FOR more than three years an Ipswich man has bravely coped with being partially sighted – and today he and his wife can help fellow sufferers.They raised £560 for the Royal National Institute of the Blind by asking people not to bring presents to their golden wedding buffet – but instead to donate money to the RNIB.

FOR more than three years an Ipswich man has bravely coped with being partially sighted – and today he and his wife can help fellow sufferers.

They raised £560 for the Royal National Institute of the Blind by asking people not to bring presents to their golden wedding buffet – but instead to donate money to the RNIB.

Norman Mills, 74, has macular degeneration, which means he has no central field of vision.

Maggie Mills, 71, said: "He has had great satisfaction from the RNIB. They have helped him, so we wanted to give something back."

Mr Mills' condition started around three-and-a-half years ago.

Mrs Mills said: "It is an age-related thing. At first he couldn't see things as clearly and then he lost his central vision."

Mr Mills has had to give up playing golf and bowls – which he loved – and also driving.

But, Mrs Mills says, he has coped extremely well.

She said: "He goes out for walks, as long as he knows where the crossings are. He is a very proud man and won't use a stick.

"I read to him every night – and I have been doing that for three years. I also write all his correspondence. He has accepted his condition very well and never moans."

The couple met through their love of sport when she was around 17 and he around 20.

Mrs Mills (nee Munro) said: "My husband was a member of the Achilles sports club and used to play football, hockey and cricket. I was one of the girls who used to go with the boys on the coach and played a lot of sport myself. I think it was love at first sight!"

But as Mr Mills worked for a bank, the couple had to wait until he was 24 before they could marry.

They were eventually married on July 3 1954 at St Bartholomew's Church, Newton Road, Ipswich – just four months after Mr Mills turned 24.

They have two children – Jenny, 45, and Steven, 42 – and three grandchildren. They celebrated their anniversary with a buffet for around 60 people.

Mrs Mills added: "I think the secret to our long marriage is tolerance - and luckily the old chemistry is still there."

What do you think about their achievement? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

Do you have any stories relating to the north west Ipswich area? Contact Meyrem Hussein on 01473 324792 or meyrem.hussein@eveningstar.co.uk