Selaine Saxby, the new North Devon MP, is also still the North Devon District Councillor for Instow. Selaine is due to stand down from this position in May, so that her by-election coincides with the Police and Crime Commissioner elections on May 7th. In the interim, Selaine has announced she is going to donate her £317, monthly allowance, that she receives as a councillor, to local charities.
The first charity Selaine has chosen is The Calvert Trust, Exmoor. Selaine explained her reasons:
“The Calvert Trust are the first local charity who invited me to support them, and I was delighted to attend their annual dinner last Friday at the Saunton Sands Hotel. Still being quite new to the role, and Westminster being almost entirely cash free, I didn’t have any cash with me to purchase raffle tickets on the night. Very keen to make amends, I decided that they should receive the January payment.
I was really moved by the story of Paralympian, and keynote speaker, Lizzie Tench who found her time at The Calvert Trust enabled her to begin to rebuild her self-confidence after her life changing accident, and the incredible resilience and strength she has shown. Mike Young the CEO was sat with me at dinner and detailed the work of the Trust and I am very much looking forward to visiting them in the near future.
I am aware there is much overlap between my role as MP and District Councillor, and that I am not able to attend the meetings I should be at whilst at Westminster, so I had decided over the Christmas break I would give the allowance away. Finding such a worthy recipient in The Calvert Trust is a great first donation, and I look forward to working with them in the future.
I have three more months of allowance, £317 per time, to give away and I very much hope other interested local charities will get in touch: [email protected] with details of how this money will help.”
January 2020
Calvert Trust Exmoor is a five-star accredited activity centre, located in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the edge of Exmoor National Park. Their award-winning centre enables people with physical, learning, behavioural and sensory disabilities to experience exciting, challenging and enjoyable outdoor activities, together with their friends and families.
For more information please contact: [email protected], 01598 763221
