Visually impaired man to take on Yorkshire Peaks for Galloway's Society for the Blind

Galloway’s Society for the Blind’s activity co-ordinator, James Coulton, will be joined by the organisation’s volunteers and service users to raise more money for people living with sight loss.

The trek will form part of the Galloway’s Get Active programme, led by James, which is just one of the many services offered by Galloway’s to support people through any stage of sight loss. The Get Active programme hosts a range of outdoor and indoor activities to give local blind and partially sighted people the opportunity to experience things that people may think aren’t achievable when you have sight loss, rebuild confidence and promote independence and healthy living.

James, 49, said: “Living with sight loss myself, I know how people can feel when they’re told the devastating news that nothing more can be done for your sight. I see daily examples of inspirational people through the Galloway’s Get Active programme and understand how the activities we offer help to rebuild people’s confidence and combat feelings of isolation. Some of the members of the Get Active group; myself and some incredible volunteers wanted to really test ourselves and our own ability, whilst raising money for Galloway’s – a charity that I have the privilege to work for, but a charity that has helped me a lot in coming to terms with my own sight loss.”

Galloway’s support more than 7,000 blind and partially sighted people each year. It has a bases in Penwortham, Chorley and Morecambe and needs to raise £1m each year to continue the breadth of services they offer which includes emotional support, practical information and guidance, outdoor pursuits, talking newspapers and much more.

James added: “We’re raising money for Galloway’s because I have experienced and see first- hand how their support and services are a life-line to people living with sight loss. This will be a real challenge for me and the group, but we know that together, we can achieve it.” Anybody wishing to sponsor the team can visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?pageId=915792

Lancashire Post and Galloway’s are joining forces for an appeal - Gallowheels - to raise £50,000 for a new minibus.To make a donation visit http://www.galloways.org.uk/gallowheels; Call: 01772 744148 Text: GALL25 £amount, £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10, to 70070, or send a cheque payable to Galloway’s to: Galloway’s Society for the Blind, Howick House, Howick Park Avenue, Penwortham, PR1 0LS.