A LEADING sight loss charity is calling for volunteers to help run a Wrexham-based support group for people with macular disease.

The Macular Society is appealing for anyone living locally who would be willing to give up some of their time to help organise and run the group’s meetings, with help from the charity’s services and volunteering team. The group is also looking for people to assist with general tasks such as booking guest speakers.

The Wrexham Macular Support Group meets on the third Thursday of each month (excluding August, December and January), from 1pm to 3pm, at Avow: Association of Volunteer Organisations in Wrexham, 21 Egerton Street, Wrexham LL11 1ND.

It is one of more than 400 in the UK offering vital information, encouragement and friendship to people who are affected by macular disease. The group’s next meeting will be on Thursday, April 18.

Macular disease is the biggest cause of blindness in the UK. Nearly 1.5 million people are currently affected and many more are at risk. The disease can have a devastating effect on people’s lives, leaving them unable to drive, read or see faces. Many people affected describe losing their sight as being similar to bereavement. There is still no cure and most types of the disease are not treatable. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common form of macular disease, affecting more than 600,000 people, usually over the age of 50.

Marian Williams, Macular Society regional manager, said: “The Wrexham Macular Support Group provides a real lifeline for people living locally with sight loss. The peer support offered by the groups is absolutely vital – it’s incredibly reassuring for people to know that there are others who truly understand their situation.

“With around 300 people in the UK being diagnosed with macular disease every day, the existence of our support groups has never been more important. If you have some free time and would be willing to help out, either by helping to organise the meetings or assisting in some other way, we would love to hear from you.

“We will also be available to support our volunteers as they learn their new roles and provide any guidance they need going forward.”

For more information about the Wrexham Macular Support Group, please contact Marian Williams on 07495 054 053, or email marian.williams@macularsociety.org

For more information on macular disease call the Macular Society on 0300 3030 111 or email help@macularsociety.org