A COUNCILLOR will take part in a 24-hour sponsored silence this month to raise awareness of a condition that his father suffered in his final days.

Cllr Giles Davies, of Abersychan ward, has thrown his support behind the Motor Neurone Disease Association in memory of his father Douglas Richard Davies.

The well-known figure died at home at the age 88 this year and was a former Abersychan councillor 1990 - 2004 and former mayor.

The roles were later taken up by son, Giles, who followed in his father’s footsteps as a councillor for the same ward and as Torfaen County Borough Council's mayor 2015/16.

Cllr Davies aims to take part in the sponsored silence on October 19 and has already raised £80 of a £200 goal on a 'JustGiving' page.

A description on the page, by Cllr Davies, said: "My father was recently killed by Motor Neurone Disease which first took his voice.

"A month to the date of his funeral I will stay silent for 24 hours to raise awareness of this dreadful disease which destroys your voice, then body but your mind stays the same, trapped inside a failing shell.

"On October 19 I have a webcast meeting and a presentation evening as a Councillor to attend.

"I am hoping that by staying silent I will raise funds to help supply voice aids to those affected."

As previously reported, Cllr Davies described his father as a man he "always looked up to and respected" and as a "role model".

To donate to Cllr Giles's fundraiser, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/13256607-silence-speaks-1506696270050?utm_id=13