SINGLE mum Judy Choules has set up a support group for the profoundly deaf and their families in Swindon.

Ms Choules, 43, will be kick starting the group with a dinner dance fundraiser tonight with Pop Idol runner up Matt Dillion.

She was inspired to set up the club, called Hear Me Now, after her daughter Jemma Farrow, 20, was diagnosed as being profoundly deaf following a severe attack of meningitis when she was just three months old.

Staff at the former Princess Margaret Hospital battled for eight weeks to save her life but she was left with the deafness and cerebral palsy.

“There are 12,000 people who suffer from profound hearing loss who live within 30 minutes of Swindon and there is a lack of social workers who can sign,’’ said Judy.

“Here Me Now is for deaf and autistic children and their families.

“It is to help them cope in a hearing world and not live in a bubble. We want to promote links to service providers, a one stop shop for social and aid. In Swindon from the ages of 0-16 there are pretty good services for the deaf but once they get to adulthood there are no choices, which is why Jemma goes to Exeter.”

Her daughter, as well as studying in mainstream education, is taking learning skills in floristry, hairdressing, cooking, rock climbing, abseiling, canoeing and pot holing.

“It is all about not wrapping them in cotton wool and projecting the disability as a positive rather than a negative,” said Judy.

Tonight’s event, being held in Swindon Town Football Club from 7pm, will see Pop Idol runner up Matt performing a tribute to Robbie Williams.

He has also appeared on TV’s Stars In Their Eyes.

Tickets are £30 and available by calling 07787735121 or on the door.