BLIND and visually impaired people in Sidmouth were smiling this week after shoppers in the town helped net a much valued club �330.

BLIND and visually impaired people in Sidmouth were smiling this week after shoppers in the town helped net a much valued club �330.

Waitrose handed over the cash to grateful members the Sidmouth Blind Club in St Peter's Church Hall, Sidford, on Monday as part of its Community Matters scheme.

The club, which provides a lifeline for 24 local people with restricted sight, has been running in the town for nearly 50 years, and its organiser for 37 of them has plans for the donation..

Mary Trilsbach, 79, who has been involved with the club since 1972, said: "This absolutely makes a difference. People in our group are elderly and don't get out of their houses and certainly don't get taken out for treats by people. This will help towards that. We will use the money to go out for a special cream tea.

"It seems a small thing but is a big deal to them, for some members we are their only contact, it's the only time they get out of their house and the only thing they look forward to- they also become jolly good friends and really care about each other."

Mary said the club, which offers a free door to door service, is always on the lookout for new members and she can be contacted on (01395) 516572.

Waitrose dishes out �1,000 between three local charities every month to demonstrate its commitment to the community. Customers are given tokens at the checkout and vote who they would like to see receive a cash-boost when leaving the store. Shelter Box and The Owl Trust joined the Blind Club as recipients in December's scheme.