The Dorset Blind Association is celebrating yet another success. It has been awarded a grant of £347,070 from the BIG Lottery to fund their countywide sight equipment vehicle service and a new home support service in Bournemouth.

Jonathan Holyhead, Chief Executive of the Dorset Blind Association, said
“We are absolutely delighted to have been successful with our application to the Big Lottery. The services which this award funds will make a real, positive and lasting difference to the lives of people in Dorset who have sight loss.
With our help they can continue to live independent, healthy and socially inclusive lives and do many of those simple, everyday things that people without sight loss take for granted. On their behalf we would like to say a very BIG thank you”.

The charity worked closely on their Lottery bid with Lyn Pullen, Funding Advisor at Poole CVS and are very grateful for all the help and support given.

Dorset Blind Association, backed by the Daily Echo, launches Eye Unit Appeal to raise £35000 for a Help and Information Facility at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital’s Eye Unit.

Bournemouth Daily Echo 30th October 2008 Extract

“Being registered as blind is devastating, even if you’ve been experiencing sight loss for a while, it’s an emotional time when you’re told nothing more can be done.

As it marks the 90th Anniversary, the Poole based charity is launching a campaign to raise £35000 for their Eye Unit Appeal.”

Jonathan Holyhead, chief executive explained “Most eyesight problems are very much an age-related issue and sight problems do not come in isolation.
So pretty much everything we try and do now the whole emphasis for going forward is with community delivery and services direct to the people who need our help.”

For further information or to donate towards the Eye Unit Appeal please contact the DBA at 17 Bournemouth Road Lower Parkstone Poole BH14 0EF or to donate online go to justgiving.com/dorsetblind.

Our sight equipment vehicle was put to good use inside the Dolphin Shopping Centre last Friday and rather than transporting our blind and partially sighted members, or delivering equipment out in the community, it was filled with balloons. Read More....

Dorset Blind Association was recognised as one of the top three charities in the county, at this year’s Dorset Business Awards ceremony, held last night.

Celebrating its 90th year, this independent, local charity, provides community services, support, and advice to people who suffer from sight loss in Dorset. Relying entirely on a combination of voluntary donations, grants and transcription income, they have been looking for new and innovative ways to deliver these services out to the 6500 people registered blind or partially sighted, across the county.

Jonathan Holyhead, Chief Executive said “We are absolutely thrilled to have made it to the final of this award and finish in the top three, especially as so many charities entered for it. I’m so pleased that the value of our work is being recognised in this way.”

The Dorset Blind Association has also just launched its campaign to raise £35000 to provide a Help and Information Facility at the Royal Bournemouth Eye Hospital and any contributions to that would be most welcome.

For further information, please contact Jonathan Holyhead at the Dorset Blind Association,17 Bournemouth Road, Lower Parkstone, Poole, Dorset BH14 0EF. Telephone 01202 712860 Email Jonathan@dorsetblind.org.uk

Our celebratory Balloon Races saw six balloons fly to France winning a mini cruise for Mrs Walker from Weymouth.

Peggy Walker’s balloon was released on Weymouth Seafront and returned from St Michel en L’herm 498.64 miles away.

Other lucky winners, whose balloons were also returned from France, were Edith and Anna at the Ferndown Blind Club, Maggie Massey of Shepton Mallet, Ann Young of Basingstoke and Mr Richardson of Longham.