When 24-year-old Matt moved to Reading at the beginning of 2024, he couldn’t have imagined how drastically his life would change just a few months later.
In April 2025, Matt lost almost all of his sight after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. He has no light perception in his right eye and can only see light and vague shapes in his left. He is now registered as severely sight impaired.
Understandably, the sudden loss of vision was overwhelming. “Those first few weeks were a blur of confusion,” Matt recalls. “There was so much information to process and so many adjustments to make, all while I couldn’t see.”
That was when Berkshire Vision stepped in. Referred by nurses at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Matt was introduced to Cara, one of Berkshire Vision’s dedicated Sight Loss Support Officers. Cara supported him through the maze of benefits, practical adjustments, and emotional challenges that come with sight loss.
“For me, Berkshire Vision’s support was life-changing,” Matt said. “When you lose your sight, the amount of information you have to take in is overwhelming. Berkshire Vision gave me the tools and the confidence to move forward.”
And move forward he has. Matt plans to begin teacher training in September 2026, with the help of Berkshire Vision’s Technology, Equipment, and Employability services. But alongside his professional ambitions, Matt is determined to push himself physically too.
After such a challenging year, he has set himself the goal of one day running a marathon. As a first step, this October he will be taking part in the Maidenhead Boundary Walk, a 13-mile route around the town, organised annually by the Maidenhead Rotary Clubs to support local charities.
Matt won’t be walking alone. He will be joined by staff, volunteers, and others living with sight loss, all representing Berkshire Vision and raising vital funds for the charity.
“This walk is my golden opportunity to give back,” said Matt. “Berkshire Vision has made such a difference in my life. Now I want to help make that difference for others.”
For Matt, the Boundary Walk is more than training for a future marathon, it’s a milestone in his journey, a celebration of how far he has come, and a way of ensuring others can access the same life-changing support he received.
If you would like to sponsor Matt and the Berkshire Vision team, visit: www.justgiving.com/campaign/bv-boundary-walk
