Iain Wright MP has completed the 2011 Great North Run in aid of the Stroke Association.

The Hartlepool MP joined his son Ben, 17, and thousands of others on the 13.1 mile run. The pair ran in aid of the Stroke Association, a cause which has been close to their hearts since Ben suffered a serious stroke in 2006. Iain completed the course in quite a “respectable” time of just two hours and fifty minutes, with Ben achieving a time of two hours thirty-five minutes.

Iain Wright MP said:

“This is the fastest I’ve ever finished and I’m quite pleased with my time. However the fundraising is what is most important and Ben and I would like to thank everybody who supported us. The race was tough but running in aid of the Stroke association was a real motivator for me- and I’m thrilled that we have raised over £1000 already. The Association does fantastic work in highlighting issues associated with stroke and with helping people who have suffered from a stroke and and Ben and I were very glad to support them.

You can still support Iain by visiting his online donation page at:

http://www.justgiving.com/Iain-Wright0

Hartlepool MP Iain Wright has tabled a motion in support of ‘Grey Pride Week’ which calls for a dedicated Government Minister for Older People.

Grey Pride Week, run by older people’s housing and care provider Anchor, aims to celebrate growing old and champion older people, giving them a voice at the highest level.

Older people are fast becoming one of the largest groups in the United Kingdom, but there is no Government minister dedicated to the well-being of older people. Iain’s Early Day Motion in Parliament calls for a Minister in Government that prioritises the needs of older people and ensures that their views and interests receive dedicated attention.

Iain Wright MP said:

“Older people already make up 25 per cent of the population. It is expected that 10 million people living now will reach the age of 100, which will provide enormous social and economic challenges. I want to ensure that older people living in Hartlepool are represented at the highest political level in Government and enjoy dignity and respect in their later years. People who had served in our Armed Forces started having a much stronger voice when the Labour Government created a dedicated Minister for Veterans, and I can see the same thing working for older people. Launching Grey Pride is a step towards ensuring that.”

Jane Ashcroft, Chief Executive of Anchor, added:

“Within the Government’s equality agenda there is a dedicated minister for women, the disabled and children, but none for older people, who represent nearly 25% of the population. Anchor’s Grey Pride campaign will redress the balance, reclaim growing old as a positive experience and break down the barriers preventing older people leading happy, fulfilling lives.”

In celebration of Fathers’ Story Week, run by the Fatherhood Institute, the All Party Parliamentary Group on Fatherhood held an event on Monday 13th June in Parliament alongside BT, Ladybird books, the Fatherhood Institute and Family Lives to celebrate Father’s Day.

Iain Wright, MP for Hartlepool, attended the event and received a package of books from Ladybird to donate to Hartlepool library for local families to enjoy.

Fathers’ Story Week offers a fantastic opportunity for schools, children’s centres, and libraries to get fathers and children working and spending time together in support of children’s learning and development. Fathers’ Story Week also provides fathers with the opportunity to become involved in their children’s education. The Fatherhood Institute’s research shows that children with positively involved fathers and father-figures do better in all sorts of ways.

Iain Wright MP said:

“Reading with your children can be very special and a great way for dads to develop a deeper bond with their kids, as well as helping support their learning and education. As a dad, I enjoy reading with my own children . I thank Ladybird books have donated such beautiful books for Hartlepool, where they will be enjoyed by children in the town for many years to come.”