One of the most rewarding parts of my role as Rugby’s representative in Parliament is the opportunity to meet with the many charities and voluntary organisations who have made their home in our constituency. Both here and in Westminster, I have been impressed by the wide range of different groups who do incredible work locally, nationally and internationally.
Many charities, like so many other organisations, choose to make their home in Rugby because of our excellent transport links by road at the crossroads of the motorway network and by rail on the West Coast Mainline, providing easy access to the capital. It is important for charities to bring their work to the attention of Parliament and wherever possible I look to meet with these organisations, both in Rugby and in Westminster, to learn more about their activities. Two recent meetings were with the Haemochromatosis Society, which supports those who suffer from Iron Overload Disorder, and Deafkidz International who work on behalf of deaf children in developing nations. Both are based here in Rugby and do important work for those in need of support. These charities also act as campaigning organisations, raising awareness of challenges that many of us all too often do not realise exist.
When I met Steve Crump, the director of DeafKidz International in Parliament he and his colleagues explained the work they do protecting deaf children from abuse and neglect in some of the poorest countries in the world. This charity is doing some amazing work using the latest technology to help young people who are deaf, and who therefore can lack the skills to communicate clearly and stand up for themselves. DeafKidz International are working to combat this by providing appropriate counselling support using Video Relays. I know that many of my colleagues in Parliament, including those who like me have done charitable work in developing nations, were impressed by the work this local charity is doing right across the world.
Another important charity based in Rugby is the Air Ambulance Service, which recently moved to new headquarters at Butler’s Leap. Earlier this year I visited their team at their Rugby headquarters and expressed my support for all that they do in our community. The Air Ambulance Service employs over 30 people and provides lifesaving support across Rugby, Warwickshire and Northamptonshire. Now approaching nearly 30,000 missions flown since their founding in 2003, the Air Ambulance Service is one of the most successful charities in the area and I know enjoys a great amount of support from local residents.