Rayleigh MP Mark Francois showed his support for the Rayleigh and Rochford District Association for Voluntary Service (RRAVS) by attending their recent open day, held at the Mill Community Centre in Bellingham Lane.

The event featured over 30 local organisations with which RRAVS works on behalf of the local community, including the Citizens Advice Bureau; the Disabled Information Advice Line (DIAL); Essex Police Crime Reduction; the Lions Club of Rayleigh, the Royal British Legion and the St John Ambulance.

The event was also supported by Mark’s Parliamentary colleague and MP for Rochford and Southend East, James Duddridge MP (who visited prior to Mark); Cllr Jim Grey, Chairman of Rochford District Council and Cllr Cheryl Rowe, the Chairman of Rayleigh Town Council.

At the event several of the organisations present succeeded in recruiting new volunteer helpers, as well as having an opportunity to inform the general public about the work which they undertake on their behalf.

Speaking about his recent visit to support the RRAVS open day, Mark Francois MP said:

“I am a strong supporter of RRAVS and the work they do to assist charitable and voluntary groups across the District. Their open day provides a chance for these organisations to promote the work they do, to network with each other and recruit new support. For instance the Rayleigh Division of the St John Ambulance told me that they had signed up three potential new recruits that day. The whole event was well organised and successful and I was pleased to be a part of it. ”