Coffee morning raises funds for Macular Degeneration unit
As reported in the Watford Observer, a coffee morning has been held recently to raise funds for a new Macular Degeneration Unit at Hillingdon Hospital. The lady behind the fund-raising activities was Joan Brookes and she knows only too well about the disadvantages of suffering from the disease, as she was diagnosed with Age-Related Macular Degeneration herself around 3 years ago.
The recent event at Christchurch Hall was a great success, which is no mean feat when you think that Joan Brookes is 91 years old. How much was made? Answer: £1,070. This is the second coffee morning that Mrs Brookes has raised for this cause.
What exactly is age-related macular degeneration? It is a medical condition which tends to afflict older adults and those over 50 especially can suffer from blindness and impaired vision from the disease. One of the symptoms of the disease is that sufferers find it hard to recognise faces as a result of the damage to the retina. However, it is more central vision, rather than complete vision, which is affected by the disease.
Mrs Brookes’ coffee morning has obviously gone quite some way to helping those who suffer from this sight-related illness. According to reports over a hundred people came along to the coffee morning. As well as the obligatory beverages, cakes and raffle, there were some additional attractions at the event too. Students from the Purcell School performed a number of classical pieces. Also, consultant Nicholas Lee came to talk about the Macular Degeneration unit in the hospital.