Living with a visual impairment all of my life and having to face a number of barriers I have come to be very passionate about making a difference and challenging the injustices faced by blind and partially sighted people. Which is why I am currently enjoying my role as a Volunteer Campaign Co-ordinator for the RNIB. I am lobbying and speaking up for other visually impaired people in Sunderland and across the North East, particularly about transport issues; I have been working closely with Nexus to improve accessibility on the Metro and other public transport.

I have also been hugely involved with the Hardest Hit campaign, in which I went to London for the march and to lobby my MP about my concerns regarding welfare reform. I also spoke at the Hardest Hit rally held in Newcastle last October.

Since graduating university with a BA in Health and Social Care I have gained paid work as a Volunteer Co-ordinator with the Sunderland and North Durham Royal Society for the Blind and as a Fundraiser for Sight Service in Gateshead.

I was also honoured to be nominated by the RNIB to be an Olympic Torchbearer and on June 16th I carried the torch with pride through my hometown of Sunderland.