PM Supports 'The Eye Fund'

Sir Paul McCartney supports the launch of The Eye Fund Who & What & Why? The family of Sir Paul McCartney are responding to the loss of their son and brother Simon Sherry by fundraising to support others in a similar situation. Simon suffered with Retinal Cone Dystrophy, a condition in which his eyesight was failing rapidly but was frighteningly unpredictable. Their Charity The Eye Fund will be launched with the publication of Optics a calendar to raise awareness in the field of visual impairment. A large number of Simons graphics used the eye as a starting point, many of which you can still see in the abstract images included in this stunning calendar. Funds raised from the sale of the £7.50 calendars will go directly to support counselling for individuals with failing vision and their families. All of Simons family are heavily involved in this project.

As a Production Manager in the print trade Simons brother Dave has overseen the production of the calendar while his brother Phil has created the web site (below). Simons parents, Carol and Paul Sherry are Charity Chair & Treasurer respectively with sister Helen promoting both the launch and the charity. Even his nephews Jacob, Jamie & Ciaran have raised more than £300 with sponsored events of their own. This really is a family concern!

When & Where?Hope Park Community Nursery, the Nursery managed by Simons sister Helen Rowlands will be the venue for the launch at 7:30pm on Wednesday October 10th. For the past month the children at Hope Park have been studying eyes - their own eyes, animals eyes, eyes around them etc. After a talk by Simons parents, Carol and Paul, the children each selected one of Simons graphics to use as a basis for their own work and have completed a stunning collection for display. These will be on display alongside Simons work on the evening of Wednesday October 10th.

Sir Paul McCartney has added his support to this very worthy cause and written a foreword for the calendar: This Calendar celebrates the life of my Second Cousin Simon. Every time we met each other, I recall his infectious smile and great sense of humour and will always have fond memories of his lovely personality. He was an extremely talented guy as this calendar proves and his talents extended beyond art to music, where he was an accomplished bassist and keyboardist. At an early age, he was influenced strongly by Linda and myself and became a committed vegetarian with a great love of nature and all its miraculous creations. He is sorely missed by all of us who knew and loved him but I for one will never forget his smiling face and all of us in the family will cherish his memory forever.

To find out more Telephone contact can be made with Helen Rowlands during the day on 0151 291 3200, or in the evening on 0151 257 7544. Email contact to helenmrowlands@googlemail.com. Web site information www.eye-psi.com How to get there Hope Park Community Nursery is located within Liverpool Hope University, on the corner of Taggart Ave and Woolton Road in Childwall, Liverpool.

The evening will commence at 7.30pm with a viewing of both Simons and the childrens work, followed by an opportunity to interview (or photograph) participants about this valuable project. We do hope to see you there Wednesday October 10th, 7.30pm!