Wellingborough MP wears '˜crazy hat' while praising work of county charity

Mr Bone wore the hat while talking about the Crazy Hats charity, which is based in Wellingborough and raises money to improve breast cancer care at Kettering and Northampton general hospitals.

Speaking during business questions, Mr Bone said: “Tomorrow is local charities day, and we all have very good charities in our local constituencies, and one of mine is Crazy Hats.

“It’s run by Glennis Hooper and a group of dedicated volunteers.

“They’ve raised over £2 million by people wearing crazy hats.”

He then put a colourful hat on his head before carrying on with his speech.

He said: “They spend that money on breast cancer in Northamptonshire.

“Would the minister be able to say how those charities can be further supported?”

John Bercow, the Speaker who is in charge of keeping order in the Commons, said: “I’ve indulged the honourable gentleman for the duration of his question, but I’m glad he has now taken that hat off, I sincerely hope he won’t put it on again, preferably at any time but certainly not in the Chamber.”

Cabinet minister David Lidington also poked fun at Mr Bone’s appearance.

He said: “I thought for one moment that my honourable friend was auditioning for a role in some remake of the film Elf.”

Responding to calls for a debate on charities, the Commons leader said: “I think that the Chancellor has demonstrated through improvements in the gift aid scheme that the Government is keen to provide greater opportunities to small local charities to benefits form donations.”

He added: “I think we will all want to celebrate tomorrow the work that so many thousands of local charities do in every constituency in this country.”

Glennis Hooper, founder of Crazy Hats, was delighted to see the charity raised in the House of Commons.

She said: “I admire his tenacity to do such a thing - well done Mr Bone.

“It was certainly a novel way to get our story across and perhaps this is the way to get the attention we need for the powers that be to listen to us and act.

“Sometimes in life you have to do something a little crazy and Peter has gone for it.”

Glennis said her niece alerted her to what Mr Bone had done shortly before the MP called to let her know personally.

She added: “For us as a charity it is very reassuring that our local MP should personally make this move to promote the fact that we need help from the council and MPs to move forward and go for a breast cancer support centre in the county.”