Fareham’s Local Hero
772. Betty Richards
Betty Richards, aged 90, is the founder of the ‘Fareham Macular Support Group’.
Betty herself suffers from macular degeneration, which is the most common cause of sight loss in the UK. Despite this, Betty undertakes a regular schedule of volunteering for charities including the ‘Macular Society’, and her fundraising includes abseiling 100m down Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower. Betty is also the founder of the ‘Fareham Musical Society’, whose 30 members have put on over 75 productions since 1983, for the benefit of the local community. Betty is a local hero and has been recognised by various local organisations in the last five years.
In a personal letter to Betty, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
“Your voluntary and fundraising work with the ‘Fareham Macular Support Group’, the ‘Macular Society’, and the ‘Fareham Musical Society’ is truly remarkable. The longevity of your volunteering means that you have had a positive impact on so many communities in Fareham and you should be proud of how many people you have helped in your local area.”