A COUPLE from Bromsgrove will run blindfolded for a children's charity which supported their daughter after she was left visually impaired from a cataract at birth.

Gemma and Matt Wilkes will take part in the Royal Society for Blind Children's (RSBC) fifth Blindfold Run on Sunday, November 4 in honour of their one-year-old daughter Alice, who was born with a cataract in her right eye.

Mum Gemma, aged 35, told the Advertiser: "To date Alice has needed two laser surgery treatments and two major surgeries to implant extra drainage tubes within her eye.

"Her daily routine includes nine eye drops as well as the continued use of medication, contact lenses and patching.

"At 20 months old this is obviously very stressful for both Alice and us as parents, especially as she is still too young to understand what is happening."

Alice attends nursery three times a week and has been supported by RSBC's family support service.

Gemma and Matt hope the Blindfold Run will help to further raise awareness of children growing up with sight loss, and have so far raised more than £1,000.

Tom Pey, chief executive of RSBC, said: "Our event aims to get people to think about the profound effect that blindness has on a young person’s life.

"The feedback from our runners over the last four years has been really positive and we thank everyone who has signed up for this year’s event.

"The money raised by our supporters is used to support and continue growing our services in England and Wales. For example, £203 is enough to give one blind child the support they need from an RSBC family engagement worker for a full year.”

The 5k and 10k events take place in London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. To sign up, visit blindfoldrun.org, or donate towards Gemma and Matt's fundraising drive at justgiving.com/fundraising/gemma-wilkes4.