A CITY charity will be hoping to raise awareness of the vital work that it does and at the same time boost its coffers by organising a coffee morning later this week.

The event being organised by Worcestershire Assoc-iation for the Blind between 10am and 1pm at the Guildhall, High Street, Worcester, on Friday will also include a cake stall, a tombola, a sale of bric-a-brac and home-made jam.

All proceeds will go towards helping fund the wide range of essential services on offer from the charity's base at the Bradbury Centre in Sansome Walk.

Louise Carlin, the association's community fund-raiser said: "We're about to launch a major campaign to raise awareness of the services we offer and this will be a first step in meeting people in Worcester to let them know just what we do and who we support."

Worcestershire Association for the Blind is keen to get the message across that it is the only organisation offering the broad range of services it has in the county.

"Losing your sight or developing a visual problem can be devastating for anyone, but with the support we can offer, people can learn to accept this, not only in practical terms, but in emotional terms as well.

At the Bradbury Centre, the Worcestershire Assoc-iation for the Blind offers all kinds of support, from teaching braille, arts and crafts activities, cookery classes and exercise classes in its own mini-gym to a county-wide home visiting service which enables people to remain independent Miss Carlin added: "Importantly, we also organise leisure activities and social events that give people the opportunity to meet others with visual impairments so they can chat and share experiences and find new opportunities that will enrich their lives.

"We welcome people from right across the county and provide transport for many of those we support so they can enjoy the activities we offer them."

Anyone who would like to bake and donate cakes for the coffee morning can do so and drop them into the Bradbury Centre on Thursday, May 17. Anyone who would like to volunteer to help out should contact Louise Carlin on 01905 723245.