Dear Constituent,

Hello and welcome to this week's edition of the Denton and Reddish weekly news. 

It's been a busy week, and there's lots to update you on, including a Citizen's Award, and some big debates in Parliament. 

Scroll down to for your weekly update! 

In May, I'll be taking to the skies in a Wing Walk for 9-year old Florence. Florence has a rare life-limiting degenerative condition called #GM1. We're raising money for Florence and her family to make wonderful memories. If you can, please click below to donate.

Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, donned a cape, tiara and flashing tie to become a Teal Hero to raise awareness for Ovarian Cancer Month.

Ovarian Cancer Month runs throughout the whole of March, and aims to raise awareness of ovarian cancers and the symptoms women should look out for. Each year, Target Ovarian Cancer and the APPG on Ovarian Cancer hold an event in Westminster called ‘Teal Heroes’. Teal is the colour linked to ovarian cancer, and the campaign encourages Members of Parliament to get involved.

4,182 women die of ovarian cancer each year, with nearly 7,500 being diagnosed. Two thirds of women in England are diagnosed once the cancer has already spread.

The four key symptoms of Ovarian Cancer are:

• Having a bloated tummy
• Experiencing tummy pain
• Always feeling full
• Needing to wee more often.

Commenting on the campaign Gwynne, who lost his mother to Ovarian Cancer, said:

“Thanks to Target Ovarian Cancer for giving me another opportunity to become a Teal Hero. This one’s for you Mum!

“29 years ago, I lost my beautiful Mum to Ovarian Cancer. It’s so important that we raise awareness of this devastating killer.

“Please, if you’re having any symptoms, speak to your GP.”

For more information on Ovarian Cancer and the Teal Hero Campaign visit https://targetovariancancer.org.uk/

Pictured: 'Teal Hero' Gwynne

Last week, you may have seen Keir Starmer setting out Labour’s ‘5 missions for a better Britain’.

These missions are to; secure the highest growth in the G7; make Britain a clean energy super power; build an NHS fit for the future; make Britain’s streets safer; and last but not least to break down the barriers to opportunities.

Over the next few months, we’ll be setting out in more detail just how we plan on making these missions a reality.

These missions make a nice change from the kind of politics we’ve all got used to over the last 13 years. I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling like this Government is lurching from crisis to crisis, with the people it was elected to represent being all too quickly forgotten. By having a set of 5 fundamental ambitions, we can ensure that the next Government operates with a long-term strategy, instead of relying on sticking-plaster political choices.

They also speak to issues which I see locally in Tameside every single day. Local people are feeling the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis, are concerned about energy price rises, are struggling to get a GP appointment when they need one, are worried about antisocial behaviour and are being blocked from accessing the skills training they need to thrive.

Having the next Labour Government put these issues at the heart of everything it does, then, could be truly transformational for people right across Tameside.

We’ve already seen a little of how some of these missions might be realised. Labour has committed to the biggest workforce expansion in the NHS for a generation and to putting thousands more police officers on our streets . We’ve also pledged to invest in high-quality green jobs and home insulation. But this is just the beginning of what we can achieve.

I’m incredibly proud to call Tameside my home. I work tirelessly to try and get the best deal for the people I represent. But the national support just isn’t there. I want to see a Tameside where people have access to good jobs, have more money in their pocket and feel safe where they live.

This isn’t some far-fetched dream, it can become a reality with political will, and if Labour win the next General Election, I’m excited from see what the future holds.

CITIZENS’ AWARD - Men in Sheds Reddish 

Last Saturday it was my pleasure to drop into Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery where Men in Sheds Reddish had a brilliant art display with a bicycle theme

I was there to present my latest award to the Group. They were nominated by the public for some of the great work they do in the community.

Reddish Men in Sheds fettles up old bikes and sells them on to low-income families in Reddish, or gives them away to schools. A brilliant initiative and well appreciated. Well done on the award!

 WATCH: We have an Opposition Day Debate on Labour's plans to help more people into work.

There are currently a large number of people who want to work but are struggling to do so because of long-term sickness or because the services aren't there to support them in accessing new skills.

The Government needs to get serious about helping people into work. By breaking down the barriers to opportunity, we can get the economy firing on all cylinders again.

 WATCH: We have an Opposition Day debate on Labour's plan to implement the biggest expansion of the NHS workforce in history, paid for by doing away with the non-dom tax status.

7 million people are waiting months or even years for treatment, but the Conservatives have no plan to deal with the workforce crisis in our NHS.

The Tories should move out of the way, and let Labour build an NHS fit for the future.

WATCH: At Education Questions there’s a question on Children’s Services.

I’ve always been keen that all children, particularly those in need of specialist services or protection, get the very best service.

I ask the Minister what more she’s doing to ensure councils that need extra assistance to be good get that help and support so that all children get the best start, irrespective of where they live.

WATCH: At Transport Questions, I raise the issue of the proposed HS2 works, which will sever the Ashton Metrolink Line for a period of two years.

Transport for Greater Manchester have put forward a sensible alternative, but are having to argue against fantastical costings put forward by HS2 Ltd.

I ask the Minister what oversight is available on these costings.

 WATCH: For World Book Day 2023, I thought I'd read 'Bedtime for the Burpee Bears' by Joe Wicks, and illustrated by Paul Howard.

This book is free with a World Book Day token! If you want to get yours visit www.worldbookday.com/books/

Such a great initiative, and such a fun book to read!

  READ: Thanks to the Tameside Reporter for covering my comments about the brilliant tree planting session which took place in Jet Amber Fields this morning. 

A massive thanks to all the volunteers from Friends of the Tame Valley, Mersey Rivers Trust, United Utilities and the Environment Agency for getting involved. 

Read the full piece here.