The poetry of a retired Stanford-le-Hope man is to be used by Age Concern to raise awareness of Alzheimer's Disease.

Eddie Owers, 70, of Corringham Road, has been writing poetry since he retired five years ago.

He has already had three poems published in collections, including one in Baltimore, USA.

Eddie was inspired to write about Alzheimer's Disease following his experiences with his previous wife's mother.

The poem drew a strong response from presenters and viewers when it was aired on Radio Essex last week, and now Eddie has given it to Age Concern in Grays to be used in educating people about the condition.

He said: "I'd been in the nursing home on quite a few occasions, and probably 85 per cent of the residents had Alzheimer's.

"They had no one to visit them and nothing like birthday cards.

"People tend to assume that sufferers are insane. I wanted to bring that home in the nicest possible way, and that there's nothing to be feared of Alzheimer's sufferers from our point of view.

"I've achieved what I wanted to by writing the poem, and thought it might be nice if Age Concern could use it."

Eddie is now hoping to find a magazine or other publication in which he can print his work more regularly.

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