Almost 80 people across Cornwall have benefited from a fund designed to help blind and partially sighted people maintain their independence.

iSightCornwall launched the Inspiring Futures Fund to mark the Charity’s 160th birthday and gave out grants of up to £1,000 for people to use in a way that would have a positive impact on their lives.

Talking microwaves, accessible computers, a tandem bike and a college course were just some of the things that were awarded. In total, 78 people aged between five and 97 received a grant.

Shirley Evans runs the Saltash Blind and Partially Sighted (Saltash BAPS) club which meets at Ashtorre Rock once a fortnight.

Shirley organises the entertainment and arranges for volunteer drivers to bring members to and from the club from as far as Looe and Liskeard and she does this despite being registered as Severely Sight Impaired herself.

Shirley applied to the fund for a new smartphone with built-in accessibility. She said: ’I’m absolutely thrilled to bits with it.

’It has made my life an awful lot easier when it comes to making arrangements for the club as I can phone and email much more quickly.

’It has also given me more independence as I am less reliant on other people for help. The world is progressing with technology and I’m not being left behind.’

The Inspiring Futures Fund was made possible thanks to the generosity of people remembering iSightCornwall in their wills.

Terri Rosnau-Ward, chief executive of the charity said: ’Over a quarter of the vital work we do is made possible thanks to legacy donations. We wanted to put these incredible gifts to the best possible use which is why we created the fund. These legacies will inspire the futures of other visually impaired people in Cornwall.’

To become a member of iSightCornwall or to find out more about the services they offer visit  www.isightcornwall.org.uk  or call 01872 261110.