Seven year old Danny and five year old Hannah Simons, from Mill Hill have been involved in a national charity video project to highlight that just seven per cent of books are available to blind and partially sighted people. The video, made by sight loss charity the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), takes a light hearted look at a nation-wide problem to highlight its Read for RNIB Day appeal.
The film shows Danny and Hannah, who are sighted and attend Mathilda Marks Kennedy School in Mill Hill, alongside other children, some of whom had sight conditions, talking about the book Mole's Sunrise, a children's story published by Walker Books about a blind mole whose friends describe the sunrise for him.
Quotes from the film include: "The sunrise is like the biggest fire in the world." "If you get near it you're going to melt." "It's like a boiled egg without all the white runny stuff." "My eyes are special like Mole's." "I'm going to read braille so soon I can read it all by myself."
The film is available to watch on Youtube (http://bit.ly/REGYwc) or, if you would like to share the video with your school you can download a Read for RNIB Schools pack on RNIB's website: http://bit.ly/QP93hw.
There's still time to organise an event yourself. You could host a literary lunch, organise a book sale or lose yourself in a sponsored read. Read for RNIB Day is about having fun and making a difference to the almost 2 million people living with sight loss in the UK. Read for RNIB Day is 19 October 2012 but you can hold an event or challenge on any date. Even £1 can help blind and partially sighted people receive vital services including reading tools such as braille, giant print and Talking Books.
Download a Read for RNIB pack crammed with ideas and tips, visit www.readforrnib.org.uk or call 0845 345 0054 and help make 2012 Read for RNIB Day a success.
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Notes to editors
For further information please contact Jess Sweetman, PR Officer at RNIB on 0207 391 2081 or email jessica.sweetman@rnib.org.uk
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