Hughes Calls On MPs To Support Southwark : The Movie To Raise Cash For Batten Research

12.00.00am GMT Fri 10th Oct 2003

Liberal Democrat Mayoral candidate and MP for Southwark and Bermondsey Simon Hughes MP, is calling on MPs and members of the public to go and see Southwark: The Movie, to raise money and awareness for four year old Jordan Harris who has the incurable fatal childhood disorder Late Infantile Batten Disease.

The debilitating disease starts at between 2 and 4 years old and causes seizures, blindness, loss of muscle co-ordination, mental deterioration and dementia. Finally Jordan will lie curled up, blind and speechless. The illness ends fatally in 10 to 15 years.

The film will be shown in UCI cinemas in Southwark and aims to raise money to donate to pioneering research in the US to halt the progression of the disease both in Jordan and other children with the condition. There are no projects in the UK that are currently looking into the treatment of the disease. An Early Day Motion and Parliamentary Questions have been tabled by Mr Hughes to highlight the forthcoming event.

Simon Hughes MP said: -

"The plight of Jordan and his family has touched the hearts of many people in Southwark and beyond. Juvenile Battens Disease is a cruel and painfully sad condition that causes heartache to numerous individuals. Many people across Britain have been forced to deal with a disease that is often unknown, unheard of and ignored.

"I have called in Parliament for MPs and people across Britain to support Southwark: The Movie so that vital cash can be raised to halt the progress of this disease to ensure that families can be given some hope that the disease can be stopped in its tracks."