Blindfolded challenge for Cllr Wallace!

It was a stroll in the park like no other for Cllr Stuart Wallace, Chair of Notts County Council who took a walk around the Trent Bridge Memorial Gardens fully blindfolded in aid for local charity, My Sight Notts.

Raising money for his chosen charity

Stuart put all his trust in wife Lynda who was his guide as he stepped into the unknown to raise money for his chosen charity for 2020. The blindfolded walk took place to mark National Eye Health Week (21-27 September). The aim was also to draw attention to the challenges blind and partially sighted people face as they do the simple things many of us take for granted like enjoying some fresh air in their local park.
Cllr Wallace said: “I chose to support My Sight Notts during my time as Chairman because I think the charity offers fantastic support to blind and partially sighted people.

Devastating to lose sight

“I think it must be truly devastating for a person to lose their sight. The support that My Sight Notts offers, such as assistive technology, goes directly to the people in Nottinghamshire who need it the most, so you know that your money is going to help someone in your own community.”

Rarely faced challenge on the scale we do today

Founded in 1843, My Sight Notts is the county’s oldest charity and has been supporting blind and partially sighted people for over 175 years. The charity welcomes the support of Cllr Wallace as it struggles to meet some of the most difficult challenges in its long history.
Michael Conroy, Chief Executive of My Sight Notts, said: “Over the last 177 years we’ve adapted our services to meet the changing needs of people with sight loss, but we’ve rarely faced challenges on the scale we’re facing today.

Isolation made worse by current pandemic

“Blind and partially sighted people have always been some of the most socially isolated people in our communities, as they often struggle to get out and about to enjoy many of the things we take for granted, like watching TV, reading or using technology like the internet to stay connected with friends and family.
“The pandemic has made this situation worse as visually impaired people struggle with social distancing because they can’t see the people around them and so are unable to avoid them. Many also struggle to see and use new visual technologies like video conferencing, internet shopping and apps designed to keep us safe.

Want to adapt but fundraising has been hit hard

“We want to adapt the support we offer to meet these new needs by training more telephone befrienders to help tackle isolation and a new team of tech befrienders who to help people get on line with confidence. We want to do all this at a time when our fundraising has been hard hit by charity shop closures and fundraising event cancellations.

Thank you to Cllr Wallace

“We’re very grateful to Cllr Wallace for his support. Having the Chairman of Notts County Council stepping out to raise funds and awareness of our cause is invaluable.”

Donate to the Chairman’s appeal!

To support him visit the JustGiving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ncc-chairman