Talking Book in memory of father for gentleman Jack

Sixty-five-year-old Jack Anderson will be raising funds at The Diamond in Ballymoney on July 20 by hosting a fundraising event with a difference as 12 people hit the treadmill for eight consecutive hours.

“My father was partially sighted and my fondest childhood memories are listening to RNIB’s Talking Books with him,” recalled Jack.

“Sometimes, when everyone had gone to bed, I would lie in bed and listen to the sound of the Talking Books coming from the cassette player in the living room. He loved listening to his Talking Books, especially on a dark, winter evenings.

“My father passed away in 1973 and I always wanted to honour this memory by fundraising for RNIB. Talking Books are so important for anyone with sight loss.

“They are a lifeline and I know this from my father’s personal experience. RNIB’s Talking Books gave him great comfort.”

Jack lives with his wife, has two daughters, six grandchildren and regularly goes to his local gym, which is where he recruited some of his fellow fundraisers.

Along with 11 other people, including some with sight loss themselves, Jack will be walking or running on the treadmill from 9am to 5pm on July 20.

Jack added: “It costs £2,500 to create and produce a Talking Book for an adult and £1,500 for a children’s book. It’s my dream to be able to sponsor an RNIB Talking Book.”