THE death of a friend or a colleague is always tough, so the news about Carl Sargeant’s death was a real shock to us in Welsh politics.

My thoughts are with his family, friends and his fellow AMs as they come to terms with Carl’s death.

I know from personal experience with the death of Jo Cox MP last year how much the tributes and positive memories can help.

We continue to keep Jo’s memory alive, and in Westminster Hall last week we debated the issue of tackling loneliness and the work of the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness.

People feeling lonely or isolated is a key risk factor influencing physical and mental health.

I was proud to contribute to the debate and praise the work that so many community groups do in Torfaen to bring people together.

Apprenticeships and more career paths for our young people is another issue that is important to me.

Over the past few months, I have been involved in the Industry and Parliament Trust, meeting apprentices in the broadcast media sector.

It is important that we promote the value of apprenticeships as a career path – something I raised a question about this month in the House of Commons.

This month is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month 2017, so I attended an event to mark the start of the month with Pancreatic Cancer UK.

Around 9,600 people will face a pancreatic cancer diagnosis this year.

Unfortunately, currently under seven per cent of people with pancreatic cancer survive beyond five years.

Early diagnosis is vital to saving lives, so this month is a vital part of raising awareness of the disease and raising funds for research.

I met local campaigner Linda Reardon at the launch of the all-party parliamentary group on pancreatic cancer’s report, The Need for Speed.

One of their recommendations for action is the promoting of awareness of specific pancreatic cancer symptoms.

Throughout my time in Parliament I have campaigned on this, and will continue to do so.

November is also the time as MPs when we remember those who have lost their lives serving our country in the armed forces.

Among the events that I attended locally this year was the Concert of Remembrance at the Workmen’s Hall, Blaenavon, where I was proud to act as master of ceremonies.

We enjoyed outstanding performances from the Blaenavon Town Band, the Blaenavon Ladies Choir and the Blaenavon Male Voice Choir.

It was a reminder of local talent and of the determination of so many of our people to keep alive the memory of those who gave their lives for the rest of us.

Thank you, as ever, to the Royal British Legion and to all the other volunteers who mark our commemorations every year.