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downsmail.co.uk 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 likes to give back to the charity some of the benefit he has gained. He began to lose his sight 12 years


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-


Stars take on locals


TESTON Cricket Club captain Steve Coley holds a shirt signed by the Lashings All Stars after being named man of the match in a fixture to launch the club’s new pavilion at Barham Court. Coley took four wickets in one over to destroy Lash-


ings’ middle order, but the visitors, who between them have more than 1,000 international caps, tri- umphed in the end. Sport England awarded Teston £50,000 towards the pavilion. Pictured with Coley is ex-England all-rounder Phil de Freitas, who skippered the Lashings XI.


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.


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”.


Policewarning after objects thrown on to M20


POLICE are reminding people of the penalties they face for throwing objects from road bridges following a number of incidents on the M20. Signs have been fixed to bridges


which cross parts of the motorway in West Kent, warning offenders they could face up to seven years in prison and fines of £1,000. Notices have also been secured to crossings above the A228. There have been 15 reported inci- dents of objects being thrown off


18 Malling July 2015


bridges, between junctions 4 and 5 of the M20 and from crossings over the A228 at Snodland and East Peckham, since January this year. Chief Inspector Gill Ellis said: “I cannot stress enough how danger- ous it is to throw objects from bridges. Throwing anything at a moving vehicle is incredibly stupid and also malicious. It could easily kill someone, especially if they are travelling at high speeds on a major road.


“Fortunately reports of this na-


ture are still rare, but those who commit such crimes will face seri- ous repercussions. We also want motorists to be aware that incidents such as this are occurring and to re- main vigilant.” CCTV cameras have now been installed to monitor key locations, as officers endeavour to reduce the number of such incidents. Chief Insp Ellis added: “We will be monitoring the cameras and will


arrest anyone we find carrying out these malicious acts. Patrols have been increased in vulnerable areas, which will be making regular checks for any suspicious behav- iour. “We are also working with schools to inform and educate pupils of the dangers and penalties. I would urge parents to also ensure their children know the dangers and consequences of throwing ob- jects on to the highway.”


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