Sight Support Derbyshire wins £1,000 Movement for Good award

Sight Support Derbyshire is one of 500 winners in specialist insurer Ecclesiastical's Movement for Good awards, which is giving £1million to charities this summer. 

Sight Support Derbyshire will use this award to fund its work providing practical advice, information, services and emotional support to adults and children in Derby and Derbyshire who are blind or partially sighted. In common with many other charities, the current crisis has created a hole in funds due to the cancellation of many fundraising activities which would normally take place at this time of year, including the Ey Up Mi Duck Race which would have taken place in Derby on Saturday 13th June.

Although all face to face services are currently on hold due to social distancing guidelines, the charity is still providing practical advice and emotional support over the telephone, and sending out small aids and equipment where possible.

Losing the ability to read is distressing at any time but, during the current crisis when reading has brought comfort to so many, the impact of sight loss has been exacerbated for many visually impaired people. Sight Support Derbyshire has been able to continue supporting people by offering advice over the phone and sending out small equipment such as electronic magnifiers which can make a big difference to the every day life of someone who is losing their sight.

This award from Movement for Good will enable Sight Support Derbyshire to continue providing support to local visually impaired people both during the pandemic and into the future when it hopes to be able to re-open its face to face services.

Anyone experiencing difficulties related to their sight loss during this time should call 01332 292262 or email enquiries @ sightsupportderbyshire.org.uk. 

Members of the public were invited to nominate causes close to their hearts, with 500 gifts of £1,000 available for donation. 13,695 charities were nominated by an amazing 253,879 members of the public. 

CEO of Sight Support Derbyshire, Claire Winfield said: “We are absolutely delighted to be benefitting from this award which will make a huge difference to us at this difficult time. With this Movement for Good award we will be able to continue supporting local people who are blind or partially sighted both during and after this global crisis. Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to nominate us – we really are so grateful” 

Mark Hews, group chief executive at Ecclesiastical, said: “We would like to thank every single person who took the time to nominate a good cause as part of our Movement for Good awards. Ecclesiastical is a unique financial services group. We are owned by a charity which means all available profits can be given to the good causes that are so important to our customers. As a company whose purpose is to contribute to the greater good of society, charitable giving is at the heart of our business. We know that £1,000 can make a huge difference to the incredible work that charities do and we’re looking forward to seeing how this financial boost will change lives for the better.”