I am a local volunteer and have been chosen as Hart Lib Dems’ candidate for Hampshire County Council’s Odiham & Hook Division, and Hart District Council’s Hook Ward.

Full statement

I and my husband Tim have lived in Hook for over 30 years, and our son attended Hook and Robert Mays schools. I have experienced both the vibrant and supportive nature of the local community, as well as its increase in its size.

Our daughter Lizzie was born in 2000 with a rare genetic condition, and the 26 years since have been a huge learning curve for me in the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) world.

In 2004, I became a parent governor of Lizzie’s SEND school, serving as Chair of Governors between 2016 and 2021, before finally retiring as a governor last year.

I also signed up to serve as a Parent Representative with Hampshire Parent Carer Network, a support forum and service provider for parents in similar circumstances.

Notably, Lizzie’s disability encouraged me to become a Parent Trustee and fundraiser with local charity Disability Challengers. Fundraising for Disability Challengers, as well as for national charity SeeAbility, has seen me run the London marathon three times, with fantastic support from Hook Runners, of which I has been a member since 2016.

My love of the outdoors is also a key contributor to my desire to make the countryside more accessible for all, with its known benefits to mental health and wellbeing.

I am also a major advocate of sustainability, and I am eager to contribute to Lib Dem-led Hart’s nationally-recognised work in this area. The District’s aims align well with my qualifications in art and design, which emphasise creative solutions, sustainability and up-cycling.

** What would my priorities be as a Councillor,?** “Our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system is in crisis, and this must be addressed as soon as possible.

“Fortunately, we have a brilliant local MP, Alex Brewer, who similarly has a background working with children with disabilities, who would be a great help to this effort. I believe that, with our combined experience, we could do a lot of good for local families struggling to get the support they need.”