Remember a Charity Week 2010

This special week each year is designed to raise public awareness of how charities rely on the kindness of those who leave gifts in their wills. This year, the week centred around a photographic exhibition with the theme "Legacies through a Lens". The exhibition's photos represent what gifts in wills make possible for charities and the people we work with. The exhibition was held at the prestigious OXO Tower Gallery on London's South Bank and will hopefully tour the country over the coming months. Visibility's photograph for the exhibition was taken by professional photographer Ed Miller and features a young service user and Visibility’s own tandem expert Rosemary Cameron.

Natalie, the 13yr old girl at the back of the tandem, lost her sight because of a brain tumour. Every day she has to rely on her white cane or the support of others to move around. But when she is on the back of a tandem racing along she feels free. Natalie’s favourite time is racing down steep hills when she feels the wind in her hair, takes her feet off the pedals and freewheels, her joy can be heard for miles!

Visibility’s GO ACTIVE project provides Natalie and others with practical support and equipment to take up activities, explore, have adventures and grow in confidence in a safe and supportive way. The project works to open up the world for visually impaired people, helping them build their confidence, skills and an independent life. Without legacies Visibility’s GO ACTIVE project would not exist.

We are very grateful to Natalie and her parents and her fellow model Pauline Hart for giving up so much of their time to support our work. We were delighted that Natalie was a guest of honour at the launch of the exhibition in London. Despite a packed, noisy gallery and wet and windy weather, Natalie’s wonderful smile, patience and good humour was ever present. Thank you Natalie!


Natalie at the OXO Tower exhibition launch	Pauline and Layla in Bellahouson Park