A SUPPORT group will be receiving a flying visit from a special guest at its next meeting.

The Harwich Macular Support Group will welcome guest speaker Nicola Gardner from Essex Air Ambulance on Tuesday, April 16.

The Harwich Macular Support Group meets on the third Tuesday of each month, from 10.30am until 12.30pm, at Harwich Park Pavilion, in Barrack Lane.

It is run by leading sight loss charity the Macular Society and is one of 400 of its kind in the UK.

It offers vital information, encouragement and friendship to people who are affected by macular disease.

Annemarie Taylor, Macular Society regional manager, said: “The Harwich Macular Support Group is here for anybody affected by macular disease – we want to encourage as many people to come along as possible. You don’t have to be a member to attend and friends and family are also very welcome.

“It’s good to be able to learn from each other’s experiences and get tips. The peer support can be so helpful. Our groups can really help people increase in confidence and become more independent. The meetings are also social occasions where we can chat over a cup of tea.

“There also may be opportunities for anyone who would like to get involved with the group. It may be with tasks such as helping find guest speakers to come and talk to the group each month, or contacting members to remind them when meetings will be taking place.”

Macular disease is the biggest cause of blindness in the UK.

For more information on the Harwich Macular Support Group, call Annemarie on 01353 478 004 or 07787 248 815, or email annemarie.taylor@macularsociety.org.