Young Taunton pupil sets her sights on fundraising on bonfire night (From Somerset County Gazette)

Young Taunton pupil sets her sights on fundraising on bonfire night

11:00am Friday 26th October 2012 in Taunton

YOUNG Iris Baker is giving fireworks a miss this year – she’s ‘going blind’ on November 5 to raise money for Somerset Sight.

Iris, aged eight, of North Town Primary School, Taunton, is wearing special glasses all day to discover what it’s like to be unable to see properly.

A keen swimmer, she was inspired by blind contestants in the pool at the Paralympics.

She said: “When I saw them I thought ‘wow’ – they’re so fast and clever.

“I thought how much I like swimming and how hard it would be to do it if you couldn't see everything, and said to Mummy and Daddy that I’d like to know how hard it would be to be blind.”

Iris’ mum, district councillor Justine Baker, suggested a visit to Somerset Sight, and Iris decided she wanted to raise money to support the charity.

Iris said: “I don’t mind missing seeing the fireworks properly as I think this is how lots of children and adults see them every year, and I want to know what it’s like.”

To sponsor Iris, go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/irisbaker