The task of running a local charity brings a huge number of challenges, but it also brings moments of joy and pleasure. Every so often, we’re caught off guard by an unexpected moment of magic which only goes to remind us that the work of Dorset Blind Association is valued by people in the community who don’t benefit directly from our services, but who nevertheless recognise the importance and value of the service we provide in the community, and the lives we change for the better.
This week we were overwhelmed to receive a gift of £20,000 from the Alan Miller Charitable Trust, by way of his friends Gerry and Pauline. By all accounts, Alan was a man who saw the value in supporting groups and initiatives which make a real difference to the lives of people in Dorset, and through his friendship with one of our members, he recognised the value of the work this charity does throughout Dorset.
Indeed, Alan’s influence isn’t limited to DBA, and his legacy is already making a huge difference in the wider community, funding, amongst others: a wheelchair-friendly nature trail on Brownsea Island; eye scanners, microscopes and incubators; and an end-of-life garden at Bournemouth Hospital.
Thank you, Alan. And thank you, Gerry and Pauline. This gift will make it possible for us to continue offering our services throughout what is a vast and sprawling county, and ensure we can offer our members the same quality of help and support they count on us to provide.
Category: News
Crazy Golf Antics in Bournemouth
A great day out/in yesterday with a few thrills and spills (and the odd ‘hole in one’) for some of our members with some crazy golf antics in Bournemouth. Thanks to Moira for organising, everyone who turned up to help and the lovely staff at Mr Mulligans, Bournemouth for accommodating us.
DBA are Haskins Ferndown’s Charity of The Year
We’re absolutely delighted to announce that Dorset Blind Association have been chosen to be Haskins Garden Centre, Ferndown‘s Charity of The Year for 2020. The Haskins team are well-known for REALLY getting behind their nominated charities and we’re only too happy to support them in any way shape, or form as they go about their fundraising endeavours.
The Tandem Sees The Light of Day
After a little bit of fixing here, a little bit of planning there, and a bit of waiting for a day where constant rain had been kicked into touch, Steve and support rider Mark finally managed to take the tandem out for a spin. Here they are down at Branksome Chine with Moira, our Community Support Worker for Poole and Bournemouth, who was instrumental in getting the lads together for their tandem bonanza. She even managed not to accidentally run them over on her drive back to the office, too – so all good there! 👍
The tandem was kindly donated by one of our members, Graham, who wanted to see it put to good use with other members of the DBA community, so we’re delighted to get it out on the road (and on the beach).
2020 Motor Show at Lulworth Castle
It’s back – AND BIGGER THAN EVER!
Dorset Blind Association’s prestigious Motor Show returns to Lulworth Castle for its 6th year on Sunday 3rd May and it’s set to be bigger than ever before!
Welcoming over 3,500 attendees in 2019, this family day out promises to be a fantastic day for all ages; with a 20 mile motor tour around the beautiful Dorset countryside, Castle Showground with vehicle display of over 200 cars, local stall holders, kids area plus live entertainment.
The Castle Showground will be open to the public for FREE from 11:00am until 4:00pm! Come along and view the fantastic motors that will be on display in the Castle Showground, potter around the stalls selling local produce and goods, enjoy a variety of delicious food stalls, catering for vegetarians and vegans, and enjoy entertainment by a local musicians and big bands! There is also a kids area with bouncy castle, face painting and activities!
This event is in aid of Dorset Blind Association and all funds raised supports those living with slight loss in your local area to live a full and happy life.
Dorset Tour and Showground (information for vehicle owners):
ADVANCED BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL AS THERE ARE LIMITED PLACES
– Entry is £10.00pp (Incl. tour entry and route sheet, bacon bap and hot drink, Showground entry, entry to the Castle, PLUS 1 FREE raffle ticket).
– Tour registration is open from 9:00am in the Lulworth Castle car park, for a 10:30am set off. The tour will then cover approx. 20 miles around the Dorset countryside – arriving back at the Lulworth Estate at approximately 11:00 / 11:30am.
– Raffle: drawn at 3:00pm on Sunday 3rd May. Our fantastic prizes will be announced very soon!
For more information, please email events@dorsetblind.org.uk or call on 01202 712865
Unwanted Christmas Gifts?
Now, whilst Santa is generally VERY GOOD at delivering presents that suit us down to a tee, sometimes the old boy can leave us with a large, ornate wooden seahorse that might be better off with someone else…
If this is the case for you, you could certainly do worse than to donate it to one of our FOUR magnificent charity shops where it will not only go to someone who has been looking for it for ages, but the money they spend on it will go towards supporting our services about the county – WIN-WIN!
Last Shift at the Coalface
It was Ferndown club’s annual Christmas bash on Tuesday, and the final club meeting for three of our magnificent long-serving volunteers: Colin, Monica and Michael. Between the three of them they have clocked up an impressive 50 YEARS at the club – a big THANK YOU to you from all of us at Dorset Blind Association HQ.
And thanks to Andy for the fabulous photos 👌
Something To Celebrate
Well, this is particularly lovely. A poem written by Joyce, who is one of our Poole Social Club members. How magnificent to be appreciated by the people you support 😃
Also, instead of receiving presents for her recent birthday, Joyce asked that donations be made towards DBA and organised a whip-round at her birthday party to this end, raising £150 in the process!
Joyce, you’re a LEGEND!
DIVOTS Golf Society Charity of The Year Presentation
Our thanks to the fabulous DIVOTS Golf Society of Came Down Golf Club, who recently presented us with a cheque for £575 at their AGM after raising money for us throughout the year. What’s more, they kindly invited Jim, our fantastic Sight Equipment & Resource Co-ordinator, to indulge in a game at before the cheque presentation. Jim has reliably informed us that he staunchly kept up the good name of DBA within the golfing community – well done, Jim 😃💪
The DIVOTS secretary, David Keys, and this year’s captain, Patrick Dignam, selected Dorset Blind Association and the money was donated by the members of the group, who meet about 6 times per year. Money is donated by each member of the Society who attends the events through the Captains Charity collection.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – support like this from sporting, social and community groups over the county is SO IMPORTANT to funding what we do here at DBA. We literally couldn’t do what we do without the generosity of our supporters.
So, a big THANK YOU to the DIVOTS Golf Society; a big THANK YOU to all the other groups who have supported us before; and a big THANK YOU to all of you who might support us in the future – you’re all superstars.
The Big Give Christmas Challenge 2019
Well then, ladies and gents: it’s that time of year again…
THE BIG GIVE CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE 2019 is here! Well, almost.
We’ve got past the pledging stage and so are halfway there. All that’s left now is a week-long window for donations to be made, and if we reach our £5,000 target – this will be doubled by our online champion and summer pledges. In a nutshell: whatever monies you donate will be doubled if we hit our target*.
This is a VERY important part of the fundraising year for Dorset Blind Association as it goes towards keeping our social clubs afloat throughout the year, so please, if you’re thinking of donating to us sometime this year, make it NEXT WEEK.
Come midday Tuesday 3rd December, a shiny red DONATE icon will appear on the screen via the link below and you’ll be able to donate, but only for seven days until midday Tuesday 10th December. After that, the opportunity will be gone until next year.
So, in a nutshell: please consider donating to us during THE BIG GIVE CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE, starting on #GivingTuesday
* please know that YOU don’t pay twice. There is an existing pot of money which we can claim if we hit our target.