The Lion’s Club of Bermuda is hosting its annual fundraiser for the blind and visually impaired, and organisers said there is an increased need for support this year.

Marlene Christopher, chairwoman of Sight Conservation for the charity, said there had been more applications for financial help since Covid and encouraged the public to make donations during its annual White Cane Tag Days this month.

Rena Lalgie, the Governor, highlighted the drive yesterday at her temporary residence in Paget.

The tag days take place on March 15 and 16, and donation buckets will be located at optometrist offices for the duration of the month.

Ms Christopher said: “We are encouraging people to give generously this year because we have seen an increase in the number of cases and applications. People don’t have insurance, and so we have to assist them in that respect.

“We go right throughout the spectrum from very young children to seniors and even able-bodied people, some of whom do not have jobs right now. We can assist them.

“We noticed the increase more so after Covid. We screen our clients. It is based on their financial need.”

Ms Christopher said that before Covid the charity received about 30 applications, and last year there were 44. Funds raised through the White Cane Tag Day, which has been running for about 50 years, help people with blindness and vision impairment with costs towards eye exams and eye glasses. Anyone needing assistance with paying for their treatment is referred to Vision Bermuda.

Ms Christopher added: “We had a lot of support from other charities to help us to tag this year. We would like to thank them. We are grateful to the co-chair for the Tag Day committee, Jean Stovell, who has done a stellar job in contacting the charities to come on board.

“We are a charity, and we can only assist if we receive the funds. This is our main fundraiser of the year, and we really rely on the public to support us. We do get donations periodically from the three Lion’s Clubs in Bermuda and occasionally we have received a larger donation from a larger company.”

Mark Botelho, district governor for the Nassau County New York and Bermuda Lions, said that Lion’s Club International’s involvement with supporting those with vision impairments and the blind originated with Helen Keller, a disability rights advocate and political activist.

Mr Botelho said: “Helen Keller challenged the Lions to become ‘Knights of the Blind’ which is where it all started. This is why anything sight related is important to the Lions worldwide.”

• Anyone wishing to donate can also contact Marlene Christopher on 236-5440, by e-mail at chrismar@logic.bm or by calling Jean Stovell on 534-6607 or e-mailing stovlewis@gmail.com