Will you help us to support people living with sight loss?

Today, the following letter from our CEO, Kirstie Thomas, has been sent out to our clients, donors and supporters.  Please take a moment to have a read.  If you would like to find out more or make a donation please contact us on 01243 828555.

Since 1921 4Sight Vision Support (4SVS) has been supporting people in West Sussex who are blind or partially sighted.  Helping everyone to keep their independence, stay connected, and live life without limits. These are services we provide without charge. 

Now, we need your help. 

Six years ago, our government funding was cut, and we have been fighting to get it back ever since.  We are facing an increase in demand for our services, uncertainties with the changing government and the cost-of-living crisis (income is down and costs are going up).  

We are needed more than ever before, but we are concerned there will be no one there for people unless something changes. This year it will cost us £425,000 to support those who need us. Donations from our community is the only way we can continue to provide the help and support our clients need. 

In an ideal world, we wouldn’t need your support, people wouldn’t need our services, people wouldn’t lose their sight.  We can’t ‘fix’ sight loss, but we can help people to understand their sight loss and come to terms with living with it, providing information, tools and/or training to make tasks easier or possible again. 

I have experienced sight loss and, like me, you might understand the fear, devastation and anger I felt. I lost my sight, my job and my car in the same day.  I didn’t leave my house for six months, experiencing severe depression. I had no one to talk to or tell me that was not okay. 

It’s been a long time since I first experienced those feelings.  27 years ago, I was diagnosed with Stargardt Disease, a genetic form of Macular Degeneration that affects my central vision. 

Support from 4Sight Vision Support gave me my life back. 

I am extremely proud to be the first partially sighted Chief Executive Officer of 4Sight Vision Support. The charity was recommended to me after my diagnosis, and the amazing team helped me to come to terms with my sight loss, find new ways to maintain my independence and learn how to live life without limits. I started working for the charity 15 years ago, and now I’m leading our efforts to raise the funds we need. 

“Without 4Sight, I would be dead.” A real quote from our client Eddie (52) who had a stroke which caused the loss of half of his visual field. 

We know that times are hard, so please don’t give if you aren’t able to. Rest assured that any gift you give will make a difference. Thank you for your time. 

Yours sincerely,

Kirstie Thomas

Chief Executive Officer

To read more about our work and how we support local people