My postbag and inbox are inundated with news of all manner of initiatives and projects from voluntary and official bodies designed to make the world a better place. I see my job as acting on these to make sure that local people know what is being done to help them and how they can help themselves.
This week I have been told, for example, of a major charitable effort to climb, walk and abseil the equivalent of the height of Mount Everest - a Guinness World Book of Records attempt - in support of Help for Heroes. The aim is for teams of everyday heroes from the emergency and military services to raise £1 million to support our war wounded who often have severe and life changing injuries. They have asked me to publicise this and I am happy to lend my support. Full details are available on www.hartrescue.org.uk.
I have also been given advance notice the National Tackling Drugs Week set for June and there will be local events. There was one last year which brought together a range of local experts and organisations. It was successful in highlighting the dangers of drug misuse and the vital work being done day in, day out to get drug misusers into treatment, offer advice and education to young people and support the families and friends of drug misusers.
I wish it well in combating the scourge of drugs which ravage too many young lives and their families. I will be contacting the organisers in order to play my small part in tackling this major social problem at a local level.
Finally, I attended the House of Commons launch of Family Fund Extra, a free-to-join online buying club that gives discounts on thousands of products and services for families with disabled children. Family Fund Extra also enables anyone to help disabled children by shopping online at several well-known outlets. Every time people click on other sites they give the Family Fund a small commission to help severely disabled children. Visit www.familyfundextra.org.uk
| Promoted by Paul Foy on behalf of Dave Anderson, both of St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Shibdon Road, Blaydon, NE21 5PT |