Sam Frears (photo by the BBC)
Blind actor Sam Frears, is speaking at Dorset Blind Association’s #tryitblind event at the Elstead Hotel in Bournemouth on 23 September.
Sam has worked with countless stars and is currently working on a project with Nick Hornby and Helena Bonham Carter.
Born in 1972 with a rare genetic disorder called Familial Dysautonomia, he had 50 per cent chance of making it to his fifth birthday. Now, despite his sight-loss he pursues a successful acting career including Macbeth No More (2010), My Friend Sam: Living for the Moment (2012) and Frankie (2013).
Sam’s father Stephen Frears is the multi-award winning and nominated director of Philomena (2013), The Queen(2006) and High Fidelity(2000). Stephen is Dorset Blind Association’s patron and has created his own #tryitblind video to support the campaign.
Sam Frears said: “I’m happy to do whatever I can to help and I am very excited to be a part of this fantastic campaign!”
The event is to promote the charity’s #tryitblind social media campaign to raise £15,000 to fund services supporting blind people into employment by asking people to upload a clip of themselves trying a task blindfolded. They simply upload the video onto social media with the hashtag #tryitblind, text MPLY22 £3 to 70070 and nominate their friends to do the same.
Jaya Da Costa, Fundraising Manager for Dorset Blind Association said: “We are delighted that Sam is showing support for #tryitblind. As a successful person with sight-loss he is a perfect ambassador showing that visually impaired people have much to offer in all sorts of jobs.”
So far the campaign has raised £4,150 and has support from Bournemouth Borough Council, Barclays UK, Bournemouth University, JP Morgan, Createful, ITSB, RNLI and more.
The event on Wednesday 23 September, 5.30-8pm at The Elstead Hotel Bournemouth BH1 3QP is an opportunity to network, try blindfolded activities, meet the companies supporting the campaign and hear about #tryitblind. It is free and open to the public, who are asked to call 01202 712864 or visit tryitblind.eventbrite.co.uk to register.
