A CHARITY that supports visually impaired people and their families have received a funding boost.
Vision Support Barrow and District has received £3,587.00 from the Cumbria Community Foundation.
The money will be used to support future projects and activities run by the charity.
Vision Support Officer and Eye Care Liaison Officer Claire Huddleston said: "We were very excited to receive the funding as it will enable two different groups of visually impaired clients to take part in a range of activities.
"The clients were also very excited and happy as they will now get the chance to try new activities as well. It is always lovely to receive funding as it validates the work we are doing with locally visually impaired individuals."
The money donated will go towards future trips and activities the charity has planned.
Claire said: "Future trips we have planned include a residential trip for two nights to York and whilst we are there we will be undertaking a range of activities which will include a trip to Forbidden Corner, Jorvik, York’s Chocolate Story, High Wire Course and then in the evening we will be doing a Ghost Walk and a River Cruise.
"Then the other future trip we have planned is a full day in Manchester during which the group will be doing the Celebrate Jungle Challenge and a beginner’s session of Skiing at Chill Factore."
The funding that Vision Support receives enables them to organise trips for visually impaired clients to try new activities
Claire said: "The funding also helps build connections with local sporting groups and clubs which then learn how they can adapt their sport so include visually impaired individuals.
"Due to the activities we have undertaken in the past we have a number of clients who are now confident enough to carry on with their favourite activities and have joined a number of clubs in the area."
Claire said the team was 'extremely grateful' for the funding and it makes a 'huge difference to our clients'.
She added: "When people donate to Vision Support Barrow & District it makes a huge impact on local visually impaired people’s lives, it means we can continue with our service supporting individuals but also allows us to build more opportunities in the community and offer additional services such as the sports and activities project.
"These projects make a big difference to visually impaired individuals as they can try new things but they can also build peer support networks."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here