Blind Doctor Who super fan meets his hero, Tom Baker

Louis,19, from Bradford, has been blind since he was 18 months old. A few weeks ago, Louis launched a fundraising campaign on Crowd Funder in an attempt to raise £15,000 to make it possible for our charity, Living Paintings, to make a set of Touch to See books which will bring him and other blind and partially sighted people closer to the incredible world of Doctor Who.

Having blasted through his first fundraising target Louis is now looking to raise an incredible total £25,000 to support the charity that has helped him since he was two years old.

Louis says of his motivation to carry on with the campaign:

“Living Paintings has had such a hugely positive impact on my life, from the first time I received a book and found out what Thomas the Tank Engine looks like (until then I had no idea what a train with a face could possibly mean), to helping me learn to read and express myself. I wouldn’t be who I am today without this wonderful charity and I hope people continue to support me on this journey so I can help other children facing the struggles I overcame with their help.”

Louis and everyone here at Living Paintings have been overwhelmed by the support shown by the Doctor Who community and this week he met one of his favourite ever Doctors on Zoom, the wonderful Tom Baker:

A host of stars give their support

Louis’ campaign has captured the imaginations of so many people, including:

Simon Deverell, Co-Founder of Crowdfunder said of Louis and his campaign:

“What Louis has done through his Crowdfunder campaign is brilliant – helping other blind children and young people, while raising awareness as well. He is a testament to what you can achieve with the desire to help others and sharing what you are passionate about.”

And a host of stars have jumped aboard to express their support:

Sir Derek Jacobi said of the campaign:

“Having played The Master in the TV series, Doctor Who, I just love the idea of blind and partially sighted children and people being able to enjoy the spectacle of the show as sighted people do. I wish you the very best of luck.”

Sylvester McCoy: “The Whoniverse is all embracing and this enables our blind friends to immerse themselves more fully in it’s pleasures too. Great work Louis and Living Paintings.” (Twitter)

David Bradley in statement to the Radio Times said: “Good luck, and as The Doctor would say “go forward in all your beliefs, and prove to me that I am not mistaken in mine”. You’re a hero Louis, and I wish you all the best.”

Chis Chibnall (Doctor Who showrunner) said:

“Louis, this is a wonderful project. I think The Doctor would be cheering you on, all the way. All respect, admiration and support to you.”

And Louis has also received recognition on Twitter from renegade Doctor Jo Martin as well as Matt Lucas and David Walliams. His campaign featured on the Chris Moyles breakfast show on Radio X (Chris is another donor) and has appeared on various news distribution websites and social media including: Big Finish, WhoNews, The Metro, Radio Times, CultBox, the Doctor Who Appreciation Society, BBC Radio Leeds, BBC Radio Berkshire, BBC Look North and has even appeared on one of his favourite YouTube shows hosted by MrTARDIS.

Liz Davies, Publishing Manager at Living Paintings said of the project:

“We can’t wait to begin the process of creating the world’s only tactile and audio book series about Doctor Who for blind people. We are extremely excited. We will begin, as Louis has requested, by making tactile images of the TARDIS and a Dalek”.