I AM writing on behalf of RP Fighting Blindness (Dorset branch), a small but vital charity raising money for research and welfare support for those with retinitis pigmentosa.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited eye disease of the retina, which can lead to total blindness. Research into finding a cure is funded by public fundraising and is not funded by the government or by the NHS. Research into a cure is currently focusing on gene therapy and microchip implants to the retina. As your readers might have recently read or heard the latter is providing some promising results.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in Broadstone, Poole, Ferndown and Bournemouth who has kindly supported us over the last year. Our charity really does appreciate all the donations, legacies and any small change given at our street or supermarket collections. We would like to emphasise that all our charity administrators and collectors are unpaid volunteers.

Our charity will be fundraising again locally on 2011, even though times are tough, as we aim to continue funding the increasing success of the various research projects into a possible cure. We hope that you can assist us in some way.

If any readers would like to know more about RP, know someone who has RP who might need support, or would like to come to our next public meeting on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at which Professor Marshall will update us on the latest research please contact us on 01202 744344. Also if anyone can help us raise more funds, or can spare an hour to assist at one of our supermarkets collections we would be very pleased to hear from you.

TOBY HART, Chairman, RP Fighting Blindness (Dorset Branch)