A man from Coventry who lost his sight to the eye condition diabetic retinopathy, has spoken out about why he is leaving a legacy to the charity that is close to his heart to mark National Remember a Charity Week 2011 (12 - 18 September).
John Vale, 65, from Whitmore Park lost what remained of his sight in 2002 and found it extremely difficult to cope. Eventually he was put in touch with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and, as John says "it all went from there."
RNIB gave John practical support and advice, and introduced him to useful equipment that would make life easier, such as talking clocks and watches as well as Talking Books and Audio Description, so he could watch TV and films.
John says: "RNIB is such an important organisation, I really don't know where I'd be without them. They have given me so much support over the years. Without the generosity of the public RNIB wouldn't be able to do the valuable work that they do, which is why I'm leaving a legacy to them and urge other people to do the same. Put simply, RNIB is a godsend."
Charlotte Smith, Legacy Marketing Manager at RNIB says: "Legacy gifts, no matter how small, are the foundation of much of the fantastic charitable work done in the UK and without people like John leaving money in their Will, many charities would struggle to exist. At RNIB much of our work helping people with sight loss is only possible thanks to Legacy gifts. Please give some thought to leaving RNIB a Legacy gift. With your help we will be here for blind and partially sighted people for many, many years to come."
For more information please contact RNIB on 0845 600 0313, legacyservices@rnib.org.uk or visit www.rnib.org.uk/legacy
ENDS
For more information please contact Jess Sweetman RNIB's Media Relations Team on 020 7391 2223, email Jessica.sweetman@rnib.org.uk
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Notes to editors:
About RNIB
Every day around 100 people in the UK start to lose their sight. There are around 2 million people in the UK with sight problems. RNIB is the leading charity working in the UK offering practical support, advice and information for anyone with sight difficulties. If you, or someone you know, has a sight problem RNIB can help. Call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk
About Remember A Charity Week
Remember A Charity Week (12 - 18 September 2011) is an awareness week organised by charity consortia Remember A Charity, which aims to shine a light on the importance of gifts in wills to charities. Currently only 7% of those that have wills go on to remember a charity. For more information visit www.rememberacharity.org.uk
Remember A Charity (www.rememberacharity.org.uk) was formed in 2000 and now has over 140 member charities, who work together to encourage more people to consider leaving a gift to charities in their will, after they've looked after their family and friends. Legacies (or gifts in wills) form the foundation of charities in the UK. Many charities depend on legacies, without them, they would not exist. The consortium is hosted by the Institute of Fundraising.