A leading charity has launched an urgent appeal for donations after revealing it has lost almost £700,000 during the first six months of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Sight loss charity The Beacon Centre says Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on its members, many of whom are most at risk from the virus, and the charity itself. 

The cancellation of the charity’s face-to-face services and fundraising activities, as well as the closure of its shops during lockdown means than since it has lost £682,000. Beacon’s Director of Income Generation, Stella Pitt, said:

“Over the past six months we have listened to and witnessed the horrendous physical and emotional impact Covid-19 has had on our members. 

“We’ve done all we can to continue supporting people when they have needed us the most, our small care team have been on the frontline looking after people 24-hours a day, we’ve expanded services such as our talking news and we’ve made around 8,000 welfare calls to check in with our members. 

“Sadly, the amount of income we have lost in the past six months will have a huge impact on our charity. We know how challenging times are for all of us right now, but we need people’s support more than ever. 

“We’ve been part of the community for 145 years and we’re doing everything we can to ensure we are still here for another 145.”

The charity’s appeal comes as it begins to pilot some of its face-to-face services for members during Autumn.

Staff have been working hard over the past few months to ensure that activities are Covid-19 secure so that members can be welcomed back safely. 

The charity is working within local restrictions and numbers will be limited, staff will be wearing appropriate PPE and additional cleaning will be in place.

Among those the charity helps is Carl Galloway, a Beacon Centre member with sight loss who regularly attended the Sedgley day centre prior to the pandemic. He said:

“Before lockdown I was making really good progress with my independence and mobility, feeling more confident every day with Beacon’s support.

“But being without Beacon over the past few months has been really hard. I have felt isolated and lonely from not being able to spend time with my friends and enjoy the sense of community Beacon brings.

“I need Beacon’s support and the daily structure it brings to my life more than ever, especially as I try to regain the skills I have lost during lockdown.”

You can donate online by visiting beaconvision.org/beaconofhope or to donate £5, text BEACONHOPE to 70085.

Texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about Beacon’s work and fundraising via telephone and SMS.