CHARITY for the blind and partially-sighted in Saffron Walden, Saffron Sight, is expanding the services it offers. The first in a series of monthly coffee mornings has been organised for Tuesday January 31. Anyone involved with the charity, or anyone who

CHARITY for the blind and partially-sighted in Saffron Walden, Saffron Sight, is expanding the services it offers.

The first in a series of monthly coffee mornings has been organised for Tuesday January 31.

Anyone involved with the charity, or anyone who is interested in learning more about matters relating to visual impairment, is welcome to attend.

The coffee morning will take place at The Alms Houses, in Saffron Walden, from 10.30am until noon.

Saffron Sight intends to hold a variety of social events for blind and partially-sighted people over the coming months, including shopping trips, visits to the seaside and evenings at the theatre.

This will be made possible with the support of the Saffron Walden Rotary Club, which has pledged to assist the charity following very successful street collections in December.

Saffron Sight's director, Madeleine Cassidy, said: "We are very grateful to the members of the Rotary Club of Saffron Walden for their generous support.

"2006 is a very exciting time for Saffron Sight and we are pleased to offer visually-impaired people throughout Uttlesford a larger array of social activities.

"With the help of the Rotary Club, we are striving to redress the imbalance in the provision of appropriate social and sporting activities for those with impaired vision."

To help deal with the extra work-load, the charity will be recruiting a services co-ordinator in April.

The position will be funded by The National Lottery's Big Lottery Fund for the next three years.

Entry to the coffee morning is free and Saffron Sight is offering free transport to visually-impaired people who have poor transport links.

For more information, contact the Resource Centre manager, Paul Atkins, on 01799 523700.