Sense Awards 2024: Fundraiser of the Year

Video with BSL and audio description

Elle Jones

Elle was born deaf and recently started losing her sight. Determined to still achieve big things, she’s just completed the London Marathon for Sense.

In late 2022 Elle received the news that she was also losing her sight. Elle’s peripheral vision and night-time vision are both now quite poor and she’s had her driving license medically revoked.

The news that she is losing her sight had a huge impact on Elle’s mental health. She felt isolated and avoided socialising and eating.

Her future seemed very uncertain, especially as she felt unsure if she could continue in her planned career in the NHS due to inaccessible technology.

Always sporty, she loves playing tchoukball and has competed at an international level, but she knew this would change too.

In April 2024, she successfully ran the London Marathon – her first ever – in aid of Sense who have given her support.

Elle raised nearly £3,000 for Sense, over £1,000 above the fundraising target.

Elle shares her running journey and experience with deafblindness on her TikTok, pieceofelle, which receive thousands of views.

Descriptive transcript of Elle's video

Elle and her mum are on a video call. Elle is a young woman with brown plaited hair. She calls her mum to tell her some news about the Sense Awards.

Mum: Oh, my goodness me.

Ella: I know!

There’s a white flash as we go back in time.

Mum: Hi, Ella.

Ella: Hello.

Mum: How are you? Oh, I like your hair.

Ella: Thank you.

Mum: You’ve done it in plaits

Ella: Yeah. I’ve got the Sense team here. I’m doing the filming. Do you remember I said when I got nominated for the award?

Mum: Oh yeah

Ella: Yeah, Yeah. So they’re here and I won!

Ella holds up an award that reads Sense Awards Fundraiser of the year 2024 winner Elle Jones.

Mum: Ella, that is fantastic. Well done sweetheart! That’s amazing.

Ella: Thank you. Yeah, we’re very happy.

Mum: I’m so proud of you.

Ella: Thank you.

Mum: Incredible, well done.

Elle: All right, love you lots. Bye!

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