Benefactor helps out (From Gazette Series)

Benefactor helps out

MEMBERS of a blind club in Dursley and Wotton-under-Edge were given a belated Christmas present this week when they were told their disbanded group would be reopening.

The Dursley and Wotton Blind Club officially folded in early December when Gloucestershire County Council Social Services axed critical funding.

The group was used to receiving £1,000 a year from social services to help fund transport for members to take them to and from monthly meetings.

The club had been in operation since the First World War when it was set up to help support returning servicemen who had lost their sight. The group acted as a lifeline for its 16 members, all of whom were over 80 years old. For some members, the club was their only means of contact with the outside world.

This week, however, Gloucestershire County Association for the Blind revealed that a local woman has come forward and kindly offered to help provide the funding for the group.

Celia Kelly, visiting advisor for association, said group members were very happy at the news.

She said: "They are absolutely delighted. One member said she had missed it.

"We managed to speak to everybody who came to the group before and they were all very positive and wanted to come again.

"The very fact they are elderly and can't see well means they can't get out. It's a real occasion for them to meet with their friends."

Mrs Kelly said the long-term plan for the group was to find someone to run the group independently from Gloucestershire County Association for the Blind.

She said: "In the long run we want to find a new co-ordinator but we didn't want to leave the group closed until we found someone. We've got the money so we've opened the group."

Despite the generous donation to keep the group going the anonymous donor is apparently keen for more local people to get involved.

Mrs Kelly said: "The person who has offered the sponsorship would like other people to help out.

"We are looking for financial donations, anyone interested in becoming the co-ordinator, people who would like to help with the refreshments or perhaps providing entertainment."

Gloucestershire County Association for the Blind hopes to have the group up and running by the first Friday in March.

For more information about the club or how to get involved contact Celia Kelly at Gloucestershire County Association for the Blind on 01242 221170.