Anthea Turner opens the Meath’s new Bradbury Wing

On September 18, local celebrity Anthea Turner led celebrations to open the Meath Epilepsy Trust’s Bradbury Wing.

The Perfect Housewife presenter launched the £1.4 million Westbrook Appeal in May last year, to extend and refurbish the ground floor of the Meath’s grade II-listed house. The Appeal exceeded all expectations, raising funds from a range of sources including a grant of £300,000 from the Bradbury Foundation, after which the new accommodation has been named.

Around 140 guests attended the ceremony, including Meath patron Jeremy Hunt MP and the Earl of Meath, whose great grandmother Mary, Countess of Meath, started the charity in 1892. The Deputy Mayor of Waverley and Mayor of Godalming were also present alongside a host of donors and other supporters.

“We are absolutely delighted with the success of the Westbrook Appeal,” said Gordon Hennessy, the Meath’s chief executive. “We are truly grateful to all who have donated money and time to helping us provide the most comfortable home we can for our residents. Anthea herself has been instrumental in this, by providing furniture at cost price for the Bradbury Wing’s bedrooms through her company, Imagine Furnishings.”

The extended and refurbished accommodation provides 11 spacious single bedrooms, each with en suite facilities that will give residents the privacy, space and dignity that we all take for granted at home. For many, the Meath is home for life and it is vital that its residential accommodation is able to support the aim of encouraging as normal a life as possible. The Wing will also provide a new dining area and upgraded lounge as well as a new kitchen and a sophisticated monitoring system to detect residents’ seizures. Care at the Meath takes place round the clock, with dedicated day and night staff teams on hand seven days a week.

Today, most new residents are young people who usually have severe epilepsy coupled with other disabling problems. But, like all young people, they come armed with computers and play stations, music systems and high expectations. The new Bradbury Wing will be able to accommodate their lifestyles and aspirations.