Kent youngster to address Westminster
Published: 14:03, 27 October 2009
Updated: 14:03, 27 October 2009
A Kent teenager is one of a group of 40 speaking up about health support in schools at a special event at Westminster today.
A Question Time-style debate is taking place at the Houses of Parliament where the students will get to grill politicians on the issue of how students with health problems are helped in school.
Sarah Hasselgrove, 16, from Hythe was asked to take part by the national children’s charity Little Hearts Matter.
She has a non-correctable heart condition called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome which has meant numerous operations and constant medication.
She said: “My experiences at school have sometimes been difficult and challenging because of my heart condition.
Audio: Sarah Hasselgrove, on the chance to speak at Westminster
"It’s very important for me to be at this event because it gives me and many other young people the chance to let the people in power know what needs to happen to improve the lives of all school children with health conditions.”
The panel she will be addressing includes Shadow Ministers for Children, Schools and Families Tim Loughton MP and Annette Brooke MP, Dr Sheila Shribman, National Clinical Director for Children, Young People and Maternity Services, and Jim Cunningham MP, who put forward the Schools (Health Support) Bill as his Private Members’ Bill in May.
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KentOnline reporter