The Vision Foundation is delighted to announce that Rt Hon Lord David Blunkett has agreed to join the charity as a Vice President.
The title of Vice President is offered to people who contribute at an extremely high level through raising the profile of our work, donating their time and expertise, and using their voice to promote the work of the Vision Foundation. Vice Presidents are not only people who we know share our vision, but also people who we hope will support us in a number of ways to take our message out into the world and really inspire others.
Lord Blunkett was a Member of Parliament for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough between 1987-2015 and served as Education and Employment Secretary, Home Secretary and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. He was awarded a peerage in the dissolution Honours List in 2015, taking the title of Lord Blunkett of Brightside and Hillsborough in the City of Sheffield, and now sits in the House of Lords.
Lord Blunkett, who has been blind since birth, has proactively sought for a more cohesive, coordinated approach to service provision for blind and partially sighted people across both public and voluntary sectors.
Lord Blunkett, Vision Foundation Vice President said:
“I am extremely pleased to be joining the Vision Foundation at such a critical time for visually impaired people. The coronavirus pandemic is an enormous challenge for everybody, but for blind and partially sighted people even more so. It is critical that we do not let the progress made in areas such as employment and independent living stagnate, or worse rescind. I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Vision Foundation in my role as Vice President. Their work in building capacity across London’s sight loss sector is critical as we move forward and ensure that blind and partially sighted people can thrive both now and in the future”.
Judith Brodie, the Vision Foundation’s interim Chief Executive said:
“We are honoured to call Lord Blunkett a Vision Foundation Vice President. His commitment and dedication to the sight loss sector will be an enormous asset to our organisation. Together, we can drive the changes needed to ensure a better future for London’s sight loss community – a future where blind and partially sighted people are equal citizens and our capital becomes a shining example of a sight loss aware city.”
Lord Blunkett will be joining fellow Vision Foundation Vice Presidents the Rt Hon Sir John Major KG CH, Cherie Blair CBE, QC Sir Rocco Forte and Sir Trevor McDonald. We are also very grateful to receive the royal patronage of HRH the Countess of Wessex.
