Charity’s software gift proves a Jaw-fire hit

A MAN from Great Staughton who was registered blind two years ago has been given computer software to make life a little easier.

While on a Royal National Institute for the Blind course at Loughborough College, Andrew came across Jaws, which allows a computer to either read out individual letters as they are typed or whole words.

Now, thanks to the fund-raising efforts of the Pidley Mountain Rescue Team, he has had the software installed on his home computer.

Andrew, 49, who started to have problems with his sight at the age of 10, said: "It has made such a difference having the equipment at home for me to use whenever I want.

"I never would have been able to afford to buy the equipment myself. I use my computer purely as a hobby and it is brilliant to have a piece of software that makes using it at home so easy."

The Hunts Society for the Blind contacted Pidley Mountain Rescue Team and asked the charity if it could provide Andrew with the £665 software.

Helen Bosworth, secretary for the society said: "We often have people inquiring about what help might be available to them and I usually always mention Pidley Mountain Rescue.

"In Andrew's case, I contacted them myself to see if they could help."

Chairman of Pidley Mountain Rescue Team, Gill Boyd, said: "This is yet another example of how every single penny given to Pidley Mountain Rescue Team goes towards providing a piece of equipment for a disabled person in the community to improve their quality of living."

The Hunts Society for the Blind has 500 members and holds four meetings a month. It also offers an outreach team which makes home visits.

INFORMATION: The Hunts Society for the Blind shop is in St Mary's Street, Huntingdon, and is open Monday to Friday 10am-3pm, and 10am-1pm on the first Saturday of every month. To find out more, phone 01480 453438, or to find out more about the Pidley Mountain Rescue Team visit www.pidleymountainrescue.org.uk