John Baron

Conservative Party | Billericay and District

Points of View

Fun Walk Progress

So far, 25 local charities and good causes (including schools) are joining us for our Fun Walk on the 22nd May at Barleylands Farm. This is excellent news and the number seems to be growing each day. As many readers will know, the aim of this walk is to raise money for local projects, as it is the smaller charities which can often struggle when it comes to fund raising.

My committee and I organise the walk and our emphasis is to try to make it as much fun as possible – there is a BBQ, a live band, refreshments, choice of walks and the Billericay Town Crier, Jim Shrubb, will be leading us off. There will also be an opportunity for all participating organisations to put up their stalls in a large barn in order to raise awareness of their particular projects.

This means that those taking part do not have to worry about any of the organisation and can concentrate on raising money through their own sponsorship efforts in the run up to the walk. In addition to the money raised themselves, participants will also receive additional sponsorship money as we have been successful in attracting corporate sponsorship (such as EDF Energy) which is distributed equally between all projects.

Since its inception in 2002, the walk has raised in total over £60,000 with last year being our best year so far with £25,000 having been raised. There is still time to register and if you wish to do so please phone Annie Akinin at my constituency office on 01268 520 765. All we now need is some good weather!

Macmillan Campaign

As Shadow Health Minister with responsibility for cancer, I have supported in Parliament the Macmillan Cancer Relief’s ‘Better Deal’ Campaign, which aims to stop cancer spreading to people’s finances.

Macmillan have found that more than half of all terminally ill cancer patients do not claim the Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance to which they are entitled, and this equates to £126 million of unclaimed disability benefits.

For many patients, money concerns are a cause of stress when they and their families least need it. Practical solutions, such as making available specialists benefit advice at diagnosis, are much needed from the Government. Having raised this issue recently in a Parliamentary debate, I will continue to question the Government until this gets put right.