COMMUNITIES across Dorset are being encouraged to lend their support towards the Dorset Blind Association’s Young Blind Club.

Due to lack of funds, the group have lost staff that helped run the club which members have come to rely on.

The Dorset Blind Association, which helps 1,000 blind or partially sighted people each month, is struggling financially following increased demand for services.

With no government funding, the organisation relies on voluntary donations from the community and had a £40,000 shortfall this year, meaning they had to say goodbye to some of the small team at the Young Blind Club.

The association say that ‘a small donation from a lot of people’ could keep the club going and ensure that young visually impaired people in Dorset don’t have to face blindness alone.

They have also launched a Twitter campaign called ‘What Would You Miss?’ encouraging the community to tell what they would miss if they lost their sight.

Jaya Da Costa, Dorset Blind’s fundraising manager, added: “This club has truly changed lives, giving confidence, skills and emotional support to working age people with sight loss.

“Members learn independence and skills through training and volunteering, gaining employability.

“This reduces the reliance on local health and social care services that cost public money.

“The members of our young blind club tell us they would really miss the club if it wasn’t there, so we are turning that around and asking the community what they would miss if they lost their sight.

“We hope people will take photos or videos representing what they would miss and share them with their entire network.

“This can be via social media, email, or word of mouth.

“Then people can donate using our fundraiser page to help us reach the £12,000 we need; we know our young blind club makes life better for our members.”

Those wanting to help can show their support by texting WWYM14 £5 to 70070.

For more information contact Jaya on 01202 712864 or email jaya@dorsetblind.org.uk