The East Kent Group were represented at the Association?s Parliamentary Reception on Motor Neurone Disease. The aim of receptions is to engage with MPs and Peers and to speak to them about an issue as well as get more MPs to understand what living with MND is like for the person, their families and carers. This year the issue was the Attendance Allowance ? this benefit is for people over 65. The idea proposed is for local authorities to administer this which the Association is concerned about. The other issue was asking that the change to re-assessment of people with progressive illness claiming Employment and Support Allowance was extended to all benefits.?

Association members had been asked in advance to ask their MPs to attend via an e-action. Over 800 people had taken part in the e-action and over 50 MPs attended on the day.??

As well as listening to their constituents, MPs were treated to speeches from Dr Jane Hawking. She spoke movingly about the battle with MND the person has, but also the huge battle financially the families of people living with MND have. Sarah Ezekiel, living with MND, also spoke moving about her story and her latest assessment of her care needs.?

Judy Keay, Chrissie Batts and Mark and Katy Styles were present representing the East Kent Group. Julian Brazier MP for Canterbury and Whitstable attended and promised to follow up the points made. Mark and Katy also spoke to the Minister, Penny Mordaunt about their concerns and other MPs they had met before at the All Party Parliamentary Group. The Minister stayed for the whole event and spoke to many people living with the disease.

Follow up meetings were also organised with MP for North Thanet, Sir Roger Gale and the MP for Folkestone and Hythe, Damian Collins.?