A charity that has helped the borough’s blind residents for almost a century is appealing for new members.
Wigan, Leigh and District Society for the Blind is struggling because the authorities can no longer automatically provide it with the names of registered blind people.
And as its existing members grow older, the society has found the number of people on its own register has halved in ten years.
Yet as secretary Anne Fairhurst says: “All we want to do is help blind people!
“We have funds raised over many years by dedicated volunteers that can directly benefit deserving cases. And we can offer plenty of friendship, support and social events.
“But we are simply not reaching the blind, especially the younger ones. Doctors are not always referring their patients to us.”
The society’s funds come from donations, street collections, supermarket collections and legacies as well as some council funding.
Anne adds: “Any help from us doesn’t affect your existing benefits and going onto our register doesn’t commit you to anything. You don’t have to go to meetings or fill in any forms. It’s just a phone call, but it could change your life.”
Find out more from Anne on 01942 242891, write to her at Room 8, 28 Upper Dicconson Street, Wigan or email wiganleighblind@hotmail.co.uk
