WHEN Cliff Beck suddenly lost his sight in 1989, he managed to cope, with the help of the Derbyshire Association for the Blind.

But these days it is the other way around – now it is Cliff who is helping them.

Last year, the 63-year-old raised nearly £9,000 for the charity by collecting change and selling raffle tickets, taking the total amount he has raised over the years to £20,000.

Those who know him say his warm personality and "legendary" fund-raising skills are why he has managed to collect huge amounts.

Mr Beck is the charity's "most useful" fund-raiser and his valuable contribution has led him to being nominated for a Derby Telegraph Community Champion award.

Mr Beck, of Keble Close, Derby, said: "I didn't expect to be nominated because it's something I love doing.

"I love meeting people. I have a good time and a laugh.

"When people say 'I don't have any change', I'll say it's okay because we'll take notes as well."

Mr Beck was on holiday in Scarborough when he experienced the early stages of glaucoma – a disease which damages the optic nerve, leading to progressive and irreversible loss of vision.

He is completely blind in his left eye and can only see outlines with his right.

He went to Derbyshire Association for the Blind and they pointed him in the direction of services that could help him.

In return, he offered to help them with fund-raising.

Twenty years on, he is well-known by hundreds of shoppers who pass him as he rattles his tin outside the Disability Direct stall in the Eagle Centre and outside The Spot nightclub.

He and his six-year-old Labrador guide dog, Nick, also go into banks selling raffle tickets.

Robin Toal, fund-raising manager for the charity, who nominated Mr Beck, said: "Rain or shine, you can find Cliff out in the city almost every day of the week. He's a fantastic man and a pleasure to be around."

The Derby Telegraph has teamed up in the Community Champions awards with BBC Radio Derby, Derbyshire Building Society, Derby City Council and Derby County Football Club.

On Sunday, May 16, the 14 winners will be invited to a ceremony at Pride Park Stadium.

Nomination forms can be found at www.thisisderby shire.co.uk/champions or www.bbc.co.uk/derby. They are also in some copies of the Derby Telegraph or they can be collected from BBC Radio Derby in St Helen's Street, or Derbyshire Building Society.

They should be sent to Caroline Jones, Community Champions, Derby Telegraph, Northcliffe House, Meadow Road, Derby DE1 2BH by Friday, April 2.