SIR: Vision Aid, the Bolton charity supporting blind and visually impaired children, would once again appeal to your readers for their support and generosity on the occasion of the Vision Aid Street Collection, which will take place in the Bolton town centre on Saturday, June 13, 1998.

Following the publicising of our activities on various television programmes last year, ever more families are seeking Vision Aid's help, with the number of inquiries increasing by 168pc, visits to the Vision Aid Centre by 72pc, and home visits by 75pc.

To respond to these approaches, we need additional stocks of toys and games, publications, visual stimulation equipment, and hi tech educational aids. And without any commercial sponsor or ongoing funding, we are reliant upon the generosity of a great many individuals and organisations.

All the proceeds from the Street Collection will be devoted to the maintaining the level of services available at the Vision Aid Centre. But for it to be successful we urgently need additional volunteers, to act as collectors on June 13, and while we will be collecting from 9am until 6pm, help for any period of the day - however short - would be appreciated.

If anyone is willing to join in our efforts on behalf of blind children, and can offer some of their time on June 13, may I ask them to contact Vision Aid on 01204 531882, or to just come along on the day to our control point, which will be a vehicle parked on the north side of Victoria Square.

?Norman Paine,

General Secretary,

Vision Aid,

Chorley New Road, Bolton.?

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