We are now being joined by nominees from Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and from the National Association of Local Voluntary Societies for the Visually Impaired (NALSVI) and we will now have a nomination from Northern Ireland as well.

We are determined not just to have national bodies involved but are keen that each nation and region within the United Kingdom has representation in our decision making. Trustees will serve in rotation and there will be an on-going programme to attract nominations from organisations serving blind and visually impaired people from across the UK.

Fifty per cent of the members of the new Board are visually impaired and many of them will be sitting on the technical committee.We are confident therefore that sets we provide to our recipients or alternatively suggest people should buy for themselves will have been “road tested” thoroughly by someone with a visual impairment.

Peter McDonagh, Chairman said, “I am very much looking forward to working with this new board. The interest and commitment shown by all the nominees has been exemplary and the decision as to who to chose has not been easy but I believe we have a group of people committed to working in the best interest of the Fund. And thus, committed to serving in the best interests of all our recipients”