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Nystagmus Network (NN) News release

For immediate release, 22 February 2012

Shirt offer draws praise for premier league footballer

An ingenious way of raising money for charity is generating positive feedback for West Bromwich Albion player Steven Reid. Steven is offering the shirt he wore for the recent West Brom game against Wolves to raise funds for Nystagmus Network, a charity which supports people with the complex eye condition nystagmus.

To be in with a chance of owning Steven’s number 12 shirt simply leave a donation of at least £5 on his JustGiving page at http://Justgiving.com/Steven-Reid12/. One donor also left the kind comment “a good example of a footballer who gives back to the community”. The winner will be drawn on Sunday 26th February from those who have made a donation.

Previously Steven auctioned one of his Millwall shirts through Twitter, the highest bid being £500, which he gladly matched. You can follow the progress of the shirt draw via Steven’s Twitter account @stevenreid12. Steven has a personal interest in Nystagmus Network because his young son Harry, is affected by the condition and he is hoping to give children like him a brighter future.

Nystagmus Network encourages research into and raises awareness of nystagmus (which is characterised by involuntary movement of the eyes). Earlier this year the charity gave a grant of £8,000 to a research project at the University of Leicester. We also have a range of resources for schools and hospitals to help parents and their children understand what it is like to have nystagmus.

Richard Wilson, chairman, Nystagmus Network, said:
"We can't thank Steven enough for his support. We are a small charity and every penny counts and will be put to use for the 1 in 1,000 people with nystagmus."

For more information about nystagmus and the Nystagmus Network contact; John Sanders, Information and development manager, tel: 029 2045 4242 or 0845 634 2630, email: john.sanders@nystagmusnet.org web: http://wwwnystagmusnet.org

Ends

For further information contact:
Steve McKay, External communications officer
Tel: 01626 206726
Email: press.stevemckay@virginmedia.com
or
John Sanders, Information and development manager
Tel: 029 2045 4242 or 0845 634 2630
Email: john.sanders@nystagmusnet.org

Notes to Editors:
• The attached image shows the framed Steven Reid shirt.
• Suggested Tweet to support; @stevenreid12 offers WBA home shirt to raise money for #Nystagmus Network, leave £5 donation @ http://Justgiving.com/Steven-Reid12/ winner drawn Sun 26th
• Nystagmus Network was set up in 1984 to support people with nystagmus and encourage research into the condition. Nystagmus Network is a registered charity (number 803440). Sir James Galway is patron of NN.
• Teachers of visually impaired children report that more than half the children they work with have nystagmus.
• Nystagmus Network has over 600 members and was the first support group in the world for people with nystagmus.
• Telephone helpline: 029 2045 4242 or 0845 634 2630
• Website: www.nystagmusnet.org
• Twitter: @press_nystagmus and @nullpoint15
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nystagmus-Network/216838805015328