Campaign against ageism

ELY care worker Ed Mullenger joined hundreds of people from across the UK last Wednesday to lobby Westminster to combat ageism. Ed, 50, of High Barns joined the demonstration organised by Help the Aged to deliver a clear message to the Government to ban a

ELY care worker Ed Mullenger joined hundreds of people from across the UK last Wednesday to lobby Westminster to combat ageism.

Ed, 50, of High Barns joined the demonstration organised by Help the Aged to deliver a clear message to the Government to ban age discrimination.

The Just Equal Treatment campaign was organised to give people the chance to meet MPs face to face before the Government makes its final decision on new laws being drawn up in the forthcoming Equalities Bill.

Ed met South East Cambridgeshire MP, Jim Paice, during the lobby and discussed the need for new legislation to give the elderly the same protection as children.

Mr Paice agreed to raise the issue with Ruth Kelly, secretary of state for communities and local government.

Ed also discussed the matter with acclaimed actress Sylvia Syms who spoke at the lobby giving her support.

Ed said: "The whole event was very positive and I was able to talk to different people from all walks of life about elder abuse and discrimination."

Mr Paice said: "Discrimination on the grounds of age, whether in employment or everyday life, is wrong. It is damaging both to those who find themselves discriminated against and also to those organisations and people who choose to deny themselves access to valuable human resources.

"While we must be careful to avoid any unintended consequences which might be problematic for older people, I have great sympathy with the Help the Aged campaign and have raised the issue with the Government.