A scheme to provide talking books for visually-impaired children has received a fundraising boost.

The Rotary Club of Wrexham Yale has donated a total of £3,000 to include two books in the RNIB Talking Books Library – and is the first donor this year to sponsor a Welsh language work.

The club has donated £1,500 to sponsor the inclusion of Y Biliwnydd Bach – a translation of David Walliams’ Billionaire Boy – and the same amount for an English language book.

For over 80 years, supported by clubs and other organisations, RNIB’s Talking Books service has helped create a lifeline to the outside world for blind and partially sighted people in the UK.

Club president Andrew Fergus said; “Wrexham Yale Rotary chooses a small number of good causes to support each year through fundraising activity and service projects.

“During the 2016/17 Rotary year, we have held a number of events in support of the RNIB’s Talking Books initiative and are thrilled to have raised £3,000 to fund the recording of two children’s books; one in English and one in Welsh as is befitting of our bilingual club.”

RNIB Talking Books library provides more than 23,000 titles for free to blind and partially sighted people and children.

It costs £1,500 to sponsor a child’s talking book and £2,500 to sponsor an adult’s title.

RNIB Cymru chairman John Ramm added: “RNIB Cymru is very excited that the Rotary Club of Wrexham Yale has funded two children’s talking books.

“These books will now be available for blind and partially sighted children to access in Welsh and English.

“Reading is an essential life skill and also an amazing gift to escape into new worlds and discover your imagination.

“RNIB Cymru believes that no child with sight loss should be denied this, and we are extremely grateful to Rotary Club of Wrexham Yale for helping to change the story.”

For more information on the scheme, contact Carol McKinlay carol.mckinlay@rnib.org.uk call 02920 828 590 or visit www.rnib.org.uk/sponsor
talkingbooks.