Events
Our heartfelt thanks to all friends and supporters who organise fundraising events on our behalf. We really appreciate your incredible help. Please scroll down to see upcoming events and please let us know if we can help with your planning - we're always happy to get involved!
Photographs of some of our events can be seen on our 'Gallery' page.
Our upcoming events..
Festive Cake Sale - 6th December, 8:30am - 1pm
If you're visiting the hospital on Friday 6th December do pop along and meet the team and enjoy a festive cake or two! We will be selling baked goods in the front entrance of University Hospital Southampton (just opposite Costa, next to the pharmacy) from 8:30am until they sell out. Hope to see you there!
Bach Winchester Voices and Orchestra present 'Bach's Christmas Oratorio' - 19 January 2025, St Paul's Church, Winchester
We are pleased to be working with Jon Newman again for what promises to be another delightful Bach performance. Bach Winchester Voices and Orchestra, directed by the talented Andrew Hayman will to perform parts III-IV of J.S. Bach's Christmas Oratorio in the intimate setting of St Paul's Church, Winchester. Sebastian Hill will be singing as the 'Evangelist' and his incredible vocals will no doubt create a wonderfully moving experience. Professor Andrew Lotery will also say a few words at the event.
Entry is free, and donations will be welcome for Gift of Sight on the door. Please help us manage numbers by reserving a space at the following link. Further details will be sent to you a week before the performance. Parking is available in the station car park.
Date: Sunday 19th January 2025
Time: 4:00pm performance starts
Venue: St Paul's Church, St Paul's Hill, Winchester, SO22 5AB
Booking link: Reserve your space today!
SAVE THE DATE - Gift of Sight Lecture, evening of 14 May 2025
More details available soon.
Festive Christmas Cards now on sale!
We're delighted to have a selection of Christmas cards available to purchase at the University Store, cleverly designed by our talented supporters. These are available in packs of 5 and 10 cards with envelopes and can be delivered by post to your door. Visit the online store to make your purchase or contact us if you have any difficulties online. Thank you for your support and best wishes for the festive season!
Albinism Research - please support fundraising for this
A clinical trial was originally planned to start this year as part of the OLIVIA study, led by Dr Helena Lee. However, the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have requested data requiring a significant amount of additional work, before giving authorisation for the trial to proceed. Unfortunately, there are no funds available to carry out this work, which means that it is now necessary to apply for new funding to get the trial underway.
Some very kind parents have offered to fundraise to help Helena's team obtain the data that will be necessary to recommence the trial . We're hugely grateful for their generosity and will be delighted if you will generously support them. Here are the links to their Justgiving pages, which share their personal stories: Thank you.
Joe has now completed his incredible feat of 7 marathons in 7 days. He endured two marathons in Southampton, with Dr Helena Lee joining him on the last few miles, before heading to Leicester, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester for a marathon a day in each city. His final marathon took place in his hometown of Liverpool, where he was joined by his family to celebrate his mighty achievement. Read the news story here: Dad finishes seven marathons in seven days in aid of sight-saving research for young daughter | ITV News Granada
Abby Arrowsmith is also fundraising for Dr Helena's research with Gift of Sight (justgiving.com)
Vision Science Team are reaching new heights! Three Peaks Challenge, 7 September 2024
' 3 peaks, 2 eyes, 1 goal '
A team of 12 explorers from University of Southampton Vision Science team and friends took part in the 'Three Peaks Challenge' in aid of Gift of Sight.
Ellie, Catherine, Mark, Charlie, Anna, Angus, Isaac, Raquel, Sam, Jennie, Josh and Hayden climbed the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales - Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in just over 24 hours. Each mountain presented it's highs and lows - with surprising heat from Ben Nevis making climbing difficult, a brutal downhill trek on Scafell and being chased off the rocks by a fierce storm on Snowdon. Read the full experience here.
Please support the team at their Justgiving page: Vision Science Team is fundraising for Gift of Sight (justgiving.com) and make the endurance challenge worthwhile!
A huge thank you to Sapphire Eye Care for sponsoring some of the costs of the transport for the team (all other costs will be covered by the team members personally).
Southampton Archery Club named Gift of Sight - Chosen Charity for 2024
We are delighted to have been named as the 'Chosen Charity' for Southampton Archery Club for 2024. The members will be generously raising funds at various events all year round. See photos from the Charity Day, held on 20th July in our fundraising gallery. The professional photos taken by the Club on the day can also be found here: Southampton Archery Club
THANK YOU :To everyone who has helped us out by fundraising in so many ways. Please see our Fundraising Gallery for past events.
If you would like to become involved or simply want to find out more about the work of our vision research projects, please make contact info@giftofsight.org.uk
Alternatively we'd love to chat to you! Please telephone Ailsa on 02380 599073 or Jennie on 02380 5995924.