This month we are celebrating the fundraising efforts of Simon Smyth. As a CamSight Service User, Simon wanted to give back and show gratitude for everything our teams have done since he became sight impaired. 

Although he had never done much fundraising before he embraced the opportunity to challenge himself. For Simon, this effort was symbolic—a way to prove to himself what he could accomplish. He found the fundraising experience uplifting, saying, “At my age, it’s rare to find something amazing that others haven’t heard about, so it was exciting to share CamSight’s work with so many new people.”

In his fundraising journey, Simon took on the Devil’s Dyke walk, close to the Cambridgeshire/Suffolk border, joined by his sister and a friend, Susan. The walk was more challenging than he’d anticipated, with thick undergrowth, stinging nettles, mud, and rocky patches. Yet, Simon found the experience exhilarating.

A highlight was crossing the Newmarket racecourse, a surreal and almost mystical moment that contrasted the tricky terrain. Reflecting on the journey, Simon felt both empowered and grateful for the support that made it possible. “With sufficient planning, anything is possible,” he says, an inspiring reminder of the resilience CamSight aims to foster in every individual we support.

Simon first contacted CamSight following a conversation with his friend from church when he mentioned he had noticed his sight changing. From that first call Simon felt understood and reassured.

CamSight have helped Simon navigate challenges he faced in his day-to-day life, from accessing work resources to managing the practicalities of his sight loss. He was especially grateful for our sensory services referral, which offered personalised, hands-on assistance. When Simon found himself overwhelmed by complex information and paperwork, CamSight staff stepped in to guide him through each step, restoring his confidence. As he puts it, “I can’t tell you how supportive that was!”

Simon values CamSight’s honest, thoughtful advice and credits our team, particularly Tahmina, with going above and beyond. Whether it was answering his questions or simply providing a listening ear, Simon knew CamSight was there for him. “With CamSight, I felt heard and supported every step of the way,” he shared.

We’re incredibly proud of his achievements and grateful to Simon for his first challenge for CamSight and here's to many more in the future! 

Image Description: A man sits in front of a CamSight banner, he is wearing a bright orange T-Shirt and smiles at the camera.