One of the West Midland’s oldest charities has launched a new fundraising drive to help boost donations and combat the devastating impact of Covid-19.

Sight loss charity the Beacon Centre is encouraging people to join in with its second Fiver Fortnight campaign. There are a number of different activities people can get involved with and all of them are aimed at encouraging people to donate £5 to the charity.
 
If everyone in Beacon’s local community did so, the charity would raise £1.3 million - enough to keep it running for another year. It comes after the organisation ran a similar campaign in summer 2020 which raised vital funds to support people with sight loss. 

The current fundraising fortnight runs between February 8th and February 21st and activities include the chance to show some love for Beacon and a special someone on Valentine’s Day. Whether it’s a husband, wife, partner, friend, your children or someone sadly no longer with us, anyone can show their love for someone special by dedicating a virtual heart in their honour.  You can visit visufund.com to make a donation.

Alternatively, you can head to the centre's Facebook page to make a donation or text donate to make a difference. People can also text BEACONFIVER to 70085 to donate £5. Each donation will help support someone with sight loss (texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message). Beacon Centre Supporter Engagement Manager Sophie Higgins said:

“This latest lockdown is tough for us all, but our vulnerable members are feeling isolated and lonely as their sight loss can mean it is harder for them to get out to the shops or for exercise.  

“We want to ensure we can be there for them but unfortunately, the lockdown has been tough for our charity as well and we are losing around £9,500 a week as a result of the impact of the current restrictions. 

“We have had such fantastic support throughout the pandemic, and we would really appreciate people getting behind our Fiver Fortnight campaign.”