Sevenoaks woman urges local people to join new campaign group

A Kent woman is throwing her weight behind the campaign for assisted dying in her mother’s memory, and is urging people across the county to join her. Lyn Owens Ward, 57 from Sevenoaks, is encouraging local people to join a new group in support of a campaign to allow terminally ill people to die with dignity. The group meets for the first time on Thursday 12th January at Sevenoaks Library and anyone is welcome to join.

Lyn, along with a group of people across Kent, is supporting Dignity in Dying in calling for assisted dying to be legalised so that terminally ill people are given choice and control over their death. The group is meeting for the first time on Thursday 12th where they will hear from a representative of Dignity in Dying, share their reasons for supporting the campaign and brainstorm ideas for campaigning in the local area.

The issue is a personal one for Lyn, whose mother tragically suffered in her final months of life. Lyn explained:

“Having had a full and active life, my mum Edna was in care for the last six months of her life and it was then that she yearned for an ending to her suffering. Tragically, we could do nothing to help her. She then asked that I continue to work on changing the law to allow assisted dying when she was no longer here. So I am following through her request: to give us choice to end our lives with dignity, when we cannot endure any longer.

“If this is a cause you care about, join our new group – now is your chance to have a voice.”

Dignity in Dying campaigns for a change in the law to allow terminally ill, mentally competent adults with less than six months to live to have the option of a safe, legal assisted death.

Fran Hall, Campaigner Support Officer at Dignity in Dying, said:

“We believe that everyone has the right to die with dignity and have choice and control at the end of life, but sadly this is not the case for terminally ill people in this country. Instead many dying people are forced to suffer in their final months or take drastic action to wrestle back control – either by ending their own lives at home, frightened and alone, or travelling abroad for an assisted death at great financial and emotional cost.

“If you agree that this is unacceptable, please join us. Anyone is welcome to come along to our meeting on the 12th, whether you want to help or just learn more about the campaign. No experience is necessary, just bring passion and enthusiasm! Together we can make change happen and give terminally ill people the dignity they deserve.”

When: Thursday 12th January at 6pm (for a 6:15pm start)
Where: Sevenoaks Library, Buckhurst Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1LQ
Getting there: The nearest station is Sevenoaks (20 minutes’ walk). The museum and library are signposted from the High Street. There is a Pay & Display car park with designated bays for Blue Badge holders nearby. The venue is accessible for wheelchair users. For more information please call the library on 0300 041 3131.

***ENDS***

For more information please contact Ellie Ball, Media and Campaigns Officer at Dignity in Dying at ellie.ball@dignityindying.org.uk or 0207 479 7732.

Notes to Editor
Dignity in Dying campaigns for greater choice, control and access to services at the end of life. It advocates providing terminally ill adults with the option of an assisted death, within strict legal safeguards, and for universal access to high quality end-of-life care.