At Downing Street for Mencap

7 Jun 20137
Edge was in London recently for a Mencap  reception hosted by Samantha Cameron at 10 Downing Street. Mencap is the national voice of learning disability in the UK.
 
As well as sharing news of the past year, Mencap chief executive Jan Tregelles outlined plans to reach a million people with information about learning disability and the help the organisation offers.

Other Mencap ambassadors at Downing Street included Sunday Times journalist Kate Spicer, whose brother Tom has Fragile X Syndrome, and Radio 2 DJ Jo Whiley, sister of Frances, who has a learning disability. Jo, a longtime friend of U2, is MC of Mencap's annual music nights The Little Noise Sessions  - Edge and Bono performed at Little Noise in 2007.

'Not many people know what a learning disability is,' explains Edge. 'Or the challenges people with a learning disability face. I've seen how much work goes into Mencap and want to continue to see it flourish.'
 
Edge was accompanied by his cousin Ciara Lawrence who works for Mencap as a celebrity booker and campaigns assistant. Caroline White blogged about the evening for MENCAP and had a chat with Edge.
 'I had to speak to him! So I got my introduction and also met his wonderfully inspiring cousin Ciara who has a learning disability and works for Mencap. She excitedly told me how she had just got married and showed me her wedding ring. The Edge told of what a special day it had been, his pride (see what I did there?) gushingly obvious. I said to her, 'That’s one pretty cool cousin to have,' and The Edge was quick to chip in that, actually, 'she’s one pretty cool cousin to have'. Lovely.'
Comments
7
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mikey007
Awesome
Great to see EDGE! I'm a High School Special Education teacher, and you're correct about people not understanding what a learning disability is and also the challenges these people face. Rock on!
Eilis
Thank you, Edge!
I have a cousin with autism, and when I hear stories like this one about people like The Edge supporting people with learning disabilities, it makes me so happy. Keep up the good work, Edge and Mencap!
kiwigurl
You Rock Edge!!
I have two teen boys with Autism. Anything that raises awareness and helps improve the lives of those who struggle with what we take for granted has to be commended So many people don't bother unless it affects them directly . Thanks so much!.
buckstop3p
Awareness
I have a pretty cool daughter. She has autism. It's through the efforts of the people who have such fame as The Edge/U2 that more people are made aware of the differences in others who struggle learning what we take for granted every day. The more we are made aware, the more we understand and can accept. So, thank you, Edge and Mencap!
babyface82
lovely!
I'm so proud to be a fan of this man! A great artist and a very beautiful soul!
NanyandGonzo
Evidence of humans walking on Earth
No more words to these beautiful humans who not only give is part ot themselves in their music and lyrics but also like sharing what they think is best for humans. Sharing, helping, making conscience, endless things we ought to learn to include in our everyday life. A Beautiful Day indeed.
Alcon
Excellent
Great to know the guys of U2 are all behind these great causes , sure it will inspire a lot of people to take heed & support too LETS BRING BACK THE CLAW & DO IT ALL AGAIN (please )
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