Co Antrim woman in her 80s raises funds for RNIB after her own sight loss diagnosis

Love Ballymena
51 minutes ago
2 min read

RNIB’s Kirsty Campbell stands with Jeannie in her front garden holding large cheque for £100. Jeannie wears a navy jacket with pink flowers, echoing the array of pink,purple, red and blue flowers that can be seen in the garden and hanging baskets behind.

RNIB’s Kirsty Campbell stands with Jeannie in her front garden as she presents a cheque for £100.

People visiting a front garden in Ballygally this week were doing more than browsing handmade crafts — they were supporting a Larne woman who turned her own experience of sight loss into an act of kindness for others.

Now in her 80s, Jeannie Hunter raised £100 for RNIB Northern Ireland by hosting an arts and crafts exhibition at her home in the picturesque coastal village, inviting visitors to take an item and leave a donation if they wished.

From personal challenge to helping others

Jeannie was diagnosed with dry macular degeneration just over a year ago and says her deteriorating eyesight inspired her to support the charity that helps blind and partially sighted people across Northern Ireland.

A former merchant seawoman, she has long enjoyed making things by hand, from crochet and knitting to woodworking, and decided to use those skills to benefit others.

Jeannie said:

“I’ve always loved to work with my hands – from crochet to knitting, to woodwork, and I thought I’d better do something kind before I leave this world.

“We did a similar fundraiser for the RNLI and thought we’d try again for RNIB as my sight has deteriorated quite a bit recently.

“People were free to take whatever they fancied and leave a donation. Every little helps doesn’t it.”

The informal fundraiser welcomed visitors to browse the handmade creations displayed in Jeannie’s front garden overlooking the Antrim Coast, with every donation going directly to RNIB Northern Ireland.

RNIB thanks community support

Some of Jeannie’s creations on a wooden chair out her front: knitted badger wearing purple jacket and orange waistcoat, soft stuffed pomeranian dog teddy, diamanté picture of two robins sitting on holly, knitted polar bear with blue scarf, doll with green and pink ruffle knitted dress

Some of Jeannie’s creations in her front garden.

RNIB Northern Ireland thanked Jeannie for her generosity and the local community for supporting the initiative.

The charity said it was grateful for “Jeannie’s thought, time and effort” as well as everyone who contributed to the fundraiser.

The organisation also highlighted that it continues to provide practical advice, emotional support and information for blind and partially sighted people and their families across Northern Ireland.

Anyone needing support or advice can contact the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk.

For Jeannie, the fundraiser shows that even after experiencing life-changing sight loss herself, it’s still possible to make a meaningful difference to others facing similar challenges — one handmade gift at a time.