Wales and British Lions rugby legend Gareth Edwards CBE has significantly expanded his commitment to people with sight problems in Wales, by accepting the new post of Honorary President of RNIB Cymru.

Gareth Edwards has held the position of President of Cardiff Institute for the Blind since 1998 and will take up the additional new all-Wales post following the coming together of CIB and RNIB Cymru as associate charities at a launch event on 10th July 2009.

Accepting his Hon. Presidency of RNIB Cymru, Gareth Edwards said: “It is alarming to know that every day another five people in Wales will begin to lose their sight and with over 115,000 with sight problems, the job of RNIB Cymru in address their needs and representing their interests is ever more crucial.  I have found immense satisfaction in doing what I can in my role at CIB over the years. I look forward to tackling an even larger additional job as these two great organisations join forces to develop and expand services for people with sight problems in Wales.”

Sarah Rochira, Director of RNIB Cymru, said, “We are delighted and honoured that Gareth Edwards,  one of the Worlds most recognised sporting legends, has agreed to become  honorary President of the new RNIB Cymru CIB partnership.  His commitment and support  promoting the interests of blind and partially sighted people in Cardiff and the Vale, as president of CIB, has been truly exceptional over many years.  But, there is so much that still needs to be done to enable  people with sight loss  to live independent  and full lives, and Gareth's ongoing commitment and support to us will help us enormously as we  tackle the problems faced by so may people in Wales with sight problems.”

Under the joint working structure both RNIB Cymru and Cardiff Institute for the Blind retain their separate identities whilst working together in a combined operating force, leading to the planned establishment of a new flagship centre serving the needs of 60,000 people in South Wales, the aim is to provide services currently lacking in many communities.  These include emotional support and befriending, computer training, welfare rights advice and access to products and adapted technology.

Richard Evans, Director of CIB said: “We work closely with Gareth and he is always been generous with his time in supporting our fund raising events and activities.  His presence always attracts huge interest.  Gareth’s role will become even more important with increasing numbers of people experiencing sight loss and our work in delivering direct services to them commensurately expands.”