Story
<p>Hello All,</p>
<p>May I take a few minutes of your time, please? Close your eyes and ask yourself: "What would I miss if I lost my sight?".... It may be hard to imagine what life with a visual impairment might be like for your but for many people this is reality. For example not being able to see your partner's / cildrens' / family's faces, pretty flowes in a field, join in social / sports activities with your firends, losing your independence and not being able to drive etc. These are simply a few examples of what people who have lost heir sight say they miss.</p>
<p>Adjusgint to life with sight loss can be very challenging and this is the reason why I am raising funds for the Bournemouth Society for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) who this year is celebrating 100 glorious years of supporting blind and partially sighted people and their families. So what difference can BSVI make to people's lives? The charity offers many services, including a professional Emotional Support / Counselling Service for people who are struggling to come to terms with their sight loss, various social activities suited to different age groups at the welcoming BSVI Centre which can offer companionship and friendship to people who would otherwise feel isolated in their own homes, a Sight & Hearing Resource Centre with a wide range of equipment to help people regain or maintain their independence since losing their sight, a Befriending Service for people who feel isolated, A Support Worekr who can helpe adults in the Bournemouth area with specific tasks / goals in order for them to remain independent in their own homes. ActiveEyes group for children aged 8 years +.</p>
<p>On Thursday 13th October, I will be doing an 11 mile sponsored Tandem ride. Being visually impaired you may be glad to know that I am riding on the back (I have been known to stear from the back in the past though!) Joking aside, with my son Charlie only being 14 months old, 11 miles will feel quite a challenge for me, as I haven't had time time to do any real exercise and it's been many yeras since I have been on a Tandem!!! The BSVI Bike & Hike event starts at 10.30 am from Boscombe Pier taking us to the furthest point at Hengisbury Head, then back past Boscombe Pier again all the way to Alum Chine and finally back to Boscombe Pier. Whether people are cycling, running or walking, the event will finish at 2.30 pm.</p>
<p>BSVI is largely self fudned and especially in these difficult times this ca be tricky. However, without any funds BSVI would not be able to continue its invaluable work for visually impaired people who live in the Bournemouth and surrounding area.</p>
<p>Please could I ask you to share this page with your friends / families / colleagues if you feel BSVI is worth supporting. The more supporters we get, the more money we will raise. If you would like to donate towards this event it couldn't be easier. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.</p>
<p>So please if you can, dig deep and donate now. - THANK YOU! </p>