Help the blind to experience life without limits.

Help New Zealanders who are blind or have low vision experience life without limits.

The Blind Foundation, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, is putting out the call for volunteers to sign on to help with the nationwide Blind Week street collection on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October.

Elaine Waters, who has received Blind Foundation support since losing her sight suddenly eight years ago, says she is looking forward to collecting again this year and is encouraging others to join her in volunteering a few hours of their time to help with this year’s street collection.

“Last year was my first year collecting and it was a lot of fun! I know first-hand how important the Blind Foundation is to those of us living with blindness and I’d love for people to realise that those few hours of their time, once a year, actually means the world to someone who is living with blindness every day.

Thanks to the skills I’ve learnt with the Blind Foundation and with the support of my family, friends and now my new employers, I’ve reached a stage where I don’t feel like I have any barriers anymore.

I can achieve whatever I put my mind to, help is there if I need it but it’s just up to me to get out there and do it.”

Blind Foundation Chief Executive Sandra Budd says volunteers are crucial to the success of the charity’s fundraising efforts.

“Thanks to the support of our volunteers, the funds raised over this campaign can go to helping New Zealanders who are blind or have low vision lead full lives with as much independence as they need.

Our volunteers help us spread the word about blindness issues in their own communities and they help show us all how we can each play a part in making our slice of New Zealand a better, more inclusive place to live.”

The funds raised during the appeal will go towards equipping people who are blind or have low vision with the adaptive skills, technology and resources they need to help them participate and contribute to society and lead independent lives.

To volunteer as a coordinator or street collector visit www.blindweek.org.nz or phone 0800 120 254 for more information.

ends

© Scoop Media