Local campaigner Rachel Bresnahan announced as by-election candidate

A local resident who made it her mission in lockdown to create a transformative youth hub, food bank and community centre has been announced as the Liberal Democrat candidate in the forthcoming Bredbury Green and Romiley by-election.

Rachel Bresnahan, founder and director of the Cherry Tree Project in Romiley, now leads the Stockport Food Network, connecting food banks across the borough, as well as the Stockport Uniform scheme – cutting waste and providing high-quality, pre-loved school uniforms to young children to cut the cost of education. 

Rachel said: “I’ve spent years working to improve things for people in my community, and dealing with the impact of other people’s decisions. When I thought about it, it was the obvious thing to do to try and put myself in a position where I can influence and make those decisions.

“Rather than simply provide a food parcel to someone, I want to make decisions that mean it is less likely that someone would need one in the first place.”

As well as her work through the Cherry Tree Project, she has also raised over £10,000 for charity last year through walking the length of Hadrian’s Wall.

She continued: “My faith is really important to me, and at the heart of that is my belief that it is important to serve. This is how I can help create a world that has more hope in it.

“The local Liberal Democrat team – Mark, Angie and Lisa – have been so important to help me do that. I literally would not be where I am without them. I have loved seeing them help people build their community up, and now I want to be part of that with them.”