Dave Steele, known as The Blind Poet, was a surprise guest at the event held in Didsbury in the grounds of Francis House Children’s Hospice.
The hospice, which supports families from across Greater Manchester.
Mr Steele read from his new children’s book, The Unstoppable Duo, during a family fun day for children aged 13 and under.
Dave Steele reading the Unstoppable Duo to the audience (Image: Supplied)
The Unstoppable Duo is about a young boy, Austin, who is gradually losing his sight.
He said: “Francis House means a lot to us as a family and this book pays tribute to my nephew Josh, who sadly passed away from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy just after his 18th birthday.
“Josh used to come here for respite care for many years.
“To be invited here today and pay tribute to the work Francis House has done for our family and so many other families over the years is a real honour.”
The event was part of a two-day festival called Francis Fest, which transformed the hospice grounds into a vibrant music festival complete with a large tent, food stalls, live bands and entertainment.
The event was part of a two-day festival called Francis Fest (Image: Supplied)
Mr Steele was joined by his wife Amy and their 12-year-old son Austin, who inspired the book series.
The story introduces Josh, a new classmate who uses a wheelchair.
Mr Steele said: “My hope is that this book will not only provide much-needed representation for children with disabilities but also serve as a valuable tool for schools and families to teach inclusion and spark conversations around difference, empathy, and strength.”
He also read a poem for the occasion titled A Place Called Francis House.
Rachel Ellis, a member of the Francis House homecare team, said: “So often our families’ days are filled with hospital visits, treatments and worries.
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She added: “We felt it was important to provide a safe and accessible space where they could simply enjoy being a family, have fun and make magical memories.”
The Unstoppable Duo will be released on September 19 and will be available in large print, braille, audio and PenFriend-compatible formats.
Mr Steele worked as a singer before being diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) 11 years ago, a genetic eye disease with no treatment or cure, which left him “severely sight impaired.”
He turned to spoken word poetry to help articulate his feelings and experiences as both a therapeutic outlet and to inspire others.
More information can be found here: www.theblindpoet.net