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News Charity’s work ‘saved my life’


VOLUNTEERS, service users and friends gathered to celebrate the 95th birthday of a charity which helps more than 11,000 blind and partially-sighted people in Kent. The KentAssociation for the Blind


(Kab), in College Road, Maidstone, was founded to help servicemen re- turning home with sight problems after WorldWar I. After just nine months, the charity


was helping 157 people. The original database, written in copperplate, along with the first minute book from 1920, reveal a stark contrast to the work of the organisation today. Volunteers now offer a range of services which give new life to its 11,000 service users. Talking newspapers, audio books, kitchen aids and IT tuition are among the services that enable visu- ally impaired people to lead full – and fulfilling – lives. Sarah Rolfe (25), from Larkfield,


was born partially-sighted. Al- though she went to mainstream school before attending Dorton House in Seal, Sarah struggled to come to terms with her sight prob- lems. She said: “Coming here has in- creased my confidence. I have met some ofmybest friends here and the charity has helped me to accept my sight loss.” Sarahnowvolunteers on the char-


ity’s reception desk and her experi- ence has given her the confidence to apply for a paid job in the commu- nity. Paul Smith (41), from Senacre, is another service user who also likes to give back to the charity some of the benefit he has gained. He began to lose his sight 12 years


Crews tackle


farm blaze VILLAGERS in Ulcombe were told to keep their windows shut on the hottest July day ever recorded in Britain when a fire in farm buildings sent choking smoke across their homes. The smoke was coming from a


large fire that ripped through a workshop and farm buildings at Pye Corner. Eight fire engines and 40 fire-fighterswere called to the scene. Fire service operations director


Sean Bone-Knell said: “It was ex- tremely arduous physical work for our crews who did a fantastic job of bringing it under control in very dif- ficult conditions.” The fire is believed to have started


in a barn and spread to at least two outbuildings containing farm ma- chinery, all of whichwere destroyed. Firefighters managed to success-


fully remove and cool cylinders stored on site to ensure they were not affected by the blaze. The cause of the fire is currently being investigated.


Pavilion opened at fete


HUNTON’S village fete saw a great turnout after the proceedings were kicked off with the official opening of the cricket pavilion. One of the highlights of the day was a giant balloon show by Michael Imerson. Dr Jazz provided Dixieland jazz music whilst children joined in with a girls v boys tug of war, resulting in a close call victory for the boys. The dog show judge had their work cut out trying to choose between all


those appealing eyes and fast wagging tails. The title of Hunton’s Best Baker was awarded to James Redman. Claire


Taylorwas the winner of the best chocolate cake and Ali Adams impressed judges with her Victoria sandwich. Pukka Ponies Equine Rescue offered pony rides, raising more than £150


to support its work with ponies, donkeys and horses. The cricket club received a £50,000 grant fromSport England under its


Inspired Facilities scheme, which funded most of the pavilion project. Other contributions came from from the parish council, the cricket club and a KCC member’s grant fromCllr Paulina Stockell.


From left, Paul Smith, CEO Karen Osborn, KAB fundraising manager Amy Van der Weide, and Sarah Rolfe


ago and had to give up his work on the roads three years ago. He, his brother and sisterwere all diagnosed with the hereditary dis- ease retinitis pigmentosa. Paul said: “Kab has saved my life. “Whenyou start to lose your sight,


your job, your ability to work, you need to rely more and more on other people.” Paul now volunteers for Kab him-


self, helping with peer support. He has gained many new friends,


not the least of which is his trusty guide dog Pedro. Paul said: “When I finished my


white stick training, they signed me up and aweek later I had a dog. “I would not have done half the


things I have done without the help of Kab. This place keeps me going. “Most people have lost someone through cancer, but not everyone knows someonewhois blind or par- tially-sighted, so they have no con-


cept ofhowdevastating it can be.We need to raise awareness of all condi- tions which can affect people and the fantastic work that Kab does to help all of us in overcoming the difficul- ties.” At Paul’s suggestion, the charity


now plans to organise a 100-mile fundraising event to mark Kab’s cen- tenary in five years, but chief execu- tive Karen Osborn refuses to think beyond another 10 years. Before cutting a cake donated by


the Annabelle Jane Cake School in King Street, Karen said:“Whenpeo- ple ask wherewe will be in another 95 years, I say I hopewe will be out of business. I hope that sight loss will have been eliminated and there will be no further use for us.We will be here in five and probably in 10 but I don’twant to think beyond that.” The chief executive thanked all the volunteers, saying: “We could not manage without them.”


How Kab can help


KAB helps those who are visually impaired to live independent and happy lives through services such as rehabilitation, social and leisure services and one-to-one support. The charity’s rehabilitation


workers help service users and their carers to manage the practi- cal and emotional aspects of sight loss.


With a network of more than 50


clubs and groups, those with sight impairments are given the chance to get out regularly, meet new people and try something new and challenging. Most clubs meet regularly, with some only meeting for the morning, and others meet- ing for the whole day. The variety of activities means there is always something for everyone, whether they are into reading or rambling. The Kab also provides a more personal one-to-one support serv- ice for those who need or want extra help. Trained enablers sup- port visually impaired people to achieve the highest level of inde- pendence. This service is available throughout Kent, Medway and Bromley. There are currently 11,000 peo- ple on the Kab register.


Birds stolen


MORE than 60 birds have been stolen from an aviary at a home in Dean Street, East Farleigh. Fifteen diamond doves, 15 hecks


and eight yellow weavers were among the stolen birds. Aviary owners are being re- minded to review what security measures they have in place to help protect against thieves. Police officers have also re- minded owners to be extra vigilant if they are approached by anyone trying to sell birds.


College head SIMON Cook has been appointed principal of MidKent College. Simon started teaching in 1999


after a career as a chef which took him all over the world. He joined MidKent in 2013 as vice-principal and became acting principal after the death of Sue McLeod. Simon said he has “great hopes


and ambitions for students” and that he “would not be here without a college like MidKent”.


Maidstone South July 2015 17


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