Gemma Owen has been flooded with praise and support as she revealed her next move in honour of her brother. The Love Island star has shared that she has become an ambassador for a charity which funds research into the prevention and treatment of blindness and eye disease.
Gemma, who is the daughter of football legend Michael Owen, has taken up the position as a way to honour and support her brother, James, who was diagnosed with the rare genetic eye disease Stargardt Disease, when he was just eight years old.
Confirming her news, the 20-year-old took to Instagram with a snap of herself alongside James and revealed she has taken up a role as an ambassador for 'Fight for Sight' charity - as she has watched how sight loss has affected her brother and says she wants to "help raise funds and awareness" of James' condition and other eye conditions.
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Writing on social media, Gemma, who appeared on the ITV2 dating show last year, said: "When my brother James was around eight-years-old he was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called Stargardt Disease.
"This condition progressively deteriorates vision from the macula and currently, there is no cure or treatment. Having closely witnessed how sight loss has affected him personally, I am honoured to announce that I am now an ambassador for Fight For Sight.
"This UK charity is funding research into the prevention and treatment of blindness and eye disease and has a special place in all of my family's heart.
"I’m looking forward to working with them to help raise funds and awareness for research and developments in treatments for people with Stargardt Disease and other conditions causing blindness."
And Gemma was praised for using her new-found platform for a good cause. @l_ind_c said: "I love when a celebrity uses their platform to help the smaller, meaningful charities. Well done Gemma." @l_jones1996 wrote: "This is amazing. We need more people like you raising awareness for such a great cause !! Well done."
@itslaurawheeler shared: "Ah amazing , using your platform to highlight something so close to your heart." @calmer_boutique22 posted: "He's lucky to have you I'm sure he's grateful for Ur support such a lovely thing to do for Ur brother." @fayemooney3 added: "This is wonderful and I bet your Brother is very proud of you. Well done for raising awareness and supporting others too."
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