Annie Maw: High Sheriff of Somerset

The role of High Sheriff is the most ancient secular position in our hierarchy having originated in Saxon times. Annie is the 798th known High Sheriff of Somerset, although certainly the first one to be confined to a wheelchair.

She will try to use the year to contribute in several ways. One interest with which she has become involved will encourage debate into the subject of Climate Change. This is a particular interest to those of us who are very dependent on electrically powered technology. Annie will lead a cavalcade of solar powered ‘Trampers’ from London to Somerset. These will each raise sponsorship funds for a different charity all of which are related to disability. Click here for more details about the "SolaRola" Adventure

She has also been approached by several different organisations to promote such issues as disabled access and the provision of equal opportunities for those with disabilities. It will be a challenge to fulfill the duties of a High Sheriff from a wheelchair, but she is determined to try to contribute to the welfare of those of the community who are less privileged.

Below is the full text of Annie's Appeal:

Appeal from Annie Maw, High Sheriff of Somerset

"Everyone has their favourite places - places which are of great significance within their lives. Not many people have an opportunity such as this at which to declare their favourite places in a prominent way.

I have been a guide in the Cathedral for some years and the friends I have made there have stood by me and supported me through some difficult times. The life of the Cathedral community has become very central to my life. I count Wells Cathedral as one of the best places I know. The Cathedral Chapter is about to open a new Entry Cloister as part of its Development Project which is the most significant new building within the Cathedral precinct for 500 years.

The Wells Cathedral Development Project has been built in four phases, the last of which will be completed during 2008. It will provide for visitors, a new perspective as they explore the buildings, the surroundings and their history. Areas, which have been closed for centuries, will now be open for music, for education and as gallery and exhibition space. The new restaurant and shop are located near to the entrance used in former centuries, and will provide an unmatched view of the famous statuary on the West Front.

Today’s tourists are yesterday’s pilgrims in this spiritual place. In Wells we can now proudly provide suitable and up to date facilities for those who wish to visit us at the centre of the medieval heritage of Somerset. I am proud to be associated with this prestigious new development – as a generation we can be justifiably proud to leave such a legacy. This event will help to raise the remaining sum of money needed to complete this wonderful project.

My other beneficiary is just as important to me.

In 2002 I sustained a serious spinal injury. I was airlifted to the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre at Odstock Hospital in Salisbury. The helicopter which rescued me from a hillside on the southern flank of Mendip, found me by locating the Cathedral Tower in the fog and following St Thomas Street out of town and into the wilderness above Horrington. For nine months I was an inpatient in the Spinal Centre as I was helped to restart my life. Eventually I was discharged from hospital as a permanent wheelchair occupant.

I’m one of the lucky ones having been injured at a time when my life was established and I had the support of a strong family. The average age of the spinal injury victim is around 20 years. Many of the accidents which result in such devastating consequences take place during the kinds of rash and daring activities which young people enjoy - so often these generate no financial compensation and do not entitle the victim to any insurance funds. They face discharge from hospital with no money and great difficulty with finding employment. The provision of even the most basic of the facilities they require, in order to start a satisfactory life, is beyond them.

I have been given the great privilege of choosing another charity to which the proceeds of this event should go. I have decided that it should be the Southern Spinal Injury Trust.

This is a fund recently established to provide a resource for these unfortunate people. They may apply to the SSIT for financial help with anything from alterations to their home to the provision of a suitable mattress for their bed, a simple ramp in a doorway or even an adequate wheelchair. What seems like a minor detail can make an enormous difference and can help a young person to regain his or her dignity and the chance of a fulfilling and independent life.

Thus I have been given the opportunity of contributing to the function of two of the places of most significance in my life. One provided me with physical care while the other continues to provide me with spiritual sustenance.

I hope that you will help me to host this production and in so doing, help others to be the recipients of a similar succour".
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