Housebuilder's donation for sight loss charity

An Exeter charity that works with blind and partially sighted people is to invest in exciting audiobooks thanks to a leading UK housebuilder.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People has received a £1,000 donation from Persimmon Homes South West’s Community Champions scheme, which sees up to £2,000 given away each month.

Nationally the housebuilder has given away almost £500,000 already this year.

Persimmon’s donation will go towards the RNIB’s Talking Books campaign, which has helped create a lifeline to the outside world for blind people for over 80 years.

Laura Board, area fundraising manager for the Royal National Institute of Blind People, said: “We are hugely grateful to Persimmon Homes South West for choosing to support RNIB's Talking Book campaign.

“At the moment only 7% of books are made accessible to blind and partially sighted people but with the support of local people, we can continue to grow our Talking Books library and give the gift of reading to thousands of people living with sight loss both in Devon and throughout the UK.”

The charity has fundraised over £29,000 since April towards the campaign, with commitment from over 100 individuals, companies and groups.

Nina Hester, sales director for Persimmon Homes South West, said: “We are thrilled to be supporting RNIB in Exeter, who provide a vital service for blind and partially sighted people.

“The Talking Books campaign gives a wonderful opportunity for people with sight loss to escape into stories and this is something we really wanted to get behind.

“Persimmon Homes South West has had a fantastic response to its Community Champions scheme and it is always a tricky task to pick our winners each month.

“If applicants were unsuccessful last month, we urge them to visit the Persimmon Homes website and to try again and hopefully they will become our next Community Champion.”

Organisations can apply for funding by completing a simple online form at www.persimmonhomes.com/charity