TWO charitable organisations in the borough have benefitted from donations from the Big Lottery Fund.

Both Helping Hands for the Blind, based in Eastrop Way, and St Leonard’s Church, in Cliddesden, were recipients of donations from the fund, which awards grants to community organisations up and down the country.

Helping Hands for the Blind, which is based in The Roger Morris Centre, will be using the £8,955 it will receive to help set up a computer and technology which is more suitable for blind or visually impaired users.

Chair of Helping Hands for the Blind, David Chatten-Smith, said: “This is really helpful as we are a small charity and it is very expensive. Technology changes quickly and often equipment that we have goes out-of-date before long.

“With this all-new computer, we have sorted it so that it can be upgraded as and when it is needed. The computers will have talking software so that people can hear what they are typing.

“It can be used for e-learning, sending and filling in application forms and more. It will really enhance the community.

“We are hoping to get the computer set up and running after Easter.”

The money will also be used to get more smartboards, as well as accessible projectors for the centre.

St Leonard’s Church received £9,292 to help replace its broken boiler.

In the early autumn of 2017, the gas heating boiler broke down in the church, so the Parochial Church Council applied for the funding.

After approval the church is now nice and warm, with the new boiler being installed in January.

Associate rector or Farleigh, Candover and Wield, Reverend Stephen Mourant, said: “A heartfelt thank you to the National Lottery Awards for All scheme for helping us; without this grant we could not have installed the new boiler yet.”

The next phase for the development of the church is an installation of a toilet, kitchen facilities and moving pews. The country parish has so far raised £50,000 towards this and is still looking for £25,000 to do the work.

Rev Mourant added: “It is a joy to be working together in this small community to improve our facilities.” for the 21st century, that the more than 1,000 years of Christian worship and witness may be enhanced. We are grateful for the grant aid received from the Lottery Fund, enabling this replacement in a small village community.

“The congregation are looking forward to the next phase being completed, and fundraising and grant applications continue for this final part of the work.”