Action featured on Channel 4's The Secret Millionaire

Action employee Bernie Reddington from Norwich will appear on Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire on Sunday 30 October at 9:00pm, raising awareness of the challenges faced by people with sight loss. During the programme, Bernie provides millionaire Ed Douglas Miller an insight into what it means to live with sight loss.

Bernie says: “The entire event was a complete surprise, but it was brilliant to meet Ed and get to spend time with him. Visually impaired people have to deal with many extra barriers just to do ordinary things sighted people take for granted. I'm so glad he's taken an interest.”

As part of Bernie's working day as a trainee assistive technology coordinator for Action, she and Ed meet visually impaired service users Sarah Wilby and couple Kelci and Paul Monaghan to discuss how technology could help make their lives easier.

At the end of the programme, Ed asks if part of his gift can be used to give both families a specially designed GPS device, which helps people with sight loss make trips on their own more easily.

The remainder of Ed’s donation will allow Bernie’s position with Action to be extended for 12 months starting from 1 April 2012. In this time, Bernie will provide support and training to approximately 120 additional visually impaired people, helping them access technology and software to help them live more independently. Her position is currently funded by the Big Lottery Reaching Communities Fund.

Ed says: “It was a huge privilege to meet Bernie and understand the work Action for Blind People does to help people come to terms with their sight loss. Bernie exudes an amazing amount of warmth to her clients, helping them find the courage to carry on with their lives.

“I was shocked to learn about all the additional difficulties visually impaired people face in living and integrating into their communities. It’s important that people like Bernie and organisations like Action take the initiative to raise awareness of the support available to blind and partially sighted people.”

For further information about services provided locally by Action please contact your local team.

Find out more about Bernie.

The secret millionaire on Channel 4.

Find out more about Ed's remarkable eco company.

Posted on 27 October 2011, in Action