“I’m Richard, a blind 52 year old, living in South Wiltshire. I’ve been volunteering and fundraising for Wiltshire Sight for several years now. It’s a charity that has supported me and many others throughout Wiltshire with our sight loss over the years, and they continue to do so.

Me and my guide dog Dilly, along with my friend Mark and his dog Mimi, are hoping to raise some funds to continue their good work. We're walking the South Downs Way, from Brighton to Winchester, then the Clarendon Way from Winchester to the Wiltshire Sight shop in Catherine Street, Salisbury, camping along the way."

Wiltshire Sight are the only charity providing face to face support to those living with or newly diagnosed with sight loss in Wiltshire and Swindon.

Our team of Community Sight Loss Advisors ensure that people receive the practical and emotional support that they need to live with their sight loss. This includes providing support on how to manage at home, getting out and about, understanding their eye condition and providing opportunities for social interactions and peer support.

One client told us “All the small tips, like using a chip pan basket for cooking vegetables in or putting bumpons on the oven, seem so simple but have made a big difference.” He had been struggling in the kitchen, but he is now able to manage.

And the impact of our emotional support can be just as important. Another client told us "It's had the biggest impact on my confidence and approach. When I first lost my sight, I was really scared. But the support made me realise life hadn't come to an end and that I can still contribute. I had thought I couldn't do anything, but now I'm doing most of what I was before.”

We are so grateful to Richard for choosing to support Wiltshire Sight.

www.wiltshiresight.org