Laura and the Lions unite to help charity

Friday, October 28, 2011

Reproduced by courtsey the Isle of Thanet Gazette

THANET South MP Laura Sandys has donned a blindfold to find out what it is like to live without sight.

The exercise, which took at the Broadstairs Asda branch, was part of an event organised by the Thanet Lions Club and the Kent Association for the Blind to mark International Sight Day on October 14.

SHARING THE EXPERIENCE: Thanet Lions, Kent Association for the Blind and Asda teamed up with Mrs Sandys and senior civic figures for Sight Awareness Day

Store managers, Thanet politicians and passers-by were given the opportunity to put on blindfolds and glasses made to replicate varying degrees of blindness. They were then invited to navigate the store so they could get a hint of what everyday life is like for the partially sighted.

Among those taking part with Mrs Sandys were Broadstairs Mayor David Saunders, Deputy Margate Mayor Brian Sullivan and Thanet District Council Chairman Doug Clark.

Colin Lockitt, of the Thanet Lions Club, said: "This is a worldwide campaign that the Lions Club takes part in every year. The idea is to get a number of influential people to attend so we can show them the kind of things blind people go through.

"The event was very well received and a lot people were interested in trying the glasses. My opinion is that if one person realises what it is like and how something can be changed as a result then we have made a big impact."

Asda's Kay Smith said: "It gave us all an idea of what it would be like. It really made me realise the problems people have and how we need to be more aware of how we can help."

Though the main purpose of the day was to raise awareness, a collection was held for the Royal National Institute of Blind People, raising £45.

GUIDE: MP Laura Sandys is helped by Ross Sammels and Steve Walden from Thanet Lions.