Longthornton

Brenda Fraser was born in Jamaica and came to the UK in 1965 to join her parents who came here as part of the Windrush generation, and she finished her education in Brixton. Brenda worked in the NHS from 1967, becoming a State Registered Nurse and a State Certified Midwife. In 1974 she went to Canada to work as a nurse where she got married and came back to Wandsworth in 1976. Brenda has lived in Longthornton since 1981 and has two grown up children and two grandchildren.

Brenda then trained to be a teacher, and then became a lecturer at the Open University, helping thousands of people get on in life through this innovative studying scheme. As well, Brenda served almost 11 years as a Special Constable and 17 years as a Magistrate.

In 2010, Brenda became a councillor, rising to become a Chair of two Cabinet Committees. And in 2016, she was the first female Jamaican to become Mayor of Merton.

As part of Siobhain’s Action Team, Brenda has improved road safety and reduced accidents with two new pedestrian crossings, and worked to prevent the closure of St Helier Hospital and to keep banks open.

Longthornton

Ross Garrod’s parents moved to Mitcham when he was six months old, and it has been his home ever since. Ross attended Bennedict Primary School, Priory Middle School, and Rutlish High School. After moving out of the family home, he now lives on Grove Road near to St Mark’s Academy.

Ross has represented Longthornton ward for four years and is now the Leader of Merton Council. As part of Siobhain’s Action Team, Ross has secured investment in shop fronts on the shopping parade on Northborough Road and upgraded the facilities in Oakleigh Way (refurbished tennis courts) and Rowan Road Rec (new splash pad, children’s playground, refurbished basketball court).

Ross worked with residents to open a new pocket park on Meopham Road, turning a fly tipping hotspot into an area the whole community can enjoy.

Ross is a season ticket holder for AFC Wimbledon although he admits that his main team is Aston Villa. He used to play football for a team at Three Kings Piece in Mitcham, but now most of his physical activity is in a gym – or out walking, speaking with residents.

Longthornton

Sonia Phillips has proudly called Longthornton home for 25 years, where she lives with her husband. Sonia spent 38 years in the NHS in clinical, research and senior management roles, giving her a deep understanding of people, communities and the challenges they face.

In retirement, Sonia has quite literally dug deep into her passion for enhancing the local environment. As the Merton Garden Streets Coordinator, she understands the importance of promoting wildlife, improving air quality, and fostering a greener, more connected community. Alongside her neighbours, she encourages residents in nearby streets to take part in community planting days, sharing knowledge and strengthening local engagement.

Sonia continues to support the sickle cell charities she once worked with and volunteers with the Wimbledon Guild and New Horizon Centre helping residents struggling with their energy bills. She is working in partnership with her local pastor on a community project to design and build a mural to brighten up a local footpath. Sonia also volunteers at a centre for adults with learning disabilities, reads with children at a local primary school and volunteers with GoodGym Merton.

Mitcham and Morden MP

Siobhain has lived in the constituency of Mitcham and Morden her whole life and was elected as the Member of Parliament for Mitcham and Morden in 1997.

Siobhain is renowned as one of the country’s hardest-working MPs, and regularly leads the list of MPs who have written the most letters, taking up thousands of new cases on behalf of constituents every year. She has led a variety of campaigns, including the opening of a new train station at Mitcham Eastfields, saving St Helier Hospital, introducing new community ‘Safer Neighbourhood’ police teams, and tackling graffiti, abandoned cars, vandalism and other anti-social behaviour.

Twitter: @Siobhain_Mc

Facebook: SiobhainMcDonagh1