Victoria House Update

Victoria House Update

Home Group, the developers of Victoria House in North Cheam, have recently contacted me with an update about their plans for the site.

Early in October there was a fire started by intruders within the building. Four fire engines were sent and the fire was quickly put out.  Subsequent to this, Home Group were contacted by CHAPRA residents association and local Conservatives regarding the ongoing security issues.

On the 21st October Home Group advised that dog patrols would be starting right away up until Christmas and then reviewed, and also that they would be installing CCTV on the 25th October. Home Group have also promised to send out a newsletter in the near future to local residents regarding an update on the building.

I remain hopeful that a revised planning application, one that the local residents can support, will be submitted in the very near future.

You can view the letter they sent to me here.

 

Becoming a Defibrillator Champion

Becoming a Defibrillator Champion

Every single year in the UK, 30,000 people suffer a sudden cardiac arrest. Sadly, just less than 1-in-10 survive. It’s time to take action.

As part of European Restart a Heart Day I visited The Oliver King Foundation at their launch event in Westminster to show support.

The Oliver King Foundation setup following the tragic death of 12-year-old Oliver King from a sudden cardiac arrest, which kills 12 young people every single week. Oliver was winning a swimming race at school.

In 2012 footballer Fabrice Muamba was shocked 16 times by a lifesaving defibrillator in front of the nation.

Early access to a defibrillator is vital. For every minute that passes, chances of survival drop by 10%.

It is vital that we take action to prevent any loss of life where one can be saved. It was interesting to hear from the Foundation about how many lives have been saved, including a caretaker at a school who had only received the defibrillator two weeks earlier.

I will be delighted to work as a Defibrillator Champion, saving lives is a legacy that we can all be proud of.

Jake Morrison, Chief Executive of The Oliver King Foundation said: “We are delighted that Paul Scully MP has signed up as a Defibrillator Champion. It is important that we spread awareness of the vital need for this equipment in our communities. Our Members of Parliament have a great platform and connection in their constituencies to spread this message.

We look forward to working with Paul and saving lives for years to come.”

Mark King, father of 12-year-old Oliver King who died from a sudden cardiac arrest said: “5 years ago when my son Oliver passed away from this hidden heart condition, we didn’t know that his legacy would reach this far. We are determined to save as many young lives as possible, so that no other family has to suffer a similar loss to that of ours.”

Remembrance Sunday 2016

Remembrance Sunday 2016

It was an honour to take part in the Remembrance Day service in Worcester Park today.

I joined residents for a remembrance service at the Christ Church with St Philip Church on Ruskin Drive, before walking down to the War Memorial to lay a wreath and join in a two minute silence to remember the fallen and the injured of past and present conflicts.

I then had the pleasure of watching the parade pass along Central Road and finally joining everyone inside the Royal British Legion Club for some entertainment.

Conservative Councillors and members of my family also took part in Remembrance Day services across the Borough, taking part or laying wreaths in Carshalton, Wallington, Sutton, Belmont and Cheam.

I hope everyone uses today as an opportunity to remember and give thanks to those who have made great sacrifices for our freedoms.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Bike ride for the Poppy Appeal

Bike ride for the Poppy Appeal

As part of The Royal British Legion’s annual Poppy Appeal, I took part in a bike ride in Parliament to help raise money. 

The 12 hour bike ride was held from 8am to 8pm in Portcullis House, Parliament and I took part in a race on an exercise bike by cycling as far as I could in 5 minutes. I managed to cycle 1.71 miles in my five minutes. 

The bike ride was organised by the Industry and Parliament Trust (IPT) in association with The Royal British Legion and follows on from the successful bike ride held in 2015 (where 77 MPs and Peers cycled a total of 128.8 miles in 12 hours). I would like to thank them for arranging this event. The Royal British Legion provides invaluable support to the Armed Forces community; I am pleased to have been able to support such a worthy cause. 

Nick Maher, CEO of the IPT said: “The work of The Royal British Legion is essential to the lives of so many families across the UK and I am delighted that Paul was able to support us in our efforts to raise money for such a worthwhile cause. The support and enthusiasm from parliamentarians this year has been fantastic”.

Supporting the Poppy Appeal

Supporting the Poppy Appeal

I teamed up with volunteers from the Poppy Appeal to help raise money by selling poppies at Sainsburys North Cheam.

The Poppy Appeal is the Royal British Legion’s biggest fundraising campaign held every year in November, the period of Remembrance.

Today is Armistice Day, a time for us to remember those who have made great sacrifices for the freedoms we enjoy today. We will also commemorate them on Remembrance Sunday, where my family and I will be attending services being held across Sutton, Cheam and Worcester Park.

I hope everyone in Sutton, Cheam and Worcester Park will also get involved.