See the Future launched to help fund research to prevent devastating sight loss.

A Honiton fund-raiser is hoping to improve the future for people across the country after setting up a charity to fund research into eye conditions that can lead to devastating sight loss.

Leanne Greengrass received confirmation last week that See the Future had been successful in its bid to become a charitable trust.

The 28-year-old was inspired to set up the charity by her mother Jacqueline who lost her eye after being diagnosed with a cancerous tumour.

“By this becoming a charity, it will help me really get the message out there about how important it is to go to the opticians and raise money for non-government funded eye care units,” says Leanne.

“These units are so badly in need of the specialist equipment that is needed to diagnose conditions and to pioneer new drug and surgical treatments to prevent blindness and to develop new treatments that help many millions of people who suffer from sight threatening diseases.”

She added: “I can see this charity becoming something big.

“I am very excited and passionate about this.

“After what has happened to my mum, something positive has come out of it.”

This latest success follows on from a fund-raising ball held last month at the Woodbury Hotel – which attracted overwhelming support from the public and local business that sponsored the event.

Even Sir Cliff Richard and Dame Judi Dench donated prizes for an auction at the end of the night.

Guests enjoyed a champagne reception, three course dinner and live music.

“We raised �2,660, which we are really happy with,” says Leanne. “The night went so well, I was so overwhelmed with the support on the night.

“It definitely exceeded my expectations – 100 people arrived on the night.”

The money raised will help fund further research at specialist eye care units in Exeter and Liverpool.

The charity ball was so successful that Leanne is already looking ahead to planning the next one.

She told the Midweek Herald: “We have had such great feedback and I’ve even received letters of ‘Thanks’ for a fantastic night so that is why we have booked the event again for next year.”

Leanne thanked all of the sponsors who helped make the event possible.