Month: September 2017

‘Get in the car, close your eyes and put the pedal to the metal!’ Not normally advisable and slightly scary for any passengers. But that is exactly what 25 blind and partially sighted members from Dorset Blind Association and Somerset Sight did on Sunday 17th September.

 

The two sight loss charities teamed up in order to offer a once in a lifetime driving experience for their visually impaired members. Henstridge Airfield in north Dorset kindly offered their runway as a race track, with members hitting top speeds of 85mph! 2nd 2NONE Driving School supplied their driving instructors and duel-controlled cars to give the members the excitement of freedom and speed.

 

Ages ranged from 21 to 90 with Doug from Scotland, who happened to be visiting his son in Poole over the weekend, being the oldest participant. Doug has been blind since the age of eight and had never had the opportunity to drive before.

 

Doug said,‘Just let me know when you do this again and I’ll travel down from Stranraer to take part. It has been the thrill of my life!’

This fantastic activity has given the charities members the opportunity to do something that some of them could only ever have dreamed to have done.

 

Dorset Blind Association, which will be celebrating their centenary next year, and has been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2017 offers many clubs and varied activities for blind and visually impaired people across Dorset. If you would like to find out more information call 01202 712865 or email info@dorsetblind.org.uk

On Monday 11th September the red carpet was rolled out at The Regent Centre in Christchurch for the Dorset Premiere of the film Victoria and Abdul. This exclusive event was in aid of Dorset Blind Association and was kindly sponsored by Blue Sky Financial Planning. It welcomed a sell out audience of over 300 people and raised a staggering £8,336.00!

 

The film, starring Dame Judi Dench, is directed by the charitys patron and BAFTA award winner, Stephen Frears. Frears kindly supports the sight loss charity as his son and blind actor, Sam Frears, has benefited from the charitys services for many years attending their social clubs and activities. On release of his last film in 2016, Florence Foster Jenkins, he gave Dorset Blind Association the opportunity to also host their first Dorset Premiere in Bournemouth at The ABC Odeon.

Victoria and Abdul follows the unlikely friendship between Queen Victoria (Judi Dench) and her Indian servant Abdul Karim (Ali Fazal). As their friendship deepens, the queen begins to see a changing world through new eyes, joyfully reclaiming her humanity. The film also stars Eddie Izzard, Tim Pigott-Smith and Adeel Akhtar.

Helena Sinclair, Events fundraiser from Dorset Blind Association said, ‘We are incredibly overwhelmed by the support we received at our Dorset Film Premiere of Victoria and Abdul. The funds raised for Dorset Blind Association are just phenomenal and will have such a huge impact to our services in the local community. The event would not be possible without the support of our patron, Stephen Frears, our Sponsor Blue Sky Financial Planning, and the fantastic team at The Regent Centre. Thank you to everyone for making the evening so successful.’

 

If you missed out on this fantastic exclusive event, Dorset Blind Association are hosting their 3rd Masquerade Ball on Saturday 28th October at The Hilton Hotel. Tickets are still available to join the glitz and glamour, only £55 per person includes 3 course dinner, wine, live entertainment plus casino!

Contact Helena for more information, 01202 712864 or helena@dorsetblind.org.uk.

All images courtesy of Christian Lawson, http://christianlawson.zenfolio.com

Lord Julian Fellowes and Lady Emma Kitchener Fellowes officially opens first Dorset Blind Association charity shop of its kind in Penny’s Walk, Ferndown, marking a new dimension to both the work and the fundraising of Dorset Blind Association.

Lord and Lady Fellowes, patrons of Dorset Blind Association since 2015, officially opened Dorset Blind Association’s first charity shop in Ferndown on Tuesday afternoon. Julian, a Conservative member of the House of Lords is also famously known to be an English actor, novelist, film producer and screenwriter. He is the writer behind one of the UK’s most best loved period TV dramas, Downton Abbey. Emma Kitchener-Fellowes is the great great niece of the first Earl Kitchener and is also Lady-in-Waiting to HRH Princess Michael of Kent. Julian alongside his wife feel delighted to be able to support the Dorset Blind Association.

On the opening of the shop, they said “It is hard to imagine a gift more precious than sight, or a pain more severe than losing it.  So, it feels good to know that here is a practical way we can all help.  Everything given to, or bought from, this shop will bring real aid to the local blind or partially-sighted community and I would urge everyone to support it in any way they can.  Any of us could lose our sight, at any time, so let us pray that we would be treated with generosity and support when and if it happens.”

Occupying a prominent position on Penny’s Walk in the Ferndown Centre, Dorset Blind Association’s first shop in Ferndown is designed to not only raise much needed income to fund their services, but is itself a part of their service delivery. The shop includes a mini equipment and advice resource centre, designed to help to make their important service even more accessible to the public.

Jonathan, CEO of Dorset Blind Association said “The opening of our first charity shop is a really exciting development and should serve three vitally important purposes. It will help to raise a greater level of public awareness for our work; it will directly help in the delivery of that work as it helps us to reach out and help a greater number of people than before; and the income it generates will fund the ongoing delivery of the community support services we already provide in the Ferndown and east Dorset area. I am especially grateful to our patrons Lord and Lady Fellowes for their support and helping us to give the shop the best possible launch.”

The shop is also an opportunity for visually impaired people to volunteer, to gain useful skills and experience. Large and spacious, the shop allows easy access to all members of the community and the shop staff and volunteers ensure a warm and friendly welcome for everyone.

Volunteers are the lifeblood for the charity, and many opportunities to volunteer in the Ferndown area have arisen. The shop is particularly looking for volunteers who can help on Monday, Thursdays and Friday afternoons, especially those with till experience. The local Ferndown Social Club are also looking for volunteer drivers. Call the shop on 01202 920385 if you can help.

The official shop opening included a tour of the new shop, fundraising activities and a chance for the community to speak more with the staff and volunteers of the charity about the vital work they do in the community and meet Julian and Emma Fellowes.

For more information please contact Jonathan Holyhead on 01202 712861 or email jonathan@dorsetblind.org.uk