A 28-YEAR-old who lost his sight last year is hosting a fundraiser to raise money for Vision Support.

Sam Roberts, of Rhyl, lost his sight in August after complications linked to previous health conditions including treatments he had for leukaemia, meningitis and a double lung transplant.

He is planning to take on Snowdon with a team people who are visually impaired on August 15 to raise vital funds for the charity. The group will also be joined by some people who have agreed to be blindfolded so they can experiencing what it’s like to walk without their sight.

Sam, who is part of indie rock band Chasing Shadows, said: “I hope this climb helps change the perception of visually impaired people, and raises plenty of money for a charity that helps people of all ages get their independence back after losing their sight.

“Last August, I was told I’d lost my sight, and that I might never see again. Although that was a scary prospect, what scared me more was that I was going to be swept aside and that I wouldn’t be able to make a difference in the world.

“Throughout the last 12 months, I’ve tried hard to change the perception of how people view those with disabilities. I’ve set myself loads of challenges over the last year, and had many experiences and gained new hobbies that would not normally be associated with someone who is blind, and this has hopefully begun to help change that perception. I’ve now just set my biggest test so far”.

Sam doesn’t have any vision at all apart from light perception. He can’t see shapes or anything put in front of his face aside from sometimes the colour.

The fundraiser was diagnosed with leukaemia when he was 10. He underwent a bone marrow transplant - thankfully his mum was a match - and had chemotherapy. After recovering from Leukaemia, on New Years Eve 2006, Sam collapsed in his bathroom. He went to hospital and and doctors informed his parents he had meningitis. This, combined with the lasting effects of the Leukaemia treatment, irreparably damaged his lungs and took his lung capacity down to 11 per cent.

On July 13 2007, Sam underwent a double lung transplant.

Sam's positive attitude to overcoming his disability caught the the eye of BBC Radio 4, where his story was covered by Peter White.

The inspiring blogger - who documents his story through Turn a Blind Eye on Facebook and Instagram - has set himself a number of challenges over the last 12 months which include taking up golf, kayaking, skiing and rock climbing.

Vision Support offer cane training, accessibility support and provide equipment to help people regain their independence.

Support Sam and the climbers at JustGiving at Donate at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tabeblindclimb or follow Sam's journey at www.facebook.com/turnablindeyepodcast.