Spring Day Out shines light on the Visually Impaired Community in Shropshire

A large function room of guests enjoying the party at Sight Loss Shropshire's Spring Day Out

Over 200 visually impaired individuals and their friends gathered from across Shropshire, Telford, and Wrekin to attend our ‘Spring Day Out’, an annual event celebrating the strength and resilience of the visually impaired community. 

Organised by Sight Loss Shropshire, this social event showcases the range of services available for visually impaired people, and thanks to the generous support of various sponsors, dedicated volunteers, and outstanding entertainers, was a resounding success. 

A Big Thank You to our Event Sponsors 

The success of this event was made possible by the tremendous generosity of several organisations. The Shropshire Masonic Charitable Association, as the main sponsor, played a crucial role in bringing this event to fruition, and the event was supported by the Oswestry Lions, Gnosall & Newport Lions, and the Blakemore Foundation, all of whom deserve our heartfelt gratitude. 

Members of the Shropshire Masons attended the event to not only demonstrate their solidarity with the visually impaired community but also provided an opportunity for attendees to hear firsthand about their experiences with visual impairment.  

Supporting a Worthy Cause 

The event also served as a platform for fundraising, and thanks to the generosity of our guests, donations of over £250 will directly contribute to the essential services provided by Sight Loss Shropshire. This financial support will help improve the lives of visually impaired individuals and enable them to access necessary resources and assistance. 

The generosity of those who contributed raffle prizes is greatly appreciated and played a significant role in helping to make this event a great success.  

Enjoyable Entertainment  

Guests enjoying the party at Sight Loss Shropshire's Spring Day Out whilst singer Tony Wall entertains
Guests enjoying the party at Sight Loss Shropshire’s Spring Day Out whilst singer Tony Wall entertains

Thanks to the fabulous performances by talented musician Tony Wall, and Sal Tonge, a local storyteller, the entertainment added a special touch to the proceedings and left our partygoers truly relaxed.  

Distinguished Guests  

We were honoured to have the Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire, Anna Turner, and the Mayor of Shrewsbury, Becky Wall, come along and show their support. Mayor Becky Wall expressed her commitment to making Shrewsbury more accessible and inclusive, emphasising the need for continued efforts in creating a barrier-free environment for all. 

Photo of Market Drayton VIP Group Organiser Barbara Shingler, Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire Anna Turner, Provincial Grand Master of the Shropshire Masonic Association Roger Pemberton, Sight Loss Shropshire Chair of Trustees Diana Flint and Monica Pemberton
From left to right: Market Drayton VIP Group Organiser Barbara Shingler, Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire Anna Turner, Provincial Grand Master of the Shropshire Masonic Association Roger Pemberton, Sight Loss Shropshire Chair of Trustees Diana Flint and Monica Pemberton

Acknowledging Supportive Volunteers  

The invaluable contributions of volunteers never goes unnoticed, and we are particularly grateful to the Guide Dog volunteers, who lovingly cared for the dogs in attendance.  Additionally, the West Shropshire Talking Newspapers team documented the day’s events to ensure that visually impaired individuals could relive the experience and stay connected with the community. Click here to listen to their report.  

The Shrewsbury Town FC hospitality team once again provided a lovely venue and delicious food.  

A Celebration of Community and Achievement  

Above all, the Spring Day Out served as a celebration, highlighting the remarkable achievements of some visually impaired individuals, as well as bringing people together, and showcasing the range of services available to support people living with sight loss or visual impairment in leading fulfilling lives. 

Chair of Trustees Diana Flint (left), Charity Director Arwyn Jones and Sight Loss Shropshire Manager Swan Staar-Slogrove (right) at Sight Loss Shropshire's Spring Day Out
Chair of Trustees Diana Flint (left), Charity Director Arwyn Jones and Sight Loss Shropshire Manager Swan Staar-Slogrove (right)

We look forward to welcoming you to our next event; if you’d like to get involved and support us, please get in touch.