In the last year’s report I said it had been a good year, what can I say about this year? Patrick Roe died suddenly in May which left many of us deeply shocked, our lottery money for the Home Visiting Service came to an end in the autumn and I hope that the Primary Care Trusts will finance this very important service from April 2009. Peter Davies, Home Visitor, has taken early retirement leaving us at the end of March 2009 which means that the home visiting service has ceased in South Staffs area and finally, the world economy has collapsed, what an end to our financial year!

However, we must remain positive about the future. Some of our social clubs have waiting lists and more people are visiting the hospital help desks. Our new low vision “eccentric viewing” service is gaining new customers.

In trying to support our services, we have continued to sell shares to balance the accounts, the overspend this year is £73,117, this cannot continue next year.

I am making an appeal for members and families to give us financial support, unlike National Charities we provide face-to-face services, most of them don’t, the money that leaves the County rarely comes back in the way of provision, without financial support there will not be a Staffordshire Blind in three years time.

However, my thanks again to the Board of Directors and other volunteers who have worked tirelessly supporting members and also to all the staff for their support and commitment.