Albury local, Barry Smerdon, 70 is participating in 2015 Lion’s Ride for Sight on April 9-12. He joins David Parkinson, a Tabletop farmer on a 369 kilometre tandem ride across Victoria.
“We will cover 100 kilometres per day for 3 days, starting at Licola where one of the Lion’s clubs sponsors is located. We will finish off at Moe after an easier ride of 69 kilometres,” he says excitedly.
Barry lost his sight as an adult due to Retinitis Pigmentosa. He is an active client of Vision Australia, representing local clients with blind and low vision in Wodonga area.
“The ride was established in 1925 after Helen Keller challenged Lions Clubs International at their International Convention to become Knights for the Blind. Lions rose to this challenge and made research into and treatment of vision loss a fundamental aspect of Lions service. The goal of our worldwide program is to eradicate or cure preventable blindness.”
Vision Australia estimates there are 357,000 people in Australia who are blind or have low vision. Of these 35,000 (approx. 10%) are blind and 322,000 (approx. 90%) have low vision (refractive error not included).
Vision Australia’s Regional Manager Riverina and North East Victoria, Helen Vey, says that she hopes that Barry’s participation in the ride will raise awareness of Vision Australia’s vital services.
“Many people don’t know that you don’t have to be blind to benefit from Vision Australia’s services. We help people make the most of their remaining sight and achieve the goals that they want to achieve,” said Ms Vey.
Vision Australia helps to support hundreds of people from the Albury region who are blind or have low vision. Drop in to the centre, 566 Olive St, Albury or call 02 6023 6611 to find out how.
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Now in its 21st year, the Ride for Sight raises essential funds for the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA).