Intouch_Spring_web

in touch Spring 2017
Welcome
from our Chief Executive
T
Dear Supporter
Welcome to the Spring edition of In Touch 2017.
February 2017 has been a momentous month in the history of Deafblind UK as we reached
the proud milestone of growing our membership to three thousand. This is clearly due to our
reputation for the work that we do and the difference we make to those who are deafblind
and this fills me with pride as I see first hand, the impact and true personal value of our work.
In fact, I like to think this issue of In Touch is all about pride. I am so proud of the work of
Deafblind UK and the difference we make. I am proud of our wonderful dedicated volunteers
and our amazing staff. And as you will see in a moment, I am humbled and proud of those
who support us through kind generous donations, those who take on extreme sponsored
challenges and of course, our amazing Virgin London Marathon runners.
It has been a privilege to hear about their personal reasons for embarking on such a
daunting challenge and to understand what has led them to take on the Virgin London
Marathon to raise sponsorship for Deafblind UK. Their training regimes, how they get up
early so they can go for runs before work and how they train every weekend, is testimony
to their belief in our cause and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for what
they are doing for Deafblind UK. I am sure you will want to join me in wishing them well
for a safe, successful marathon run on 23rd April.
If you can’t get to the event and are watching the marathon on your TV at home, still look
out for our six intrepid runners and at the risk of embarrassing yourself in front of anyone
else, give a little shout of encouragement. We all need a little of that sometimes.
So please keep that feeling of pride – whether you are watching on TV, in the cheering
crowd or reading about our wonderful supporters, please feel proud, because here at
Deafblind UK we want to share this moment with you.
We hope to bring you some amazing photos after the event and will share them with you
in the next issue but just for now, enjoy the runner’s stories on pages 4 and 5 along with our
other inspirational news and updates.
With my sincere thanks for your continued support
Liz Bates
Chief Executive
Letters in the deafblind Manual Alphabet
H A N K Y O U
As many of you know, earlier this year
we launched an emergency appeal due
to the bad weather which, combined
with the long dark evenings, had such
an impact on many of our members
who couldn’t get out and about safely.
We know from experience that many
of our members are at a much higher
risk of loneliness and depression at this
critical time of year.
This increased need, as well as the rise
in new referrals, means we need to act
now, so we can rise to the challenge
and be there to support our members.
So I want to say a personal thank you
to those who have taken the time and
trouble to support us and donate to
this unexpected but urgent appeal.
Your support has been so kind and
thoughtful and it warms our hearts.
Please be assured that your donation
will be making a significant difference
to the many deafblind people we will
be supporting this winter.
Rod Cullen, Director of Finance and
Community Services
Deafblind
Awareness Week 2017
Emergency
appeal update
In memory of the life and birthday of Helen Keller, this year we
will be celebrating Deafblind Awareness Week from Monday 26th
June to Sunday 2nd July.
We are already making plans for events that will raise both funds and awareness to help us
further our work and of course, raise our profile in the community so that we can encourage
and support new members.
If you would like to get involved and support or organise an event in your area, please contact
us by email on marcoms@deafblind.org.uk or by phone on 01733 358100.