There is continuing dismay at silence from Ministers over £5.7m as Steve Brine launches petition to Gordon Brown.
Prospective Winchester MP Steve Brine has voiced his dismay that three weeks on from the announcement that children’s hospice Naomi House has £5.7million deposited with one of the Icelandic banks affected by the current economic crisis, the Government has is still no further forward to providing any indication of how they will support the charity.
Steve said, “It is disappointing that warm words from the Government three weeks ago have not resulted in any action. Naomi House provides an invaluable service to children and young people the money currently tied up in this financial mess has a vital role in ensuring this service can continue into the future.
Local MP Maria Miller (Basingstoke) has been working in Parliament to get answers from the Government.
She added; “My letter to the Chancellor Alistair Darling asking him to detail how Naomi House will be supported remains unanswered: Is Naomi House protected as a retail depositor; will the charity be designed as a smaller charity which the Government has pledged to actively support? This radio silence needs to end - Naomi House needs answers.
Many Basingstoke residents and businesses will have contributed to the £5.7million that is invested in the failed Icelandic Bank Kaupthing Singer and Friedlander. This money was raised to help the Hospice with its work to support children and young adults with life limiting conditions and no one wants to see this money diverted from that important work.”
Steve Brine has now established a petition to Prime Minister Gordon Brown on the No.10 website – you can sign it NOW (opens in a new window).
Pictured; Chairman of the Trust which runs Naomi House, Cllr George Beckett and Cllr Barry Lipscomb with Steve Brine at the Foundation Stone Ceremony for Jack's Place, held on Monday 13th October 2008.