£10,000 target to aid blind people

Darlington Rotary Club aims to raise £10,000 to create the computer suite.

President of the club, Lakhindar Singh, recently retired as an ophthalmic surgeon from Darlington Memorial Hospital, so the club decided to raise money for the Royal National Institute for the Blind during his year in office.

Robert Devonport, of the club, said: "We believe there is a real need for a computer facility like this in Darlington.

"We don't know where it will be situated yet, but Darlington College of Technology and Darlington Borough Council are going to provide the training needed to set up the centre.

"Our job is to provide the computers that are needed for the blind and partially-sighted users."

The club is hoping to buy five computers, but needs at least three before the centre can be set up.

Blind and partially-sighted people in Darlington currently do not have easy access to specialist computers.

The new centre will make it simple for them to surf the Internet, as well as using the computers for work or study.

In addition to setting up the computer centre, the Rotary Club wants to donate money to the area's Talking Newspaper.

The newspaper is sent out to about 400 people, but is recorded on outmoded audio equipment.

The Rotary Club wants to provide the Talking Newspaper with back-up equipment which can eventually take over the role of recording news and information for the blind community.

Mr Devonport said: "During his working life, Mr Singh specialised in the treatment of eyes, and so it seemed natural for him to use his year as our president to further help the partially-sighted and blind."

To help raise money for the computer centre, the Carol Andrew Singers, from Darlington, are performing a fundraising concert, sponsored by Sherwoods, at the Darlington College of Technology, on Wednesday, December 12, at 7.30pm.

The group will be joined by the Brougham Primary School Choir, from Hartlepool.

Tickets costing £5 can be obtained by calling (01325) 467660