Soldier walking 500 miles to fight for daughter’s place at blind school

Feb 23 2010

Dear Editor, – Mac McGearey, a soldier based at Redford Barracks with 23 years’ service, is walking 500 miles round Scotland to raise money to fund a place at the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh for his severely disabled 13-year-old daughter Ciara, while he attempts to fight a decision by the City of Edinburgh Council not to fund the placement. Mac aimed to reach Perth yesterday (Monday).

When Ciara was just three days old she contracted meningitis, leaving her blind, unable to speak and suffering from a number of other disabilities. From the age of six months she received specialist care at Edinburgh’s Royal Blind School but when Mac was posted to England his family had to move with him.

Despite the best efforts of Ciara’s new school it was clear that her quality of life was deteriorating. When the family received a much-welcomed return posting to Edinburgh, the Council refused to fund the place.

An independent tribunal ruled that the Royal Blind School is best suited to provide the care Ciara needs but the Council has hired a prominent advocate to appeal the tribunal’s decision at substantial cost to the taxpayer.

Mac and his family believe the Council is putting cost considerations ahead of Ciara’s care needs and that he is being unfairly treated because of the nature of his job. As a serving soldier, he does not have a choice over where he is posted.

Veterans’ charity Poppyscotland is supporting the family in its efforts to raise enough money to get Ciara the care she requires until the case is heard at the Court of Session. As well as providing fundraising and marketing expertise to help Mac on his walk, the charity is giving the family a grant to get Ciara back into the Royal Blind School for the time that Mac is doing the walk.

This is a clear instance of a family who need and are entitled to very specific support from the local authority. They are being disadvantaged because of Mr McGearey’s military service.

People wishing to support the 500 Miles for Ciara appeal should visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk/ciara where they can find out more, donate or sponsor Mac on his walk.

Mac’s walk is scheduled to finish at Edinburgh Castle on Friday.

Ian McGregor,

Chief Executive, Poppyscotland.