4SIGHT charity award winners celebrated

STAR volunteers, supporters and staff from charity 4SIGHT have been presented with awards.
Kirstie Thomas receives the Community Fundraising Award from chief executive Martin PearsonKirstie Thomas receives the Community Fundraising Award from chief executive Martin Pearson
Kirstie Thomas receives the Community Fundraising Award from chief executive Martin Pearson

Presentation were made at the 4SIGHT Sapphire Ball to mark exceptional contributions to the services over recent years.

Chief executive Martin Pearson said: “The ball was a great success, raising more than £5,000 for local sight loss charity 4SIGHT.

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“The ball was held at the Sussex County Cricket Club in Hove, with guests from around Sussex, who enjoyed a great meal, entertainment followed by an auction and dancing in the Pavilion.”

Amy Bunn was named Community Volunteer PartnerAmy Bunn was named Community Volunteer Partner
Amy Bunn was named Community Volunteer Partner

Amy Bunn, a team leader at Lloyds Bank, Hove, won Community Volunteer Partner, having been ‘a great advocate for 4SIGHT’.

Mr Pearson said: “She has been a home visitor and fundraising volunteer for our Shoreham centre for several years. She has given her time to support the charity but also through her job via the Lloyds Bank Foundation scheme, she has enabled 4SIGHT to access match funding for many events which staff attend as volunteers.”

Kirstie Thomas, an outreach worker based at the 4SIGHT offices in Ham Road, Shoreham, won the Community Fundraising Award.

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Mr Pearson said: “Kirstie has supported a vast range of fundraising events and activities across the Adur and Worthing area, attending and co-ordinating most of these out of hours and in her own time, from coffee mornings, street and store collections, Lions and Rotary events and quizzes to the annual Angmering Ramble.

Darren Baker receives the Community Partnership AwardDarren Baker receives the Community Partnership Award
Darren Baker receives the Community Partnership Award

“She has enabled 4SIGHT to raise more than £25,000 in the last year through these efforts and put an enormous amount of effort into supporting the charity over and above her outreach worker role.”

Darren Baker, manager at Waitrose in Worthing, received the Community Partnership Award.

The Waitrose Community Matters scheme has been a regular partner for 4SIGHT services, supporting the resource centres and clubs in many areas.

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Mr Pearson said had meant activities could be maintained, preventing social isolation and developing outreach to local communities, as well as enabling 4SIGHT to promote its support services.

Mandy Whitman was presented with a special award by event sponsor Mott Macdonald team leader Caroline Dugard and recruitment manager Robert PowerMandy Whitman was presented with a special award by event sponsor Mott Macdonald team leader Caroline Dugard and recruitment manager Robert Power
Mandy Whitman was presented with a special award by event sponsor Mott Macdonald team leader Caroline Dugard and recruitment manager Robert Power

“This contribution has been vital in providing funds to local services which are often neglected by funders,” he added.

A special award for personal contribution to services for people with sight loss in Sussex was presented to Mandy Whitman, sight care adviser in West Sussex hospitals for more than 17 years.

She has developed the service, providing a personal support service, and has significantly enhanced 4SIGHT’s reputation.

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Mr Pearson said: “She has also supported the development of the 4SIGHT team, which has enabled 4SIGHT to develop a sight care and low vision service which is nationally renowned, and delivers a unique personal service for people in the county.”

The ball was organised by final year events graduates from University of Chichester and celebrated the charity’s 94th year of supporting blind and partially-sighted people.

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