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Paul's story

This Spring, Paul is sharing his own story about how we helped him turn his life around. And how your support could bring confidence in tech to others living with sight loss.

Find our appeal in other formats

To listen to an audio version of our legacy appeal or get a text only format, please scroll to the bottom of this page.

Paul's story, in his own words

Hi. My name’s Paul. I want to share how BWBF changed my life – and how you could unlock that magic for someone else.

Growing up with sight loss in the ’70s, no one talked about it. I just got on with it, feeling like a Lamborghini with a shattered windscreen – my brain worked, but I couldn’t see where I was going.

At 18, contact lenses changed how I saw – and how others saw me. I gained confidence, built a music career, even appeared on MTV. I later focused on providing for my daughters, even as my sight worsened and I quietly adapted to cope.

When the financial crash hit, my finances, home life and eyesight all fell away. My life became very quiet.

Paul Quigley, musician and performer, lives with sight loss and is a beneficiary of BWBF. His eye are closed as he listens to the sounds coming out of an Echo Show on the table in front of him and his own guitar playing.

Then I found BWBF

The first phone call meant more than I expected. They were kind, patient and reassuring. I received a free Echo Show – my companion, my soundboard, my audio encyclopaedia. It filled my home with sound again and helped me return to music – finding lyrics, rehearsing, building my repertoire. I feel inspired again.

BWBF lifted my loneliness and helped me feel like the best version of me. They’re not just about tech – they keep people connected, curious and alive.

Help someone else like me

How BWBF is changing

Last year BWBF commissioned independent researchers to give a deeper insight into the audio and tech needs of people living with sight loss. More than 400 people affected by sight loss took part. The researchers asked what really helps – and what’s missing. The message was clear: access to technology isn’t always enough. For many in our community, it takes time, patience, and personalised support to truly benefit.

69% of those surveyed agreed that more support would help them to more effectively use audio technology.

Let's make every connection count

Your support today will help BWBF take the first steps towards new services, offering more tech and more support than ever.

This Spring, we are aiming to raise £30,000 to help make this vision a reality.

Support BWBF today
Two women sit on a sofa. They are smiling as they look at an iPad together.

The funds could help BWBF to:

  • Recruit and train volunteers
  • Run in-person and online training sessions
  • Create training hubs where people can turn to for help
  • Develop accessible resources for our community
  • Provide our broadest range of tech ever

Your gift ensures that every interaction, every session, and every connection we offer is meaningful.

Paul Quigley, musician and performer. Paul lives with sight loss and is a beneficiary of BWBF. He is seated playing his guitar with a standalone microphone in front of him.
Paul Quigley, musician and performer. Paul lives with sight loss and is a beneficiary of BWBF. He is seated, smiling, as he engages with an Echo Show device on the table in front of him.

Spring Appeal 2026

Find out about Paul's journey with BWBF, and why he's asking for your support for our future.

Spring Appeal letter (PDF) Spring Appeal letter A3 (PDF) Spring Appeal brochure (PDF) Spring Appeal letter (Word) Spring Appeal brochure (Word) Download Audio File

Spring Appeal 2026 - Spring Appeal 2026 (Audio)

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