<div dir="ltr"><div>PRESS RELEASE<br></div><div><br></div><div>VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE TO BENEFIT FROM FREE SPECIALLY ADAPTED RADIOS<br></div><div><br></div><div>Visually impaired people in Birmingham and the North of England are being invited to see if they are eligible for a free specially adapted radio from a leading blind charity.</div><div><br></div><div>British Wireless for the Blind Fund (BWBF) provides the equipment on a free loan basis to those with sight loss across the UK who meet its criteria and has been doing so for 90 years.</div><div><br></div><div>Radio is a lifeline to those who are blind and partially sighted, providing companionship and helping them to keep in touch with what is going on in the world, as well as the local community.</div><div><br></div><div>BWBF is launching its ‘Reaching Out’ campaign in Birmingham and the North of England to increase awareness of their equipment and services.</div><div><br></div><div>Regional Development Manager Sophie Wheldon, said: “Our radios are designed so that a person with sight loss can use them easily and independently. All equipment is delivered to the home by a volunteer who sets it all up and provides support in using it.”</div><div><br></div><div>“We offer a range of equipment – digital radios, CD players, internet radio and even a tablet device with a suite of specially designed apps. Our radios are vital to someone who cannot see – they provide news, information and entertainment but also, more importantly, companionship and a friendly voice. It’s much more than just a radio.”</div><div><br></div><div>If you live in Birmingham or the North and you or someone you know is interested in a BWBF radio please contact Sophie Wheldon at <a href="mailto:sophie@blind.org.uk">sophie@blind.org.uk</a> or phone 01283 790 208 or 07540 724063.</div><div><br></div><div>To find out more about British Wireless for the Blind Fund, follow us on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/britishwireless">@BritishWireless</a>, like us on Facebook or go to <a href="http://www.blind.org.uk">www.blind.org.uk</a></div><div><br></div><div>ENDS</div><div><br></div><div>NOTES TO EDITORS</div><div><ul><li>British Wireless for the Blind Fund is a national charity with a regional focus which aims to improve the daily lives of visually impaired and blind people.<br></li><li>It provides a lifeline to the world to those who are unable to afford a specially adapted radio and who meet our criteria by supplying equipment on a free loan basis.<br></li><li>To qualify for a radio, recipients must have sight loss, and in receipt of a means-tested benefit.<br></li><li>BWBF needs to raise £650,000 a year to continue providing this vital service to those who need it most and to respond to requests for equipment. <br></li><li>If people don’t qualify for a BWBF radio on free loan, they can purchase one from our sister company, BWBF Direct, which donates all its profits back to the charity. To find out more, go to <a href="http://www.bwbfdirect.co.uk">www.bwbfdirect.co.uk</a> <br></li><li>Registered charity number 1078287 in England/Scottish charity number SC041582.<br></li><li>For more information about BWBF, please contact Regional Manager, Sophie Wheldon <a href="mailto:sophie@blind.org.uk">sophie@blind.org.uk</a> or call 07540 724063<br></li></ul></div><div><br></div><div>\\</div><div><br></div><div><div class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div>Community Media Association<br><a href="http://www.commedia.org.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.commedia.org.uk/</a><br><a href="http://twitter.com/community_media" target="_blank">http://twitter.com/community_media</a><br><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CommunityMediaAssociation" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/CommunityMediaAssociation</a><br><br>Canstream Internet Radio & Video<br><a href="http://www.canstream.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.canstream.co.uk/</a><br><a href="https://twitter.com/canstream" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/canstream</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
<div dir="ltr"><br></div></div>