ALLIE WILSON CRAW, GREEN PARTY CANDIDATE FOR WALLSEND NORTH I have lived and brought up a family in Benton/Forest Hall since the mid 80s and have been involved in the local community and wider Tyneside most of that time as both participant and organiser in various groups.

Full statement

I have always aimed to help make our area a better place to live as well as enjoy the many positive aspects of living here. I'm standing as a Green Party candidate so that, if elected, I can influence policies and decision making in the Council to strengthen those which aim to develop the well-being of local communities, increase resilience against climate change, support local businesses in reaching net zero carbon while creating jobs and profit. Also I am passionate about making our wild and built environment a place to be proud of and to live happily in.

I used to work as a research engineer helping small businesses develop their innovative products but following redundancy I followed another interest of mine. I trained as a cycling instructor, now teaching safe cycling, part-time, to school children in North Tyneside.

I am a keen volunteer dividing my time across 'Friends of Benton Village Green', being an active trustee of 'Tyneside Welcomes' helping resettle refugees and, until quite recently, I was trustee of 'Recyke y'Bike' having helped to develop this dynamic local charity since it was founded in 2006.

As well as community activism across several fronts and Green Party membership, I balance my time with gardening, running and orienteering."