We would like to thank all our supporters for donating over the past year - your generosity has allowed us to achieve so much.
Below you will find updates on some of the projects that we featured in our appeals – these have changed the lives of hundreds of blind and visually impaired people.
We could not have done this without your support, and for that I am very grateful. You, and generous others like you, gave nearly £100,000 to our appeals during the year, which has allowed us to do so much.
Without your continuing kindness many blind people would be living much more difficult, isolated and lonely lives.
I hope the stories below will inspire you and make you feel proud of what you have achieved. At the same time, I hope you will give again to help blind people in 2012. If you haven't donated to us before, or it has been a while since we've had your support, I hope these stories will inspire you to action.
Jenny continues to help blind children and their families
“Raising a blind child is an experience filled with adventure!” explained one parent of a blind child.
One of the children who benefits
They described in detail the ups and downs that they faced: “Some days are hectic, others are peaceful. Some days you are surprised at how far you and your child have come, and other days you are surprised by how far you still have left to go.
“Some days you celebrate your child's achievements, and other days you cope with bad news concerning your child's medical condition.”
You may remember that before Christmas, I told you the story of Jenny Holder, a Family Support Worker who is funded by the GLFB.
She is still hard at work. Over the festive period she helped families cope with the emotional rollercoaster of looking after a blind child.
With her help, many families overcame tough challenges to have a very happy Christmas, filled with love and hope.
I also wanted to let you know that Jenny and her colleagues have recently introduced a new way of helping families cope: “A few families have expressed an interest in meeting with other families to reduce isolation and share their experiences, with a view of helping them to cope with life in general.”
I am happy to report that this new project has begun, with informal meetings in the London office being attended by local families who find support and comfort in one another.
Jenny's amazing work continues thanks to your generosity.
Tandem bicycles – teamwork leads to friendship and new skills
I’d like to sh
Tracy, Russell and guide dog Irwin at the finishare an inspiring story with you.
In September, a group of visually impaired cyclists (that have previously received funding from the GLFB) took part in a London to Brighton cycle race. On tandems with their sighted front riders they set off on a cold, damp autumn morning on the 84 mile journey.
As they coped with steep, exhausting hills, broken chains and strong gusty winds, they battled their way to the finish line. In the process, they raised over £2,000 which will be used to help other blind and visually impaired people in London.
As one of the visually impaired cyclists explained: “I’m lucky to have a supportive family and they help me overcome many of the everyday problems I face. I know there are thousands of other blind people who aren’t so fortunate. That’s why I was delighted to test my endurance and push myself to raise funds for those less fortunate than myself.”
These cyclists jumped at the chance to use their skills to benefit others. I hope you will be as impressed as I was at this lovely example of members of the visually impaired community ‘giving back’ to those less fortunate.
Thanks to you, the tandem bicycle programme I told you about in July is now up and running – allowing other blind and visually impaired people to share this new skill, get some exercise and make friends.
From lessons to concerts – playing guitar with Danny 
Danny and one of his pupils
Danny’s guitar classes are also going well thanks to your support.
He’s now got almost 20 pupils coming to him weekly for lessons, and is even putting on a public showcase of their talents this month.
Speaking to Danny, it is obvious the huge difference he makes in the lives of isolated visually impaired people: “I’m not only teaching them guitar, they’ve got someone to talk to, they tell me about their problems, tell me what they’d like to do, what they listen to.”
Danny is not only a guitar instructor, but also a friend and, for many, a vital link with the outside world. He wouldn’t be able to fulfil this role without your support.
Marjorie and friends celebrate the festive season
Back in October, I told you about Marjorie and her friends, who attend a lunch club run by one of our member societies. I’m happy to tell you that Marjorie has had a wonderful festive season, thanks to your help.
Before Christmas the group crafted some cards for their loved ones, all the while eating mince pies and enjoying some Christmas music!
Marjorie has pointed out that many of the group’s shared activities involve eating – this isn’t because they’re greedy! It’s because cooking at home can be extremely difficult without your vision, and eating out is for some an equally scary prospect.
This month the group will celebrate the New Year by going out to eat at an Italian restaurant – a very rare treat for the members who don’t have the confidence to endure busy, bustling restaurants and cafés.
Continuing our work in 2012 – with your help
In 2011, we have helped thousands of blind people in London to get the best from life.
But our work continues – there are many isolated and vulnerable blind people our services have yet to reach, and every day in hospitals across London new diagnoses of visual impairment are being made.
I cannot thank you enough for your support of the Fund, and I hope you will continue to help us make a difference.
I do hope you will be able to support us again in 2012 – together we can solve many other problems faced by partially sighted people.
Here are some of the things your donation could fund in 2012:
- £10 will pay for specialist telephone support for the family of a visually impaired child
- £20 pays for a guitar lesson for a partially sighted person
- £35 would pay for a cooking lesson for a visually impaired person, giving them new skills and confidence
- £75 will cover the cost of a selection of specially adapted kitchen equipment, giving a blind person vital independence
- £150 will pay for a day of work by a Liaison Officer, who provides emotional and practical support to those newly diagnosed with a visual impairment
