From heartbreak to hope
Cllr Cullen is vice chair of the Adult Care Scrutiny Committee and sits on the Health and Wellbeing Board
Boston councillor follows the final wishes of her son, to support others with terminal cancer.
Magdalena Cullen believes she would never have become a county councillor had it not been for the tragic death of her son Josh, aged 27.
His dying wish was that she should ‘stay strong’ and help others that have been given a similar devastating cancer diagnosis. And, after her election victory in 2025, Cllr Cullen has positioned herself to do just that – starting with her Boston North division.
“I don’t think I would have ever put myself forward for election had it not been for Josh encouraging me to do so,” she said.
“He was well aware of how low I was due to his diagnosis, especially in the weeks before he died. But he encouraged me to help others who were going through the same thing and so that’s what I want to do.”
Magdalena grew up in a village called Ratiskovice in the Czech Republic. But even as a child, her dream was to make a life in the UK. And, at the age of 19, she followed her dream and took up a job as a nanny for a family in Nottingham.
She later married and started a family of her own, having a son and a daughter while settling into her local community.
Magdalena had various jobs, including driving, retail and as a translator. Magdalena nurtured an interest in politics when helping with canvasing for local elections. But it was the heartbreaking experience with son Josh which provided a real motivation. And when the time came, Magdalena found the will to go for it. “I was asked if I would be interested in standing in the county council elections and I jumped at the opportunity,” she said.
Locally, Cllr Cullen has so far worked with charities such as Wyberton Wombles making a real difference to the environment in the local area. She also holds monthly surgeries and has made it her business to try to help other young people who have had a devastating cancer diagnosis through Connect to Support.
“I was elated that people put their trust in me during the elections and I amdetermined to do my best to improve the lives of people in my small part of the world,” she added.“
