It is clear from the many invitations I receive to visit businesses, charities, schools and individuals in Brentwood and Ongar that we live in a thriving and busy community.
Brentwood Chamber of Commerce invites me every year to address one of its meetings, and it is always a pleasure to meet members of this group which provides support and information to so many local businesses and business people in the town. I always enjoy hearing about the work its members do, and enjoy sharing some of the behind the scenes tales of life as a Member of Parliament and, currently, Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office.
This month I have also visited the wonderful staff and fundraisers at St Francis Hospice, which lies just outside the boundary of my constituency, but which provides palliative care and end of life and bereavement support to many families in Brentwood, Ongar and the villages. St Francis Hospice is an admirable place, and adept at running some wonderful events to raise its profile and keep funds flowing in the help those who are most in need.
Another organisation, set up to mentor and support young people in Brentwood and beyond who are in danger of veering from the straight and narrow path of law abiding life, is the 21UP Movement led by Perry Blake. Perry is young , enthusiastic and a great mentor to teenagers who are in danger of falling in with the wrong crowd.
I visited Perry and was overwhelmed by his tide of enthusiasm for the work he is doing, and the plans he has in place to help young people in the town. I’m putting Perry in touch with some great local groups and contacts who should be able to help him find funds to bring his myriad ideas to fruition, but if you would like to help too you can find a GoFundMe page here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/21up-movement
As the summer weather finally arrives in time for half term I hope you have great plans to spend time with your children and families. Should you feel the urge to get out and raise money for local charities, do consider St Francis Hospice and the 21UP Movement, and so many other groups which can only survive due to the generosity of strangers.
