View source for Graeme brings stars and fans together

{{article
| publication = Evening Gazette
| file =
| px =
| height =
| width =
| date = 2014-05-19
| author = Mieka Smiles
| pages = 10
| language = English
| type =
| description =
| categories = conventions
| moreTitles =
| morePublications =
| moreDates =
| text =
TEESSIDE is set to play host to its biggest Dr Who convention to date - and it's all thanks to one man with a fascinating life story.

Graeme Parry, 35, has singlehandedly organised the August event and arranged a star-studded line up at Middlesbrough's Town Hall despite the special challenges he faces. 

Born with an extremely rare genetic condition called Alström syndrome, Graeme, who lives with his parents in Ormesby, is deaf, blind and diabetic.

His parents Brian, 60, and Barbara, 64, say they're immensely proud of Graeme who has "never complained in his whole life" despite the challenges he has faced.

The former Ormesby School and South Park Sixth Form pupil said: "I have been into Dr Who all of my life really and started watching it when I was about two or three-years-old.

"The reason I decided to hold an event in Middlesbrough is mainly through the frustration of having to travel around the country to get to the different events and I thought it would be great to host one in the area." The event will take place over the Bank Holiday weekend in August on August 23 and 24.

Visitors will be able to go along and have personal items signed as well as have photos taken with starts of the show both past and present including Paul McGann, Colin Baker, William Russell, Peter Purves, Anneke Wills and Ian Cullen.

Also appearing will be Fraser Hines, Deborah Watling, Louise Jameson, Philip Olivier and Tracey Childs, amongst many more.

Graeme says that people from all over the country - as well as far away as Holland - have already bought tickets for the event.

He said: "It was October or November when I started putting ideas together."

Brian said: "We're amazingly proud of him.

"He is one of only around 500 people in the world with his syndrome.

"He is really independent and just gets on with it.

"He gets very frustrated if you start interfering!

"We're just continually impressed by him."

Graeme, who has a degree in European studies and works full time as an officer at HMRC, is expecting up to 900 people to attend the event.

For more information about the event visit www.theshadowproclamation.com or contact the box office on 01642 729729. Tickets start from £50.

GRAPHIC: Graeme Parry from Ormesby is organising a Dr Who convention in August where past doctors and assistants as well as other cast members will meet fans. Graeme, who is pictured above left with former doctors Colin Baker and Paul McGann, is blind and deaf but has still organised the event on his own 


Spelling correction: Frazer Hines
}}