A Concert for The Blind by The Blind - what wonderful thing
When I and a group of fellow Rotarians were invited to The Hose of Lords to say thank you to Rotary for helping The Blind and partially sighted, I of course was excited. I have to say and I balme human nature here, more excited at being invited to The House of Lords than anything else. The invitation read "with guest speaker Denise Leigh". The name of this speaker meant nothing to me and I assumed that she would be the usual high quality speaker that Rotary always seems to find but I had no other expectations. Had I watched the ITV4 program 'Operatunity' , I may have been more enthusiastic but as I hadn't, I was not ready for effect the evening was to have on everyone there.

Speakers from The RNIB, Lord Low who himself is blind, Madam Speaker of The Lords and Denise Leigh spoke to the assembled Rotarians from the heart. What they had to say was extremely humbling. One by one they told us of things that Rotarians had done for them and for The RNIB, little things to our mind which were somehow life changing for them. What struck me very profoundly was the sheer optimism and love of life these individuals have despite handicaps that would leave most of us bitter and jealous of those with sight. If it was said once that night it was said one hundred times, Thank you Rotary, thank you Rotarians for thinking of us and for being there when we needed you.

My visit to The House of Lords was wonderful, memorable because of the magnificent building, the grandeur and beauty of the surroundings, the presence of those famous inhabitants through the years but poignantly because of people like Lord Low, Denise Leigh and her husband Stefan who despite being blind live life to the full, make a great contribution to our country and enrich our lives through their everyday endeavours.

Now I am challenging my club and our partner clubs to make a dream come true (yes, I know that is last year's Rotary theme but it is still valid today) for Denise Leigh and blind singers and musicians everywhere.

if you haven't already read my report on our website's front page, it is also shown below

Members of Eastbourne Sovereign were guests at an evening reception at The House of Lords in recognition of their help in supporting the Blind and partially sighted. Lord Low, Chairman of the RNIB hosted the event as Blind singer, Denise Leigh and others paid tribute to the help Rotarians have given and continue to give to the Blind and partially sighted. 

How often do you receive an invitation to The House of Lords? Imagine then, my surprise to receive an invitation to a drinks reception in The River Room of The House of Lords. Why me? was the most obvious question and the answer - because I am a Rotarian

Blind Lord Low, chairman of The RNIB was inviting me through RNIB to come to The House of Lords to thank me and other Rotarians for helping the Blind and partially sighted. And so, on the evening of 13th May 2009 I found myself undergoing elaborate security measures as I entered The House of Lords. With me were about 40 other Rotarians from various clubs around the UK as we were escorted to The prestigious River Room overlooking The Thames and The London Eye. That evening we heard from Madam Speaker of The House of Lords, Lord Low, who I am now privileged to call Collin, blind opera singer Denise Leigh and RNIB.

Rotarians never do what they do in the name of Rotary for self glorification but it is always pleasing to hear that whatever we have done is appreciated. To hear the praise and gratitude and the high esteem that Blind people have for Rotary was very humbling. It's all too easy to underestimate the effect that just a small effort can make to others. What the Rotary clubs of Eastbourne Sovereign and Hofgeismar-Wolfhagen did was to finance the production and distribution of a Talking Book for The Blind. Not an earth shattering achievemnet when taken in isolation but together with projects large and small from other Rotarians this makes an enormous difference to the Blind and partially sighted - how do I know?  because they never stopped thanking Rotary and their gratitude was evident and heartfelt.

After listening to the speeches telling us how much our help is appreciated, I was privileged to speak to Collin (Lord Low), Denise Leigh and her husband Stefan. Without exception they came over as optomistic, ethusiastic people despite a disability that would devastate most of us. Denise was so bubbly and delightful to talk to and Stefan equally enthusiastic and supportive it is easy to forget that, to them, every day is a challenge on a level we can only imagine. 

I left Westminster as darkness was falling and London was just 'waking up' in a blaze of neon lights which flickered in reflections on a lazy river Thames, proud to be a member of Eastbourne Sovereign, proud to be a Rotarian and determined to do even more.