I got my first (Lion King) glasses when I was 8 and with a prescription of -8.5 my specs have long been my safety net. I was fortunate to grow up with optional extras to make life easier; clip-on sunglasses (I was cool), prescription swimming goggles, then contact lenses and even some creative Dad-inventions (old lenses stuck inside a snorkelling mask). A few months ago I went one better and benefitted from the incredible technology of Laser Eye Surgery. Within 3 days I was deemed legal to drive without visual aid (pretty hard to comprehend when you've lived through -8.5).

Wearing glasses wasn't an issue (unsurprisingly I was used to it), but I always felt vulnerable to any situation in which they could be ripped away. In an emergency my confidence and independence would instantly be gone. And yet too many people don't even have the privilege of a simple pair of glasses or access to the everyday eye care that we can take for granted. I feel extremely fortunate to have grown up shortsighted in my world, yet others are unnecessarily losing their sight to treatable conditions or struggling with everyday activities.

As I celebrate my first spec-free birthday in over 20 years, I'm asking friends and family to donate towards my fundraising campaign to give others the gift of sight. Thank you!