Ealing Charity Founder Dies

Funeral will be held today for Sheila Draper

The founder of an Ealing based charity which helps people affected by a gene disorder has died.

Sheila Draper - former Mayoress of Merton Council - founded the Charge Trust - a rare condition which affecting her son Gregory.

A funeral will be held today for the mother-of-three at 10am at St. Joseph 's Catholic Church in Colliers Wood High Street. A cremation service will follow at Garth Road Crematorium.

There will be a reception to celebrate Sheila's life at Colliers Wood Community Centre in the High Street.

Mrs Draper's family has requested there be no flowers but would welcome donations to The Charge Trust (c/o 12 Wellington Road, London, W5 4UH).

Sheila founded the Trust, which offers family support for those affected by Charge Syndrome and more information can be found at www.chargesyndrome.org.uk.

Mayor of Merton, Councillor Oonagh Moulton said: "Sheila's death was a shock to many of us. She will be missed by her colleagues and friends from across the council. Her dedication to her work for the borough during Councillor Draper's mayoralty led to thousands of pounds being raised to benefit charities in Merton. The organisation she set up herself to help families affected by Charge Syndrome has also been of immense support to a lot of people."

Leader of Merton Council Councillor Stephen Alambritis said: "I feel privileged to have known Sheila. She was someone in whose company it was always a pleasure to be. Generous-spirited and caring, Sheila brought a sense of well-being to everyone she came into contact with. Even though she had been seriously ill, she never let this get in the way of the huge amount of work she did for others."

February 15, 2011