Don is a family man, living with his wife and four sons in their home in Saxmundham. Don’s children all attend schools and college in the area.
He and his wife are Carers for one of their sons who has Downs Syndrome and his wife’s live-in parents, who both suffer from dementia.
As
a result, Don is acutely aware of the needs and wants of different generations
living in a rural area.
Don and his family moved to Saxmundham
from their last home in Epsom, Surrey, where Don was a Borough Councillor
for 12 years - 4 as a Liberal Democrat and 8 years as an Independent councillor.
He currently serves on the non-political Saxmundham Town Council and is
their representative for the Saxmundham & District Business Association.
Don has led a very successful campaign to bring vital Broadband internet access to the area for home use, working from home and tele-working - improving prospects for local employment.
Currently Don is vigorously campaigning (including becoming involved in legal processes) to save the proposed new Saxmundham and district “One-Stop” Health & Social Care Centre - under threat of being aborted by the local Primary Care Trust!
He is also working on a Skate Park project to give young people access
to sporting equipment and a social meeting place, which would otherwise
be denied because of their rural location.
Don has established the non-political Brook Farm Residents Association
to protect and promote local interests, recommended the formation (and
become a Trustee) of a local charity to promote local arts and recreation,
and established a not-for-profit company to support the personal development
of young adults with additional needs, making the transition from school
and college into local employment.
He has extensive knowledge and
experience on policy, planning, business, leisure, education, social care
and information & communication technology - to produce more effective
and efficient local services.
Don is a "doer" , not a "talker"...