It is often overlooked that when you volunteer to help others, you can do a great deal for yourself at the same time.

After less than an hour in the company of Richard Christie, who helps at Richmond Advice and Information on Disability (AID), it was clear to me that it wasn't just those on the other end of his phone line who were benefiting.

"I love it," he says. "I enjoy coming to work three days a week and the support I have within Richmond AID is fantastic. I have made friends and if I have a problem people have time for me.

"It has given me a purpose in life. I wake up and smile because I am going to work. I am putting something back and I thoroughly enjoy it."

Richard's work at the centre, in Waldegrave Road, Teddington, is working on the advice line three days a week, assisting disabled people with their problems and offering advice.

And he knows exactly what he is talking about when he hears about problems, having lost his sight.

"I started losing my sight in 1997 because of glaucoma," he explains. "I lost the sight in my right eye completely and in my left I had 22 per cent sight and no peripheral and field vision. I had tunnel vision.

"They said I would be blind by 2000 but I lasted until 2003.

"Losing my sight was terrible. I spent 12 months grieving over the loss. I knew it would happen but you never expect nothing to be there, it was such a shock to the system, you think your life has come to an end, there is nothing out there for you.

"I did nothing for 12 months, I didn't speak to anybody, I couldn't handle it.

"A doctor told me there was a sighted counsellor for me to see, but he didn't know what to say to me. He said I had to get on with it, and you don't want to hear that."

See this weeks Richmond and Twickenham Times for the full story