VOLUNTEER HEROS COME TO THE COMMONS

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 8th Jul 2008

Sutton and Cheam MP, Paul Burstow, invited local volunteer hero, Marilyn Gordon-Jones to the House of Commons (on 24th June) to congratulate her on her outstanding work in the community and to celebrate along with other volunteer heros from around the country.

Paul Burstow MP nominated Marilyn Gordon-Jones to attend the 8th MP Heroes Tea Party for her voluntary work at Sutton Lodge Day Centre as Chair of the Trustees and as a volunteer driver. Marilyn is also actively involved in meals on wheels, Age Concern and Chairs the Sutton Nursing Association.

The reception featured guest speaker Lord Brian Rix who spoke movingly about his life of volunteering which started when he was a young boy. Each volunteer was presented with a certificate by their MP.

Afterwards everyone enjoyed tea and cakes in the magnificent surroundings overlooking the River Thames whilst ITV and BBC camera crews interviewed Maggie Semple and some heroes.

Marilyn Gordon-Jones and Paul Burstow MP

Commenting Paul Burstow said: "Marilyn is an inspiration; she represents what is best in volunteering in the borough. The great thing is there are hundreds of people like her in Sutton. The fact is that without our volunteers the borough would grind to a halt, each and every one of them is a hero."