OMAGH BOMB VICTIM TO STAR IN RNIB ADVERTISEMENT
Omagh bomb victim to star in RNIB advertisement
THE Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) has made an inspirational advertisement, appealing for public support for the work of the charity. It is to play a key role in the sight loss charity's fundraising programme.
The advertisement features Omagh bomb victim, Claire Gallagher, who lost her sight in the 1998 atrocity. Claire, a music student at Queen's
University, Belfast, tells her story along with five year old Megan Ballantine, from Belfast, who was born without eyes a condition known as anophalmia and with them is 93-year-old William Jackson, from Enniskillen, who will tell of his gradual sight loss over the years. He is now an
RNIB Talking Books member.
Claire's experience will, hopefully, hammer home universal messages about sight loss. Sight loss is one of the main causes of disability in the UK and Ireland. RNIB estimates that everyday another 100 people start to lose their sight. For some, sight loss can come suddenly and totally, but most people's experience of sight loss is gradual and partial.
People who experience sight loss do live rewarding lives - if the right forms of support are available at the right time.
Claire said: "I took part in the filming about six weeks ago. It was really focussed on the way the RNIB has helped me since my blindness".
The charity's work in Northern Ireland and across the UK depends heavily on the support of the general public and the inspirational messages from Claire, Megan and William will show a national audience how RNIB helps people with sight loss to lead normal lives.
The advertisement will be broadcast between August 11 and 22 and will be on Channel 4, Channel 5 and many digital channels.
THE Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) has made an inspirational advertisement, appealing for public support for the work of the charity. It is to play a key role in the sight loss charity's fundraising programme.
The advertisement features Omagh bomb victim, Claire Gallagher, who lost her sight in the 1998 atrocity. Claire, a music student at Queen's
University, Belfast, tells her story along with five year old Megan Ballantine, from Belfast, who was born without eyes a condition known as anophalmia and with them is 93-year-old William Jackson, from Enniskillen, who will tell of his gradual sight loss over the years. He is now an
RNIB Talking Books member.
Claire's experience will, hopefully, hammer home universal messages about sight loss. Sight loss is one of the main causes of disability in the UK and Ireland. RNIB estimates that everyday another 100 people start to lose their sight. For some, sight loss can come suddenly and totally, but most people's experience of sight loss is gradual and partial.
People who experience sight loss do live rewarding lives - if the right forms of support are available at the right time.
Claire said: "I took part in the filming about six weeks ago. It was really focussed on the way the RNIB has helped me since my blindness".
The charity's work in Northern Ireland and across the UK depends heavily on the support of the general public and the inspirational messages from Claire, Megan and William will show a national audience how RNIB helps people with sight loss to lead normal lives.
The advertisement will be broadcast between August 11 and 22 and will be on Channel 4, Channel 5 and many digital channels.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1623
Published Date: 14-Aug-03
Related Images
