Kind act banishes gloomy Christmas
THE chairman of Durham County Council donated £500 to a children’s charity this week after reading about it in the Mercury.
Brian Myers from Willington read about Heel and Toe, a charity which helps educate children with cerebral palsy and dyspraxia, in last week’s paper after they lost out on donations from the Original Factory Shop in Crook.
The store decided to support an animal charity in Coxhoe for the year pledging to raise £500 sparking outrage in the mother of a cerebral palsy patient.
Lee-Ann Harker said it was unfair that animals in Coxhoe were being favoured over local children although the shop’s management still offered to support Heel and Toe. Cllr Myers contacted the Mercury and said he would offer his support to Heel and Toe.
He said: “After reading about it in the Mercury, I decided to help so have already written out a cheque for £500.
“All charities are worthwhile supporting and I’m not criticising the Original Factory Shop, I merely want to help out.”
It is the second time Cllr Myers has chosen a charity covered by the Mercury having previously pledged to raise £10,000 for the Chyrelle Addams Breast Cancer Appeal run by Willington breast cancer survivor Trish Greensmith. He said: “I knew Trish before and when I saw the fantastic work she was doing I again wanted to help.
“I’ve got £9,000 for her charity so far and am confident we’ll get the rest.”
Cllr Myers also led the Limbs for Lyndon campaign which has so far raised £24,000 to buy legs and arms for the amputee teenager who lost his limbs after contracting meningitis when he was nine-months old.
Cllr Myers said: “Being chairman means I have a great responsibility to the people of Durham and when I hear about these remarkable residents fighting illness and disability, I feel it is all of our duties to help.”
Cllr Myers will present £500 to Heel and Toe in the New Year.