And what a result we achieved. Although the Guinness Book of Records declined to accept our efforts as a record, we did enough to get people talking about preventable blindness and…. LIONS.
Nearly 80 clubs from all our 13 Districts found a wide range of imaginative ways to get the messages over – walking up iconic cobbled hills, leading police inspectors and vicars, running around the track, negotiating busy shopping centres, eating lunch and getting youngsters to experience disorientation as part of the national curriculum.Blindfolds, white sticks, guide dogs – they all played a part.
The important thing was it was all done with a lot of fun – and we know from the feedback that some serious points were taken on board.
In more than one town MPs, local mayors and councillors were taken aback by the experience and have ordered their officials to look at the problems encountered by visually impaired people.
In particular, towns with ‘shared surfaces’ were surprised to learn from Guide Dog owners that the dogs are taught to recognise kerbs. This causes concern when the introduction of shared surfaces removes the very thing they look for.
The number of children taking part also pleased organisers. The national curriculum includes lessons on the senses at primary age and some schools took the advantage to use our project for that purpose.
And the general public were certainly made aware of their local Lions Clubs with the sight of blindfolded individuals walking through their streets, sometimes accompanied by Town Criers. Lots of press coverage and radio interviews, with two clubs being given extended slots on ‘Insight’, the RNIB’s own radio station.
So, as an organisation, we took our own ‘Step Into The Unknown’ with an event being coordinated across our whole area and the results were encouraging. Like anyone taking their first steps, we knew there were lessons to be learnt; but the overwhelming feedback was that of success. We certainly increased awareness of blindness and of Lions. We proved that we can act together as a large organisation; and we proved that the spirit of Lionism is alive and well throughout the British Isles and Ireland.
Follow this link to view more pictures.
Well Done and a big ‘Thank you!’ to everyone taking part.
