IN TIMES OF trouble the local British and Irish community has always come together and it was no different when news broke recently that Rita Payne, a stalwart of our community for over 30 years, had been stricken with Autosomal Recessive Cerebellar Ataxia.
Originally from Dublin, Rita (pictured, left) came to these shores with her sisters, Mary and Colette, and has worked in many of our local bars and restaurants over the years. Rita put herself through Santa Monica college and got her hairdressing licence. Along with helping many in our community throughout the years, she has brought up her daughter, Colette, single-handed, and done a fine job of doing so with Colette graduating high school this year.
Autosomal Recessive Cerebellar Ataxia is a very rare disease which causes impaired speech, coordination and balance which has resulted in Rita using a cane/zimmer frame to walk. She has had to give up her hairdressing position in Pacific Palisades, as she can no longer drive there or continue to stand on her own. This is also starting to affect Rita’s speech.
Please join us in helping Rita with her financial difficulty through a couple of events. On October 3rd start the day off right with the ‘ROCK THE WALK FOR RITA!’ This is for kids and adults in our fabulous community and we will walk from Santa Monica Pier to Venice Beach. Following this we will be holding a benefit for Rita at the Cock n Bull pub, in Santa Monica, with the fabulous DJ Danny, who just happens to be Rita’s brother in law. There will be raffle prizes and lots of other good stuff to raise money. This is a great way for us all to get together for a great cause. Hope to see you there, everyone is welcome! To make a donation visit www.gofundme.com/rockitforrita
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