THE tragic events in Tunisia have dominated the national news this week and it is with immense sadness that we hear that local residents have been affected so devastatingly. I extend a sincere offer of help to anyone who has been affected. At this time the family’s privacy must be respected but, if there is anything that I, as Member of Parliament, can do, or anything more that you need the Government to do, just let me know. These events are a stark reminder of the global threats that we face and how important it is to work with other countries to tackle extremism.

Recently I attended two events in Parliament to discuss the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. I know from bitter personal experience how punishing the great emotional and financial cost is for patients and their families. Reassuringly though, cancer survival rates are improving and are now the best they have ever been. Recently, there have been encouraging testing results for cancer treatments and the Government’s £1.16 billion lifesaving Cancer Drugs Fund has now helped more than 60,000 people – hundreds of them here in Wiltshire.

As a passionate supporter of the work of charities, the generosity of local people always heartens me and it is an absolute pleasure to be able to support Chippenham business owners in their bid to tackle cancer. Following the devastating news that both had been diagnosed with cancer, the owners of Sarah Jayne’s Café in Chippenham High Street have committed to donate five per cent of their company profits to Cancer Research UK. I try and support Sarah Jayne’s Café where I can and am holding an advice surgery there on Friday, July 10. For an appointment call Gareth on (01249) 477095. I have joined fellow Wiltshire MPs in supporting Sarah Jayne’s Café’s important campaign to ensure that drugs for combating gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST); a rare and awful form of cancer commonly found in the digestive system; remains accessible to patients in England as it is in Scotland. I try and support Sarah Jayne’s Café where I can and am holding an advice surgery there on Friday 10th June. For an appointment call Gareth on (01249) 477095.

Health care of residents is a key priority of mine and in order to learn more and support local people I have decided to join the All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) for Cancer, Diabetes and Dementia. I have painful, personal experiences of each disease and hope to use my positions on these important APPGs to help promote the treatment and tackle the causes of each.

My constituency office will soon open and I will be available to help constituents with any local or national issues. In the meantime, please do contact me on the telephone number above or by email to Michelle.Donelan.MP@Parliament.uk