The precocious musical talents of a blind youngster from Fife are blossoming thanks to the continued support of a trust set up to help the visually impaired in the region.
Zimeng Chen from Leuchars is blind with only slight light perception. However, her piano skills have gone from strength to strength since she was first referred to the Skiffington Trust in 2015.
With the trust’s financial support, the 12-year-old has been able to continue to receive the right tuition to pursue her passion for the instrument despite restrictions in other aspects of her life.
Zimeng’s father, Mingzhou, said the Fife-based trust has had a huge impact on his daughter’s life.
He said: “We only receive around £600 or £700 per year but that money allows Zimeng to receive exactly the right tuition for her needs and to see her progress in that time has been wonderful.
“Playing the piano is a big part of Zimeng’s life and she practices every single day and has done since she was seven.
“Although it’s only an old second hand model, we now have a piano at home which we were given by a friend so Zimeng plays that whenever she can.”
The talented youngster is just one of many to have benefited from the Skiffington Trust’s financial support since it was set up in 2004.
Lady Margaret Skiffington, whose husband had been head of the John Brown shipyard in Clydebank, became blind in later life. Because of her personal experience of sight loss, she bequeathed a substantial part of her estate to the formation of the trust that now bears her name.
As well as offering individual financial donations the trust reimburses the expenses of volunteer drivers who make around 2,500 essential trips each year transporting blind or partially sighted people living in north east Fife to medical appointments and shopping trips.
A number of outdoor sensory projects, woodlands and public gardens, including St Andrews in Bloom, Cambo Estate and Silverburn Park in Leven, have also received support.
Ian Palfrey, Skiffington Trust chairman, said it aimed to help as many people of all ages as possible and worked in close coordination with other charities such as Seescape.
He said: “It’s always heartening to see the letters of thanks we receive from people of all ages throughout north east Fife. Zimeng’s progress confirms our belief that what we do can be life changing for real people.”
More details on the range of support offered by the Skiffington Trust can be found online at skiffington.org or by calling 01334 472255.
