and had their photograph taken with their MP presenting them with a recognition certificate from The Experience Corps.

Speaking about the two volunteers, Bob said: “Mrs Anne Wade of 9 Murray Road, Frindsbury (tele no 716433) I nominated as a hero for her outstanding long-term work for the Frindsbury and Wainscott Community Association which has included tireless and often successful representations on the Local Plan, numerous speculative planning applications and the preservation of historic, open spaces and paths.

“Mrs Pat Wilson of 16 Gordon Terrace, Rochester (tele no 831887) I nominated as a hero for her outstanding long-term work for the enhancement and preservation of local environments both individually and for the Open Spaces Society. She has had a long and lasting impact on the rural environment of this largely urban and industrial area.”

The new Home Office Minister Fiona Mactaggart MP spoke at the event and called for people to “celebrate volunteering, the ultimate act of citizenship”. This was her first public appearance since she was made Parliamentary Under Secretary of State with responsibility for the voluntary sector, communities and civic renewal. Speaking at The Experience Corps' sponsored event Mactaggart said, “We need to celebrate volunteering, it is the ultimate act of citizenship. I would like to thank The Experience Corps for giving Members of Parliament the opportunity to thank their own Local Hero and for us to remember the many thousands of people who contribute locally each day on a voluntary basis to our communities.” She added, “Local volunteering is citizenship in action.”

Maggie Semple, Chief Executive of The Experience Corps said, “Up and down England 30 MPs will be holding their own versions of this celebration for their local heroes. It is a great honour for The Experience Corps to have so many MPs who are supporting our work.”

The Experience Corps has a team of local representatives (called Animators) who work across England and help bring new members over the age of 50 together with suitable opportunities where they can use their skills and experience to actively benefit their local community. At present The Experience Corps has over 420,000 opportunities on their database and over 135,000 members.

To join The Experience Corps ring 0800 10 60 80 or log onto www.experiencecorps.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

• The Experience Corps is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee funded by a grant-in-aid from the Home Office
• The Experience Corps values the lifetime experience gained by people over 50. We are working to encourage people over 50 to offer their skills, experience and some of their time to actively benefit their local communities through civic participation.
• The Experience Corps has a network of local advisers, called Animators, working through four operational areas in England whose primary task is to match Members with opportunities.
• Working in collaboration with the voluntary sector, in neighbourhood partnerships and organisations in the statutory and private sectors we aim to raise the profile of community participation.