HERO CLAUDE WELCOMED TO PARLIAMENT

5.08.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 1st Jul 2008

Claude Bullingham welcomed to parliament by Martin Horwood MP

LEADING WHADDON RESIDENT Claude Bullingham has been welcomed in Parliament as a local hero by Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood and specialist agency The Experience Corps. He was nominated by Martin as a local hero to attend an event designed to highlight the contribution of older volunteers to local communities. Heroes were treated to tea in the House of Commons and a certificate celebrating their achievement.

Martin said:

"I thought of Claude immediately when I was asked for a nomination. He has done a huge amount for the Whaddon Residents' Association, for the Neighbourhood Project and as a tenant rep on the board of Cheltenham Borough Homes. He has organised the youth football tournament in Whaddon every summer for nine years. The tournament has provided a really positive focus for local children and young people with time on their hands and that alone would justify the award."

"But above all, Claude is a terrific ambassador for Whaddon. He's proud of Whaddon and he's shown me why I should be proud to be the MP for Whaddon. It is one of the strongest communities in Cheltenham and Claude and many volunteers like him have helped to keep it that way."