Wirral Society of the Blind and Partially Sighted has set itself a new £140,000 target

Feb 11 2009 by Carrie Catterall, Bromborough and Bebington News

Wirral Society of the Blind and Partially Sighted has set itself a new £140,000 target

THE SERVICES offered by Wirral Society of the Blind and Partially Sighted have transformed many lives.

Geoff Pennock, 67, of Birkenhead, was diagnosed with macular degeneration and was registered blind 12 years ago.

He could only see outlines of shapes, which forced him to leave his job as a carer.

Without WSBPS he says he would have been lost.

The grandfather said: “I remember being told I was going blind and I thought that was it. But then I found out about the society at Ashville Lodge and began to get tremendous support and friendship.

“I soon began volunteering which gave me a good chance to still be useful and make a difference in the world.

“I told Lynne Sedgwick, development and fundraising officer at the lodge, that I thought there needed to be more support for people like me attending Arrowe Park Hospital.

“Since then we have got our own room, support and equipment at the hospital.

“I soon became a full-time employee for WSBPS and it is the most rewarding, important and enjoyable job I’ve ever done.

“I just want people to know that it’s not the end of the world just because you’re blind –it’s been a positive challenge in my life.”

Ashville Lodge, Birkenhead, provides ICT training, specialist equipment, arts and crafts and an audio library as well as advice, friendship, support and opportunities for people like Geoff.

The society has joined forces with West Kirby and Wirral Lions clubs to appeal to Wirral News readers to help them raise money to build an extension at their centre.

Lynne said: “We are the only organisation in Wirral offering this support and we want to make sure we have the best and most accessible facilities available.”

To help the lodge reach its £140,000 target to build their extension call 652 8877.