Blind support group call for answers as funding is pulled

Dec 17 2008 by Katie Campling, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Members gathered a petition with 500 signatures demanding answers from Kirklees Council and presented this at the last cabinet meeting in November.

Society chairman Christine Woodcock addressed councillors at the meeting after making them all wear dark glasses to simulate blindness.

She said: “Bear in mind, you can take those glasses off. I have been registered blind for 14 years. The moment a specialist says to you, you will never see again, your world falls apart. There’s a lot of people like me who, if we don’t get the small amount of support, will soon be in critical or substantial need and that will be passed to the council in expense.

“We want some decisions. I know what our members are going through. I am asking the council please will you get your finger out.”

At the meeting Clr Andrew Palfreeman, cabinet member for finance, promised to try and get information for the group members.

He said: “I agree that you need this information as quickly as possible.”