Blwyddyn Newydd Dda! Happy New Year!
Whilst it is extremely disappointing to be commencing yet another year in the shadow of Coronavirus, there is reason for hope and optimism that we will have a happier and healthier year.
Already, the shortest day has passed, with the northern hemisphere daily tilting closer to the sun, warmth, and wonders of spring.
That there is hope for us all in the midst of the challenges currently caused by the Omicron variant is apparent given to the selflessness so many have shown over the last year.
Indeed, during this bleak mid-winter, I think it fair to note that many have given their hearts to caring for our community.
Health and social care staff have prioritised supporting others, some working extremely long hours for the benefit of the most vulnerable.
Other services have been on hand too, such as the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, North Wales Police, Conwy County Borough Council, our fantastic teaching teams, RNLI, the Coastguard, and spiritual leaders.
It has been a true community wide effort to ensure that support is provided to those in need, and I know for a fact that our united battle against Covid-19 could not be as effective without your cooperation.
Be it through volunteering, for example, to check on a neighbour, deliver food/prescriptions, or help with the booster rollout, be assured that I am grateful for all that you have done and continue to do.
There are more community heroes than I know, but I was pleased to meet some in the run-up to Christmas: our local Royal Mail team and Youth With A Mission.
Throughout the pandemic the Royal Mail has delivered parcels to our front doors, ensured that we received vaccination appointment letters and home testing kits on time, and over Christmas have played a key role in helping ensure that the millions of people who do their shopping online for gifts, or send Christmas cards to brighten up someone’s festive season, receive their mail on time. As such, I was delighted to personally thank the staff at the Llandudno delivery office.
It was also a pleasure to visit Conwy Quay to learn more about the boat on which a local group of volunteers will soon set sail to Madagascar, via South Africa where it will undergo a refit, to help provide medical assistance to those in need.
This project which sees constituents having a positive impact on the other side of the world is being run by a charity called Youth With A Mission. I know that the team would most welcome any helpful donations of medical or dental equipment, such as bandages or retired dentists' chairs. If you can help, please email [email protected]
Should I be able to assist you please contact me on 01492 871198 or [email protected]. As always, I stand ready to support you.
Already, I have projects underway such as in relation to supporting businesses affected by restrictions, strengthening the delivery of medical services through boosting those offered at smaller hospitals such as Llandudno, and championing local food production in the Senedd.
I give Aberconwy my heart, and as such promise to continue working hard to try and give you and Wales a brighter future.
