Macmillan Cancer Relief will benefit from the walk I organised in Velindre Park, Whitchurch.
Despite the blustery weather, there was a good turnout. Gabalfa Day Centre sent representatives; Vision 21 sent a group of young people and staff; Greenhill School were represented and more than 100 children from Whitchurch High School turned up to support Macmillan.
It was a great fundraising effort and the icing on the cake was the support from the cast of the touring production of The Vagina Monologues, which was on at the New Theatre.
I was thrilled that Hannah Waterman (latterly of EastEnders), Josie D'Arby and Lesley Nichol took part in the walk to show their support - and Asda, who provided refreshments.
Voluntary efforts like these are the sorts of things that keep the community going. In Cardiff North, we're very fortunate to have the Velindre specialist cancer hospital, that has such a good reputation, and also the George Thomas Hospice based in the grounds of Whitchurch Hospital.
Thanks to everybody who came on the walk and look forward to seeing you at the Macmillan Coffee Morning that I organise with Sue Essex AM every September.
The community also rallied round in support of local shops in the Birchgrove area of Cardiff North this week. Tesco are planning to set up a Tesco Express on Birchgrove Road in the Heath, in the empty wine store. This has caused a lot of concern among local residents and traders, not only because of the likely traffic problems but also the threat to small local businesses.
Local shops are the lifeblood of our communities. The traders are afraid that they will not be able to compete with Tesco. We know Tesco is very successful and employs a lot of people.
I am please that they are creating 200 more call centre jobs in Tesco House on Maes y Coed Road, which is a small compensation for the 300 jobs lost to outsourcing. However, there must be a place for local shops with individual links to the community. It's important to have a healthy, independent retail sector.
We'll be doing all we can to stop the giant stores blighting the small shops in Cardiff. Show your support for local shops by shopping with them. |
