Peterborough Labour MP Fiona Onasanya visited Kidney Research UK headquarters on May 31. Fiona, who has been in office less than a year, met with staff and volunteers to learn about the charity’s work.

Neerja Jain (left), Health Equalities Manager, and Fiona Onasanya MP (right)

As well as meeting with staff she also got to see some of the charity’s peer educators, as her visit coincided with a training day for volunteers on the programme.

Peer Educators are people, sometimes patients, from minority ethnic groups, communities who undergo a structured training programme covering kidney health, risk factors and organ donation.

The project recruits people who are committed and passionate about raising awareness among their communities.

Kidney Research UK Chief Executive Sandra Currie said: “We were delighted Fiona was able to spend time with us. She showed a great interest in our work and we very much look forward to working with her in the future.”

Fiona added: “It was a pleasure and honour to be invited to Kidney Research UK. Having listened to the shocking statistics and met with the community peer support team it really struck me that in minority ethnic groups we need to know and do much more. It’s really important that kidney disease is highlighted more and myths busted.

“Thank you for all you are seeking to do to keep our kidneys happy, functional and healthy and I would urge all of us to see how we can support and get involved.”