by David Skentelbery
THE 1,000-strong Warrington, Widnes and district Blind Society has launched two fund-raising initiatives to try and offset cuts in grants from the local authority.
They are looking for people to join the "1,000 VIP Club" - the VIP stands for Visually Impaired People - and also for sponsors for the society's three mini-buses.
Chairman John Taylor told the society's annual meeting that grant aid from the borough council had been cut by five per cent this year and was to be cut by a further seven per cent next year.
This had been done without any consultation - and affected all Third Sector organisations.
He said: "We are struggling with rising costs like everyone else, so we need to find more funding."
The society recently moved from Museum Street - its home for many years - into the Fairfield and Howley Project Centre that has been created out of the old Fairfield Junior School.
A special brick wall is being created in the society's wing of the building and VIP Club members will get their name on a brick in return for a £5-a-month donation.
Mr Taylor: "Some society members will become members of the VIP Club, but anyone can join.
"I am also looking for sponsors for our mini-buses. They will get their names on the bus."
Anyone interested in supporting the club in either initiative should call 01925 632700.
They are looking for people to join the "1,000 VIP Club" - the VIP stands for Visually Impaired People - and also for sponsors for the society's three mini-buses.
Chairman John Taylor told the society's annual meeting that grant aid from the borough council had been cut by five per cent this year and was to be cut by a further seven per cent next year.
This had been done without any consultation - and affected all Third Sector organisations.
He said: "We are struggling with rising costs like everyone else, so we need to find more funding."
The society recently moved from Museum Street - its home for many years - into the Fairfield and Howley Project Centre that has been created out of the old Fairfield Junior School.
A special brick wall is being created in the society's wing of the building and VIP Club members will get their name on a brick in return for a £5-a-month donation.
Mr Taylor: "Some society members will become members of the VIP Club, but anyone can join.
"I am also looking for sponsors for our mini-buses. They will get their names on the bus."
Anyone interested in supporting the club in either initiative should call 01925 632700.
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1 Response to "Fund raising launch for the blind" 
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said this on 29 Oct 2011 9:19:00 AM BST
Can I thank everyone at the Fairfield and Howley Project who have made members feel at home and helped everyone settle in so quickly and also those who gave at the Wolve gane earlier in the year? Like all charities we are finding it hard with the cut backs so you generosity is very much appreciated by the members.
There is still a great deal of work to do with a number of modifications to the centre and the ‘VIP 1,000 Club’ is an excellent way of raising funds and I hope that people will support our Chiar John Taylor's initiative.
As a driver of one the buses I know that the vehicles won’t last much longer. They have given us great service but we need buses that are going to be reliable for year’s to come. We use them a couple of time a week to pick members up and bring them to the old primary school. Once there they catch up with their friends, get advice and assistance; have a nice meal followed by some entertainment. Often this is one of the few occasions that they get out of the house.
We also use them for day trips like Blackpool and Wales as well as taking them on short holidays – the buses are excellent workhorses as we can load up members luggage, walking frames and wheel chairs.
Hopefully with your support we can continue with such activities in these challenging times.
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