Carmarthenshire couple save stamps to support sight loss charity

A Carmarthenshire couple has collected over half a million stamps in support of an RNIB fundraising appeal.

Rhian and Kevin Rowcliffe, both from Pencader, started collecting stamps for the charity nearly three years ago.

They decided to support RNIB Cymru after their son Mathew was registered blind aged 21. Mathew was diagnosed with Lebers Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, a condition that causes sudden loss of central vision.

Mathew, now 25, received legal advice and employment support from RNIB following his diagnosis. He has since raised over £9,000 for the charity through taking part in a skydive and running both the London Marathon and the Cardiff Half twice with his brother Huw as a guide.

Rhian and Kevin initially aimed to collect 10,000 stamps but lost count after reaching the half a million mark.

The couple first asked friends and family to donate stamps from their Christmas cards in 2016, but word soon spread as people from across Wales began sending their stamps to help. The Young Farmer’s Club, of which Mathew was a member, donated over 150,000 stamps to the cause. Mathew’s other siblings Tom, Shon and Hanna have also helped their parents to collect stamps.

Rhian said: “We were all devastated when Mathew lost his sight. We didn’t know where to turn as a family, but the RNIB helpline and team was a lifeline for all of us. We wanted to do something to give back and lots of people in Pencader wanted to help too.

“The support we have received from friends, family and the community has been amazing. It got to the point where I would arrive at work and find bags of stamps on my desk. Some people bring me five or six, some people bring thousands, but every stamp counts.

“Collecting stamps has been an easy and fun way to raise funds for a charity that has offered us so much help and support throughout Mathew’s journey and we are so grateful to everyone who has donated.”

The RNIB stamp appeal helps RNIB to make a real difference to the lives of blind and partially sighted people across the UK. Stamps are sold by weight and the charity raises £20 per kilogram.

RNIB Cymru’s Director Ansley Workman said: “We’re so grateful to the Rowcliffe family and everyone who has been involved in their stamp collecting mission, it is a huge achievement.

“The money they’ve raised with help blind and partially sighted people across Wales and beyond to live a life without barriers. If anyone is looking for a way to help fundraise for RNIB then collecting stamps is a great way to get involved and make a real difference.”

To find out more about fundraising for RNIB Cymru contact fundraising@rnib.org.uk.

To find out more about RNIB’s Stamp Appeal visit: https://www.rnib.org.uk/donations-and-fundraising/fundraising-your-community/stamps-appeal.