Mayor backs cause close to home

THE Mayor of Epsom and Ewell has revealed the reason behind her support for a charity – she suffers from a potentially serious medical condition.
Cllr Jean Steer, who has named Surrey Association for Visual Impairment as one of her chosen causes to support in 2007/08, has been diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration, a disorder predominantly found in elderly adults, which can, in extreme cases, result in blindness.

Fortunately, she has only a mild strain of the condition in one eye. “It does not cause me any problem, so I can still read, drive and watch TV with no problem,” she said. “Hopefully it will not get any worse.”

The condition, which can attack people as young as 50, has inspired her to support SAVI, based in Leatherhead. She said: “They provide all kinds of help and equipment to people so that they can lead independent lives.”

Cllr Steer has named Mid Surrey Alzheimer’s Society and The Stroke Association as her other two chosen charities, a decision also influenced by personal reasons.
“I chose the Stroke Association because my husband died of a massive stroke, as did my mother and one of my sisters,” she explained.
“The Alzheimer’s Society are a tremendous help to carers and families of people with the problem and they need all the help they can get. I am trying to raise the profile of this association locally to get the Government to fund the cost of treatment for Alzheimer's, which is not available to everyone.”

The mayor will be raising money throughout her year in office by holding charity events and attracting sponsorships from businesses.

So far, events have included a charity golf day and a garden party. Many more are planned, including a fashion show and a concert in Epsom Playhouse.

Cllr Steer hopes to raise up to £15,000 in the year until May. For details of forthcoming events, visit www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk


Sam Blackledge