Brave Eric turns tragedy to triumph

DETERMINED . . . Eric Armitage

Since being diagnosed with a terminal disease, Eric Armitage has managed to turn tragedy to triumph.

With the support of his wife Angela, Eric (58) from Chadderton is spending the time he has left raising awareness of his neurological condition - multiple system atrophy - and raising money to fund research into it.

Fund-raising attempts have already hit the £6,200 mark — an early Christmas present for Eric, who ran a woodwork project at Chadderton Hall Park and was a council learning mentor for people with disabilities.

“We’ve just held a Christmas fair at Chadderton Hall Park and our next event will be a collection at Rochdale Football club in January,” said Angela, who now helps care for Eric.

“Eric is deteriorating and we now have carers in to help us out but he’s still determined to continue fund-raising and spread the word.”

Since being diagnosed, Eric has chronicled his life for the MSA Trust, which is using it to encourage potential donors. His next milestone, says Angela, is a family Christmas.

“Unusually this year all the family will be together for Christmas and that means the world to me,” said Angela.

“This year has been amazing for fund raising, the people of Oldham have been fantastic and rallied to our cause, I’d like to say a huge thank you to them.”

For more information on the condition and the MSA Trust visit www.msatrust.org 


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