On Saturday 15th October, East Surrey MP Sam Gyimah, Chairman of Tandridge District Council, Brian Perkins, County Councillor Sally Marks and Godstone District Councillor Nick Childs all entered into the spirit of World Sight Awareness Week by letting members of Caterham Oxted and Godstone Lions Club (COG's) lead them around Knights Garden Centre at Nags Hall. Lion volunteers were briefed on how to guide a visually impaired person by Diana Drysdale, a member of SAVI, Surrey Association for Visual impairment, before their guests arrived. Nick Childs braved the checkout area and successfully managed to purchase some biscuits, check his change and get safely back to the Lions base. Throughout the morning members of the public were invited to be blindfolded and guided round or to try on glasses that simulated various eyesight disorders. Children also joined in by having a try at some feely bags.
The purpose of the morning was not only to mark Lions World Sight Day but also draw attention to the work done by local Lions to help those who are visually impaired.
All agreed it had been a worthwhile and interesting time and that a lot had been learnt about the difficulties experienced by the visually impaired.
COG's would like to thank all those who came along and especially to Knights Garden Centre for allowing COG's the use of their premises.
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