Sunderland and County Durham Royal Society for the Blind is one of the oldest charities providing support, services, information and advice for visually impaired people, their families and carers. It enjoys a membership of over 3,000 people of all ages.

The grant from the Morrison’s Foundation of £5,340 will make a tremendous difference to the Society and enable us to provide many more healthy lifestyle activities designed to address physical health and mental health.

Richard Wood, Chief Executive for the Society says, “Losing one’s sight is often compared to a bereavement. Even those who appear to be coping, can still encounter difficult and challenging situations from time to time. Whether, newly diagnosed or living with an existing sight condition, it can prove to be life changing. It can impact upon communication, mobility, socialising, self-care and even decision making, an initial shock, an element of denial, anger and more often, despair and outbursts of emotion. This pathway is perfectly understandable, as life is about to change. The Society exists to help anyone who is visually impaired.