A MIDLANDS charity is making a meal of helping people coping with sight loss by launching a new initiative at its Sedgley headquarters.

The Beacon Centre for the Blind is launching a lunch club to raise cash for the charity’s work helping thousands of people in the Black Country.

Groups can book a visit at the centre on Wolverhampton Road East for £5.95 per person which includes a main meal and dessert in the centre’s restaurant, a VIP tour of the charity’s facilities and a talk about sight loss.

Pete Moodie, from the Beacon Centre, said: “We’re delighted to announce the launch of our brand new lunch club which is now open for bookings – it’s a perfect place for community groups looking for a friendly atmosphere and restaurant to have a delicious meal.

“It is also a fantastic way to learn more about the Beacon Centre and the vital service we provide in the local community and, of course, every penny raised helps us to support local people with sight loss live fuller and more independent lives.”

The Beacon Centre for the Blind offers facilities and support to blind and partially sighted people, including residential, day care and community services.

More than 3,000 people benefit from the Beacon Centre’s work both in their homes and at a wide variety of arts and crafts, music, fitness and IT sessions at the Sedgley site.

To book a lunch club place contact Pete Moodie on pmoodie@beacon4blind.co.uk or call 01902 886795.

The charity is also celebrating after passing the £100,000 milestone for another fundraising project which offers people a grand opportunity for a windfall.

The Goalden (sic) Gate lottery offers a weekly prize of £1,000 but donates a hefty chunk of its takings to the centre.

The charity receives 45 per cent of the ticket fund and after six years has now collected £103,670.