A VIP quartet joined forces to mark the golden anniversary of a West Midlands charity being based in Sedgley.
The mayors of Wolverhampton, Dudley and Sandwell, and the vice-chairman of South Staffordshire Council gathered to plant a tree at the Beacon Centre for the Blind, commemorating the charity’s 50 years at the site on Wolverhampton Road East.
Councillors Milkinder Jaspal (Wolverhampton), Alan Finch (Dudley), Linda Horton (Sandwell) and Janet Johnson (South Staffordshire) planted a Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Frisia’, or False Acacia, tree which was generously donated by Hollybush Nurseries in Shareshill.
Beacon Centre chief executive Arwyn Jones said: “The tree planting was a lovely event, bringing together four mayors who are our Joint Presidents, from West Midlands, where we support thousands of local people living with sight loss. They were all fascinated to learn more about the charity’s work and the many ways we can help people to lead more independent lives.
“We expect the tree to flourish and grow, just as the strong roots put down by the Beacon Centre here in Sedgley 50 years ago have enabled it to become a treasured part of the local community.”
The Beacon Centre for the Blind offers a full range of facilities and support to blind and partially sighted people, including a mix of residential, day care and community services.
More than 3,000 people in the community receive support from a team of dedicated outreach workers and social groups can meet at the Sedgley centre to participate in arts and crafts, music, fitness and IT sessions.
The charity also operates seven charity shops across the West Midlands, which deliver much-needed funds through sales of quality donated items and a selection of new goods. Money raised from the shops – in Wolverhampton, Bilston, Bloxwich, Wednesbury, Cannock, Halesowen and the centre in Sedgley – supports a range of services for people of all ages living with a visual impairment.
To find out more visit www.beacon4blind.co.uk