Conor is Fundraising for Sight Life!
One of our members and newest volunteers, Conor, will be taking part in a range of challenges to raise money for Sight Life! He aims to raise £1,000 to s
Learning to Accept Sight Loss
At 11 years old, Conor’s eyesight began to deteriorate following his diagnosis with a genetic eye condition.
During this time, he struggled to accept that he was partially sighted and with the social stigma he felt around his condition. Conor doesn’t use mobility aids such as a cane, so members of the public wouldn’t know he has sight loss. As a result, he felt judged and dismissed by others who didn’t believe his experiences of sight loss, which affected his mental health.
For a long time, Conor didn’t have the confidence to take part in challenges and activities he used to do before becoming partially sighted. He wasn’t in the right headspace or ready to take that step. But over time, Conor learned to accept his sight loss and adapt to life as a partially sighted individual.
Journey to Sight Life
Sight Life was a key part of Conor’s journey to accept his sight loss. He first heard about Sight Life, then Cardiff Institute for the Blind, from his uncle, Paul, who was a member. Paul took part in several fundraising activities for Sight Life, proving it was possible to do so in spite of his sight loss.
Conor joined UCAN Productions in Cardiff, a local performing arts group for young partially sighted people. There, they encouraged Conor to get in touch with Sight Life and access more support available for blind and partially sighted people.
Fundraising Challenges
At Sight Life, Conor felt accepted and included in a community of people with sight loss. Now, he knew it was not a barrier for him.
Conor previously fundraised for Sight Life by taking part in a drive for partially sighted people in Bridgend!
However, now he wants to take part in more challenges to prove to the world that partially sighted people can do whatever they set their minds to.
Conor will be taking part in several different challenges, ranging from knitting all the way to skydiving (even though he is scared of heights)!
Conor believes that the more you challenge yourself, the more you realise how capable you are. These challenges prove that he can do them in spite of the social stigma surrounding individuals with sight loss.
Becoming a Volunteer
These challenges aren’t enough for Conor – he has decided to become a volunteer for Sight Life as well!
Conor was inspired to give back and help others become motivated to do more with sight loss. He wants to reach others like him who didn’t want to get involved or accept their condition to show them how they can benefit from Sight Life.
With both his fundraising and volunteering, Conor recognises how important it is to raise money and help Sight Life to organise activities and reach even more people who could use the guidance and support they offer.
You can check out his progress and donate on his Just Giving page here: https://bit.ly/3KRY8FR.
Feeling Inspired?
If you’re inspired by Conor’s story and want to fundraise or volunteer for us, get in touch at [email protected] or 029 2039 8900. We would love to hear from you!
About Sight Life
Sight Life (formerly Cardiff Institute for the Blind) supports people who are blind or partially sighted in south Wales. In 2020/21 we helped more than 3,000 people in Cardiff, Swansea, RCT (Rhondda Cynon Taf), Neath and Port Talbot.
We provide statutory services to people with sight loss on behalf of the local Councils in Cardiff and Swansea.
In cooperation with the NHS, we provide a support service (ECLO: Eye Clinic Liaison Officer) for patients newly diagnosed with sight loss in University Hospital of Wales (UHW “The Heath”) in Cardiff.
Our aims are to ensure that people with sight loss can take part in all aspects of society, including work and leisure.
We offer a range of training, clubs and activities including audio-described theatre trips, confidence building, cooking, drama, employment support, fitness, gardening, IT, music, photography, rambling and yoga to people with sight loss.
Established in 1865, we are one of Wales’ oldest charities. In spring 2022 we returned to being an independent charity after being part of the UK wide RNIB Group since 2009.
We have approximately a dozen staff and annual income in the region of £440,000 from statutory contracts, grants, trusts, The National Lottery, donations and legacies.
Sight Life changed its name from Cardiff Institute for the Blind in 2019 to reflect the fact that we work beyond Cardiff, including Swansea and RCT (Rhondda Cynon Taf). The name change also recognises the fact that we support people with any degree of sight loss, not only those who are blind.
Please support our work and make a donation to Sight Life by clicking donate here.
To fundraise for us please click fundraising.
To volunteer with us please click volunteering.
Thank you!