A Teifi couple have collected over half a million stamps in support of a Royal National Institute for Blind People fundraising appeal.

Rhian and Kevin Rowcliffe, from Pencader, started collecting stamps for the charity nearly three years ago.  

They decided to support RNIB Cymru after their son Mathew was registered blind at the age of 21.

Mathew was diagnosed with Lebers Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, a condition that causes sudden loss of central vision. 

Mathew, now 25, received legal advice and employment support from RNIB following his diagnosis.

He has since raised over £9,000 for the charity through taking part in a skydive and running both the London Marathon and the Cardiff Half Marathon twice with his brother Huw as a guide.  

Rhian and Kevin initially aimed to collect 10,000 stamps but lost count after reaching the half a million mark. 

The couple first asked friends and family to donate stamps from their Christmas cards in 2016, but word soon spread as people from across Wales began sending their stamps to help.

The Young Farmers’ Club, of which Mathew was a member, donated over 150,000 stamps to the cause. Mathew’s other siblings, Tom, Shon and Hanna have also helped their parents to collect stamps. 

“We were all devastated when Mathew lost his sight,” said Rhian. “We didn’t know where to turn as a family, but the RNIB helpline and team was a lifeline for all of us.

“We wanted to do something to give back and lots of people in Pencader wanted to help too.  

“The support we have received from friends, family and the community has been amazing.

“It got to the point where I would arrive at work and find bags of stamps on my desk.”