Lucy Edwards named as RNIB celebrity ambassador

Lucy Edwards has been named as the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)’s newest celebrity ambassador.

Edwards, who lost her sight due to incontinentia pigmenti at the age of 17, said that being an RNIB ambassador would help in her ambition to make “a more inclusive world.”

Edwards works as a presenter, content creator and disability activist, and has previously been the face of Pantene. She also helped Mattel launch its first blind Barbie in 2024.

She has worked with RNIB for a number of years, including attending the charity’s 200 years of braille event in November 2024.

Edwards said: “We don’t have to live in a sighted world anymore that isn’t made for blind people. I’m so excited to be an RNIB ambassador because I want to show that you don’t just have to survive, you can thrive as a blind person. I can’t wait to make a difference together.”

Vivienne Francis, RNIB’s chief of strategy and public affairs, said that she is “delighted” to welcome Edwards as an RNIB ambassador.

“Lucy has supported RNIB’s work for many years and uses her voice to generate important conversations to encourage change,” Francis said.

She added: “RNIB is grateful for Lucy’s support, and we’re very excited to continue working together to champion the importance of accessibility and inclusion.”

It’s a double celebration for Edwards, who has also released her first children’s book, entitled Ella Jones vs the Sun Stealer.

Ella Jones vs the Sun Stealer is described as an “empowering story that that celebrates the strength and resilience of young people to highlight that disabilities are no barrier to greatness.”

The book is available in various accessible formats, including in audio from RNIB’s Talking Book Library and the charity’s Reading Services. It is also available in braille, via the RNIB helpline.

Edwards added: "When I was a little girl losing my eyesight, I didn’t see anyone that looked like me on TV or social media, so I was scared to live my most authentic life.

“Every day I wake up and think of all the little Lucys that are going blind every day and through my work, I keep them in my heart. Making a more inclusive world for them is what drives me forward and I know that RNIB has the same goals as me.”