Gerrard backing for 'great cause'
Steven Gerrard today urged all Liverpool fans to support 'Seeing is Believing' after being given a small insight into the world of those who suffer either partial or full blindness.
The Liverpool skipper will lead his side out at Anfield tonight with the Reds wearing a new-look shirt, as the usual Standard Chartered logo is replaced by 'Seeing is Believing' to raise awareness of a cause which has already raised funds to help almost three million people recover their sight.
Speaking after competing in a series of football challenges at Melwood, during which he was partially and then fully blindfolded, the Anfield skipper said: "I know my life would be completely different if I didn't have my sight. We take it for granted that we have one hundred per cent vision, that we can see our family, do normal day to day things like walk and drive about.
"Seeing is Believing is such a great cause because we have to do what we can to help people who have partial sight or none at all."
There are currently 285 million blind or partially sighted people around the world, 228 million of them with conditions that could have been prevented or treated at a small cost.
"The numbers are massive and a real shock," added Gerrard, after attempting to perform keepy-ups and take penalty kicks while blindfolded. "Today has given me a small insight into what these people are going through day after day.
"I'm really proud to be involved in this campaign and to be able to play some part in helping raise awareness."
Anfield teammate Martin Skrtel shared his captain's desire for all fans to back the Seeing is Believing campaign after also taking part in the blindfolded challenges at Melwood.
"I can only imagine how different my life would be if I didn't have my sight and wasn't able to see my family, my girlfriend, my son," said the Reds' defender.
"This is a really important cause which can change people's lives."
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