A CHARITY for the blind stands to lose £10,000 a year because nobody is prepared to spend their free time fundraising.

David Taylor has been a part-time volunteer at the Weymouth branch of the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) for 15 years and is stepping down as appeals organiser at the end of July, so he can enjoy a full retirement.

But his colleagues fear that adults and children with sight problems will miss out on vital services like talking books, because nobody has answered an advert to replace him.

The RNIB's area fundraising manager, Christine Tibbett, said: "Talking books are a lifeline to the blind and I can't imagine how we are going to fill the gap if nobody comes forward.

"The job entails doing soft toy competitions for Dorchester and the surrounding areas, where people have to guess the name of the toy at £1 a go.

"It's a great job for getting out and about and meeting people, and would suit someone active and semi-retired or retired.

"The candidate receives out-of-pocket expenses like mileage and lunch, and no experience is necessary.

"I don't understand why we have had no applications for the post - when we advertised for someone to organise the collection boxes, we heard from seven or eight people."

Mrs Tibbett added: "I wish we could pay a salary, but we really couldn't afford it because it's always been done by a volunteer.

"It's already cost us £65 to advertise, so now I appeal to Echo readers who think they can spare a few hours each week to help us out."

David Taylor is a well-known fundraiser who has helped out with many activities, including the annual It's A Knockout charity tournament on Weymouth beach.

Mr Taylor, who has been blind for five years, said: "At first I could see reasonably well, but as my sight has deteriorated it has been getting a bit awkward for me to do any fundraising.

"It's time to relinquish my duties, but £10,000 is an awful lot of money and I don't like to leave the RNIB in the lurch."

If you think you could be the new appeals organiser for RNIB Weymouth, call Christine Tibbett on (01803) 215338.