A woman from Waterlooville, who lost her sight to the eye condition retinitis pigmentosa, has spoken out about why she is leaving a legacy to the charity that is close to her heart in order to mark National Remember a Charity Week (12 - 18 September 2011).
Fiona Drinan lost her sight just before her 40th birthday and felt like her life was falling apart. It wasn't until she contacted the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) that she began to get her life back. RNIB gave her vital advice about her sight condition, employment, equipment to help her find her way around and the ability to enjoy books again through the RNIB Talking Book Service.
Several years on and Fiona has discovered a new life with hobbies such as gardening and cooking. Fiona has decided to leave a legacy in her Will to the people who helped her, and thousands like her.
Fiona says: "I am proud to have got where I am today, and couldn't have done it without the help of RNIB. Every day they help thousands of people who have lost their sight to find their lives again. 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. Without RNIB I would have literally been 'left in the dark'."
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 Fiona leaving money in their Wills, many charities would struggle to exist. At RNIB much of our vital 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.