A CHARITY that helps people with visual impairments is appealing for help to raise money for its work.

The County Durham Society for the Blind and Partially Sighted, based in North Road, Durham, needs to make up £7,000 lost when a grant was withdrawn.

It is looking for ways to raise the cash and urging businesses to display its collection boxes.

So far 50 boxes in shops and offices have brought in about £100 and the charity plans to send out 50 more.

It is also hoping to place collection boxes in people's homes so they can donate loose change.

The charity offers services including talking newspapers and volunteer escorts for eye clinic appointments.

Volunteer co-ordinator Sandra Hillyard said: "We are aiming to raise £7,000 a year from the collection boxes, which is the amount of the annual grant recently withdrawn by the Royal National Institute for the Blind.

"To enable us to reach our goal we need businesses to display our boxes.

"We would be grateful to hear from any businesses in the area who may like to adopt one of our boxes or anyone who would like to volunteer to distribute them.''

Anyone who is interested in having a collection box is asked to contact Ms Hillyard on 0191-386 8175 for more information.