Most MPs are natural exhibitionists so being invited to overdress for a universally acknowledged good cause is a no brainer. Thus, I joined many MPs last week for the ‘Wear it Pink’ launch at the House of Commons by Breast Cancer Now.
As well as being an awareness campaign ‘Wear it pink’ is one of the biggest fundraising events in the UK having raised nearly £40 million for life-changing breast cancer research and support over the last 20 years. 55,000 women and 400 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the UK, so looking a bit ridiculous to promote greater awareness is a small price to pay.
Thanks also to the local Lions who helped organise another round of prostate cancer screening through the charity Prostate Cancer Support Organisation and it was good to see such a good turnout of men again this year sensibly taking a simple precaution to avoid much bigger problems. You can find more details at PCaSO.org and thanks to all the organisations who promote such invaluable awareness campaigns.
A few years ago, I invited constituents to contribute to a UK Parliament Coronavirus Quilt being organised by Labour MP Dawn Butler as a symbol of unity during the challenging days we faced during lockdown. My Shoreham constituent Penny Davis rose to the challenge and produced a square for the quilt reflecting the locality and her activities. At last the quilt was completed joining together squares from constituencies across the country and it was on display in the Commons last week and I was delighted that Penny was able to pay a visit and see her contribution to the final result.
Incredibly it is that time of year again and I have just launched my appeal to local primary schools to design my official constituency Christmas card again so if you want to participate you have until November 17th to come up with a masterpiece!
