So much has happened in the last few days! Gill's Crowd Funding Appeal Gill has launched a crowd funding appeal, so that she can call for an inquest into the death of her brother David Clapson, who died while being sanctioned. He had diabetes and died in his flat in Stevenage on 20 July 2013, from diabetic ketoacidosis (caused by an acute lack of insulin). When Gill discovered his body, she found his electricity had been cut off (meaning that the fridge where he kept his insulin was no longer working). There was very little left to eat in the flat – six tea bags, an out-of-date tin of sardines and a can of tomato soup. His pay-as-you-go mobile phone had just 5p credit left on it and he had only £3.44 in his bank account. The autopsy notes reveal that his stomach was empty. That this should happen, not only to him but to thousands of others, in this country in 2016 is unspeakable....... ! The consequences and the heartbreak for the families and friends of those who have died will be with them for the rest of their lives. No apology can ever change that fact or can bring their loved one back. Please support Gill in raising £10,000. the total stands at nearly £6000 since the launch lat week. https://www.crowdjustice.co.uk/case/david-clapson/ Banner to honour those who we know have died Gill and I, with help from some lovely people spent Monday at Unite's Office working hard to make a "quilt" style banner for when we hand in our Sanction Petition on March 9th outside Claxton House in London. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1727242300855829&set=a.1575926459320748.1073741828.100007102262846&type=3&theater A big thanks to all that helped, as its now ready for Wednesday's day of action Days of Action Day one - March 9thClaxton House 2.30-4pm We are hoping that some of the relatives that have lost loved ones will be coming to join us. Please come along if you are in London, as we would like to meet some of you who have supported us throughout this campaign. For those of you who cannot come to London. Unite has now published a list of places around the country where there will be demonstrations. Please join them if you can. http://www.unitetheunion.org/growing-our-union/communitymembership/day-of-action-against-sanctions/ Day Two - March 11th at The House of Commons - I will confirm the time later but if the order runs as per the schedule and each runs for 10mins, then her Bill should be at 2.30 Gill and I will be at The House of Commons during the 2nd reading of Tasmina Ahmed Sheikh's sanction bill - again if you around, please come and join us. You can read more about The Bill here http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2015-16/benefitsanctionsregimeentitlementtoautomatichardshippayments.html We are also hoping for a video link - details to be confirmed. Once again a big, big thanks to you all, without you, our campaign would not be this strong. We will be closing this petition in the next couple of days but we will be back again if our voices are ignored by the government. We will never give up. Thank you. Maggie, Mike and Gill