Blog: My family will always be grateful to Eileen Sandford

Blog: My family was very sad to hear of the death of Shrewsbury's ex-mayor Eileen Sandford, writes teen blogger Liam Thomas.

Mrs Sandford was known by many and helped many people in different ways.

If it wasn't for her help, I would not be in the happy situation that I am now.

Our last home was in a rather troubled area of Shrewsbury.

We had problems; there was regular abuse whenever we left the house, and also the daily routine of returning home to find eggs had been thrown at the building.

We turned to Mrs Sandford for help. Within two months we had been moved into another house in a different area of Shrewsbury.

Her passion for the community was overwhelming. I've been to several local joint committee meetings where Mrs Sandford was present.

She was always arguing her case passionately, but never for her own benefit, always for the benefit of others. Whether it was funding for community groups, or the loss of a bus service, Eileen would be there supporting the good cause.

Mrs Sandford was never the person to turn down a challenge. Shortly before Theatre Severn opened I did a zip line challenge from the building and over the river in aid of Severn Hospice. Eileen was there too, and not only was she doing the zip line, she was abseiling as well!

If I turn out to be half the person that Mrs Sandford was, and if I have have half the impact on my community that she had, then I will be very happy.

Mrs Sandford will be sadly missed by me, and many other people in Shrewsbury.

Liam Thomas