Blenheim walk fights blindness (From Witney Gazette)

Blenheim walk fights blindness

8:00am Monday 26th March 2007 in Witney By Tim Hughes

WALKERS are being encouraged to take in the rolling parkland of Blenheim Palace, while raising money to help fight blindness.

The Rotary Club of Oxford is organising a four-mile sponsored walk around the estate, in Woodstock, to raise money for Sightsavers International.

Organisers of the walk, which takes place on April 1, are hoping to beat last year's total of £6,250, by raising £10,000.

Sightsavers International works in 33 developing countries across Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, to combat blindness and secure equal rights for people who are blind and visually impaired.

A Rotary Club spokesman said: "It costs just 75p to protect an African family from the blinding disease known as river blindness. It is estimated that one million people are blind or severely impaired through river blindness. Another 18m people are believed to be infected with the disease, and a further 125m are considered at risk.

"If the target of £10,000 is reached, that's potentially well over 2,000 African villages that could be spared the trauma of community members going blind in years to come."

Entry to the park and car parking is free for those who participate. Fundraisers can join the walk any time between 10am and 4pm, completing it as many times as they like.

Anyone wishing to take part in the walk should contact Daniel Holloway, on 01444 446741, or e-mail dholloway@sightsavers.org for a sponsorship form.