Lions promote sight awareness at club open day

Inside there were various eye health and sight awareness displays, as well as challenges, such as ‘name that sound’ and ‘I nose you know’.

There were also two sight awareness walks, which saw volunteers blindfolded, given a white cane and escorted along the road.

One of those taking part was Horncastle News reporter Dianne Tuckett and another was East Lindsey District Council chairman Stan Avison.

“It makes you feel weird, strange,” said Coun Avison of being blindfolded.

“You don’t realise what you are missing until it’s not there – how different it is.”

Coun Martin Foster, who lives in Coningsby, said of his experience: “My memory was aware of things to feel for with my stick until just after the newsagents where there were bollards I had forgotten!

“My feet didn’t feel like my feet, it was very uncomfortable.”

Inside the Den, sight impairment officer for Lincoln and Lindsey Blind Society Teresa Roberts was among those with information of visual impairments and praised the work being done by the Lions

“Events like this are great as it gives people the opportunity to experience what it’s like to have a visual impairment,” she said. “The walk gives the experience of a severe sight impairment, but there are many different forms.”

Many visitors throughout the day took part in the non-sight challenges and also viewed the new Lion Display Boards showing their many activities.

There was also a huge collection of unwanted spectacles waiting to be added to.

Many places are now collecting unwanted specs for the Lion so take yours along to Barracks, Richard Sivills, Co-op all in Tattershall and the Convenience Store, The Police Station, Penny’s Place and Peebles & Hilton the Opticians in Coningsby.

Other activities during the week were Holy Trinity C of E School and Barnes Wallis Academy participating in a blindfolded lunch with BWA also collecting spectacles.