A DAY at the seaside for Reading’s visually impaired community was made possible thanks to a grant-giving trust.
Last week, members of the Reading Association for the Blind enjoyed a trip to Bournemouth, soaking up the sun, paddling in the sea and building sandcastles for its annual outing.
The event is so popular it is oversubscribed.
The charity says that for some of its members this is their only excursion of the year.
Funding provided by the John Sykes Foundation meant that they could organise a coach to allow as many members as possible to take part.
It picked them up from Walford Hall in Carey Street, and the team from the foundation was on hand to wave them off.
The Association said they have been unable to find funding anywhere else, and turned to John Sykes to help.
They told the foundation that the seaside offers many sensory stimulants for people who have varying levels of sight loss, including paddling, walking on the sand, and taking in the different aromas.
John Sykes, founder and chair of trustees, said he was delighted to have been able to help.
“This grant allows service users, who may not have the opportunity to visit the coast otherwise, to create lasting memories. We believe that everyone deserves a chance to experience the beauty and serenity of the seaside, and this grant helps Reading Association for the Blind to make that happen,” he said.
