A COMMUNITY champion has spoken of her fight to keep helping people despite almost losing her eyesight.

Councillor Joan Grimshaw was at a meeting at Manchester Town Hall representing Whitefield bus passengers last November when she fell ill and suffered severe eyesight problems.

The 72-year-old was diagnosed with a condition called retinal vein occlusion and, four operations later, she can only certain shapes and shades of light.

But Cllr Grimshaw, a former mayor of Bury, said she is battling on and is determined not to let the condition get in the way of her public service.

"It was quite scary when it happened and the operations have been tough too, but I am trying my best to get used to it and chugging on," said Cllr Grimshaw, who has represented Unsworth ward since 2007, having previously represented Pilkington Park.

She added: "It is a big challenge because, when I walk into a room, it takes me a while to adjust to it and it is hard for me to see people in detail from a distance."

That was evident at Thursday night’s meeting of Whitefield and Unsworth Township Forum at Elms Community Centre when Cllr Grimshaw, in her role as chairman, mistook a woman at the back of the room for a man.

The 40 people in attendance saw the funny side of the blunder and that, said Cllr Grimshaw, is typical of the support her local community has shown.

"Everyone has been wonderfully supportive. My husband Paul is a godsend. I can no longer drive so he runs me about when I need to visit constituents. He is very good," said the former nurse.

She added: "Bury Council staff have been great too.

"They have given me a magnifier so I can read my council e-mails and, when I need to get to council meetings and Paul isn't on hand, they provide a taxi."

Cllr Grimshaw has also vowed to carry on as chairman of Bury Carers Forum and several other groups and has thanked friends, family, colleagues and constituents for their "tremendous" support.