A SCHOOLBOY from Stevenage who is registered as blind has starred in a video for a campaign to raise awareness and money for talking books.

Louie Titre, aged five, was diagnosed as being blind when he just was five months old, and relies on his Daisy player to play his favourite stories.

He features in a video on the Royal National Institute of Blind People’s website, and is also featured on the Facebook campaign page to promote the charity, commemorating the 75th birthday of talking books.

“I only heard about the RNIB in the summer, after I was recommended it by the author Michael Rosen, who Louie loves,” said mum Karen Thomas.

“I can’t just go into a bookshop and order any story for him. Only one in 20 titles are available as talking books.

“Louie loves them, and listens to them every day. I can hear him laughing through the ceiling.”

Louie is the only child featured on the video, and was visited by crew at his house to film his piece after being contacted by the RNIB to ask if he wanted to be in it.

“We had a whole production team come to us. I thought it would just be one man with his hand held video camera,” said Karen.

“Louie was really excited and had the time of his life.”

Louie is a pupil at Peartree Spring Infant School, Stevenage, where staff and pupils are geared to raise money for the RNIB.

In the pipeline is a staff fun run in Santa hats, collection boxes after school plays, stalls at the Christmas fete and school discos.

“Louie is a lovely boy, very much part of the school,” said deputy head teacher Carol Hopkins.

“When I watched the video it opened my eyes. I did not realise how much it would impact on people not being able to sit down and read a book. It’s tear jerking.”

To watch the video or make a donation to the RNIB’s campaign, visit www.rnib.org.uk/donate/impact/howwehelp/inclusive/Pages/louie_story.aspx