A LIFE-changing Rugby charity has celebrated its 48th birthday.
Rugby Talking Newspaper (RTN) started publishing audio versions of Rugby news for the blind and visually impaired in October 1977 – and has not missed a week since.
Since then, with the support of the Rugby Observer and other local news outlets, the RTN has made audio recordings of the week’s local news and distributed it for free – previously on tape, and now on USB memory sticks – to local people who are registered blind or partially sighted.
RRTN Editor Simon Ainley said: “It’s a very proud milestone.
“It’s amazing to think that we have been going non-stop since Queen Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee, when ‘Yes Sir, I Can Boogie’ by Baccara was number one in the charts.
“The main aim of our work is to help fight the symptoms of social isolation that can be such a cruel part of becoming blind.
“Our listeners are very appreciative of what we bring to them – best summed up, perhaps, by Mrs B, whose son recently told us that she felt like she still knows Rugby and it’s goings-on, even though she can no longer get out and about.”
He said the RTN was in the middle of a recruitment drive, and appealed for new volunteers.
He added: “There are many more visually-impaired people in the wider area who don’t know about us and could enjoy their own weekly talking newspaper.
“In editorial, production, reading and admin, we are looking for new volunteers to bring fresh energy and ideas to help us gear up for that growth.
“Contact us, and you never know- you could be helping to organise our 50th anniversary party.”
Rugby Observer Editor Andy Morris said the work of the RTN was admirable.
He added: “We at The Observer are proud to be a part of it.
“The volunteers involved work selflessly to ensure blind and visually impaired people in Rugby feel included in the community.
“We congratulate them on their many years of hard work. Long may it continue.”
Email [email protected] to get involved in the RTN.
