The sight loss charity has seen a surge in demand amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Sight loss charity RNIB has been awarded £38,220 from the National Lottery Community Fund to extend support to blind and partially sighted people during the coronavirus lockdown.

The charity already has a grant from the fund to provide welfare benefits advice and support to clients across Scotland, and the additional funding announced today will cover costs associated with its community response to Covid-19.

Gillian Hallard, welfare benefits team leader at RNIB, said: “As a result of the funding we have already received through the National Lottery, RNIB has been able to provide welfare benefits advice to 1,400 blind and partially sighted people.

"This has been influential in shaping the advice and support we can provide and has enabled us to strengthen our offer and meet the needs of people across Scotland.”

Ms Hallard said the charity’s sight loss advice service had seen a 15% increase in calls during the current crisis, with concerns raised about issues such as the accessibility of shopping, the difficulties that people with sight loss can have in social distancing, emotional support and advice on welfare benefits.

She added: "We want ensure we are there for our customers to offer advice, provide support, or just listen to whatever challenges they are facing. The funding from the National Lottery supports us to continue this vital work."

Neil Ritch, Scotland director for the National Lottery Community Fund, said: “In these uncertain times our priority is to ensure that National Lottery money continues to flow to charities, voluntary sector organisations and grassroots groups.

“I would like to congratulate RNIB on the work they are doing. Theirs is an important project that will support people now during the current crisis, and in the future when they can physically come back together to make great things happen in their community.”