History

VICTA Children was founded in 1987 by a group of parents in the Milton Keynes area who were fed up and upset by the lack of provision for their blind and partially sighted children. VICTA’s early days were as a local support group, families met for coffee and for days out, it was a time to share, laugh and cry with each other about the highs and lows of living with a visually impaired child, so often as a parent you feel alone and the ‘system’ seems very daunting to tackle alone. Being able to talk to others in the same situation helps emotionally and often practically too.

It is also a chance for the children to get to know other visually impaired youngsters, and for siblings to share their thoughts with other siblings living with a blind brother or sister. John Brookes, a father, noticed the lack of provision all the children were experiencing in the local schools, he had fought the LEA for his daughter to be provided with a ‘statement of special educational needs’ and for it to be correctly written so that she received appropriate support. John decided to help other families to achieve the same result. Milton Keynes LEA were hit by this man who knew what was/should be available.

Very soon, all of the children were supported in school and John’s notoriety spread country wide. He supported many children across the country to ensure that they received the correct provision. John also found that some families just couldn’t afford to purchase the desperately needed equipment or pay for vacation holidays so that their children could learn living and social skills, he was offered the opportunity to purchase places in the London Marathon, to raise money to support blind and partially sighted children across the UK. The rest is history! Here we are many years later, supporting many many children by purchasing equipment, paying for vacation schemes, providing funding for other charities and organisations who support blind and partially sighted children. We also support research projects with funding to enable improvements in the future.

John Brookes has now retired and lives in Wales with his wife. His daughter Lara lives close by and they lead a very full and happy life. We are delighted that John has agreed to be a Patron for the charity and will endeavour to continue the good work that he began.