THREE Newquay residents are set to help lead the future of Cornwall’s sight loss charity as they take up a trustee role with iSightCornwall.

The charity announced the appointment of four new trustees who are set to bring a wealth of insight and experience to the board.

iSightCornwall, which is due to celebrate its 170th anniversary next year, has welcomed; Rhys Morris, Beatrix Love, Jahred Love, and Mel Richardson to its Board of Trustees, bringing with them experience from the business, volunteering, charity, and technology sectors.

Rhys Morris is an active member of Newquay Towan Blystra Lions and also one of iSightCornwall’s most active volunteer drivers. A retired manufacturing manager, Rhys learnt about iSightCornwall when his late wife suddenly lost her sight and became a client.

His work with Lions International means he has a wealth of experience as well as upholding the Lions mission of protecting vision and preventing avoidable blindness.

Newquay resident Beatrix Love is an iSightCornwall client, she is registered severely sight impaired and so she brings lived experience of sight loss to the board.

She has a diverse background in business and home education and has first-hand experience of many of the charity’s services having joined many of the charity’s clubs, workshops, and taking advantage of iSightCornwall’s Walking Buddy scheme.

Jahred Love works as a software and electronics engineer and, as husband to Beatrix, brings his own lived experience with sight loss. Jahred leads the global call quality strategy for an international telecommunications company and is keen to help promote the charity’s work.

Mel Richardson is well known within the business community for her work as manager of Newham’s Business Improvement District and for her consultancy business specialising in Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), project management and funding.

Mel has worked with the public, private and voluntary sectors throughout her career and possesses significant expertise which will be invaluable to the board.

Mel has also been a member of iSightCornwall for many years, becoming an avid supporter after learning about the charity’s work through the Newham BID.

Each trustee has been co-opted onto the board and iSightCornwall members will have the opportunity to vote on their election at the charity’s next AGM.

The recruitment of the charity’s new trustees was driven by the fact that four of its current board will reach the end of their terms with iSightCornwall this year, with current chair, Ian McCormick and trustee Steve Holyer having already attended their final meetings.

iSightCornwall chief executive, Carole Theobald said: “I’m delighted to announce that we have welcomed four new trustees to our board following a rigorous selection process. All four come from a range of different backgrounds, and each demonstrated an eagerness to use their skills to help the charity reach its goals.

“I’d like to also personally thank both Ian and Steve for their support on the board and their contribution to the charity over the past seven years. They were both on the interview panel for our new trustees and are confident that they are leaving the charity in good hands!”