When I was first elected, I promised to support different charities every year. In my first year I have been supporting the Hospice of St Francis in Berkhamsted.
Now as I enter my second year as your MP, I have selected to support Dacorum Rent Aid and Dacorum Community Trust. Dacorum Rent Aid helps homeless people throughout Dacorum. For people who unexpectedly hit upon hard times, it can be a real shock to suddenly have no money, no job and no home. Dacorum Borough Council does a great job, but housing stock is limited and there is a long waiting list. If you try to find a house or flat in the private sector you will need one month’s rent in advance and another months rent for deposit. This could easily be more than £1,000 and if you don’t have it you are trapped. This is where Dacorum Rent Aid can help out. They will lend the advance and deposit to enable homeless people to make a start. Afterwards they will keep in regular contact to lend support and advice. The charity is run by volunteers and relies on donations to finance the loans. I was very impressed when I met with them and am delighted to be offering my support this year.
The second organisation I will be supporting this year is Dacorum Community Trust. They raise money to provide funding for a wide range of people and enterprises. It could be anything from a battered wife and child fleeing their home and needing the very basic essentials – such as clothing – to restart their lives, to a grant for a children’s swimming club.
I’m sure you’ll agree both are worthy causes and I urge anyone interested in making a donation to contact them.
Dacorum Rent Aid – 01442 251213
Dacorum Community Trust – 01442 231396
Or you can find more information on my website www.mikepenning.com – click on MP Charity 2006.
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