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Meet Richard and Amanda, supporters of our Eye Appeal

After hearing about our campaign they attended one of our launch evenings and have been keen to help out wherever possible since.

Never ones to sit still, the couple decided to move to North Yorkshire from their previous home in Berkshire, purely to explore a new area (and why not - we have plenty here to see!) Having only moved in December they have wasted no time in getting involved with the community and have even joined our team of Friends of the Friarage volunteers, with Amanda having already helped out at our Awareness Day with the Macular Society in Richmond last month.

The couple have a personal connection to the Eye Appeal which is why they are so keen to support it. Richard has a long standing eye condition which means that he has attended many hospital appointments over the years, and now the couple have moved to North Yorkshire, he attends regular appointments at the Friarage with further appointments due to take place at James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough.

Amanda has been busy counting up all the loose change they've saved in jars around the house over the years and has made more than one donation to our JustGiving page. One of the many ways Richard is supporting our appeal is by making bird boxes which he has been selling locally to neighbours and friends and donating the funds raised to our appeal. The bird boxes are beautiful and would look wonderful in any garden. The box Richard and Amanda are pictured with is fairly large - suitable for sparrows and great tits - however Richard also has plans to make some smaller boxes which would be suitable for blue tits.

We have a small selection of the boxes available to buy in our hospital shop and Richard can also make these to order. Why not help support our charity while helping the local wildlife too! Richard very generously donates 100% of the sale to our appeal - taking no amount for the cost of materials or time taken to make them.

We are so grateful for all the energy Richard and Amanda are putting into getting behind our appeal, they know just how much it would mean for eye patients in Hambleton and Richmondshire to be treated closer to home, without the need to travel to JCUH. Amanda is also aware of the benefit to the environment which shorter journeys would bring.

If you would like to get behind our Eye Appeal as Richard and Amanda have done, here are a few ways you can help:

  • Join our team of volunteers
  • Make a donation or hold your own fundraising event
  • Donate to our pre-loved bookshelf
  • Donate tombola or raffle prizes
  • Spread awareness in your local area