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Carers Week - celebration of the contribution
NEXT week (June 8 to 14) is this year's Carers Week. It's something I support each year because it's an opportunity to celebrate the contribution made by the hundreds of thousands of unpaid people who care for ill, frail or disabled family members or friends all around the UK.
But more than that, it's an opportunity for over ten national charities to get together and campaign for greater support for carers. Not for nothing is the theme for Carers Week 2009: 'Carers… the UK's secret service'.
Caring for a loved one can be demanding and difficult. It can affect people's health, finances, work and social life and yet carers quietly get on with it.
There is help available, however, and anyone needing information can go to: carersweek.org or call 0845 241 2582.
In last week's column I mentioned that I was going to a fund-raising picnic at Knepp Castle for the group campaigning against plans for a landfill at Laybrook Brickworks.
Also there was my colleague Nick Herbert – the site sits mostly within his constituency, and communities in both areas would be feel the effects – increased lorry traffic on minor roads and lanes, noise and light pollution, pests such as seagulls and smells.
Well, the weather was spectacular and the turnout impressive – about 500 people – and I am delighted to say that well over 18,000 was raised! Every pound will go to hiring experts and paying legal fees.
The campaign team should be very proud – this is a classic case of a community uniting to prevent an unwanted and unnecessary facility being forced upon them. The consultation period for the proposal hasn't even started yet but as soon as it does Nick and I will do everything we can to make the authorities see sense and ensure there is 'No Laybrook Landfill'!
Turning my attention to other constituency visits, today is going to be busy!
I'm meeting local people involved in the funding of CHASE, a local children's hospice. An organisation like this can never have enough money and I'm keen to catch up on what's new, how they are helping local families and how even more funds can be raised.
I'm then going to visit a community radio station – Trash Can Radio based in Broadbridge Heath. I've not visited before and want to learn more about the services they offer local youngsters.
I've then got a succession of home visits around my patch. I see people at home for a variety of reasons – often because they can't get to an advice surgery or because I'm already in their neck of the woods and it's easier for me to drop in.
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Weather for Horsham
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -7 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: East
