The popular walk along Douglas promenade which has become a highlight of the annual Vision Awareness Week will return for 2017, Manx Blind Welfare Society has confirmed.

However, it will have a new look and a new name. This year the Isle of Man community is being invited to ‘Step Out for Sight’ on Sunday 17th September.

Starting at 3pm from the Jubilee Kiosk on Loch Promenade, participants will head towards the former Summerland site, walking as far as they feel comfortable before turning back.

Manx Blind Welfare Society Volunteers Coordinator & Events Organiser Debbie Thomson said: ‘The promenade walk has become the finale to Vision Awareness Week and this year we have given it a new name, to better reflect that the event is about visual impairment, and a new look, with people invited to join in as they choose. You can walk however you want, so put on fancy dress, try it blindfolded, bring your dog, go three legged – it’s up to you!

‘The aim of the week is to raise awareness of visual impairment, so we just want as many people as possible to join Step Out for Sight. However, if you’d like to help raise funds to support our vital work with blind and visually impaired people across the Island, we’d be delighted to welcome sponsored walkers.

‘Step Out for Sight is also open to groups, such as Scouts and Guides, and Manx Blind Welfare Society has embroidered badges available to group members who join the walk to mark their achievement.’

Vision Awareness Week runs from 11th to 17th September and will be highlighting eye health, particularly the dangers of smoking, and raising awareness of the issues faced by the hundreds of visually impaired people living in the Isle of Man.

To celebrate the return of Vision Awareness Week, Manx Blind Welfare Society is hosting a Ceilidh in the Park on Friday 8th September. Featuring music from Tarroo Marroo Ceili Band, the event will be held in Onchan Park Marquee from 7.30pm.

Tickets cost ?15, which includes a chilli supper, and can be purchased by calling 674727. There will also be a raffle and a licensed bar will be available.

Manx Blind Welfare Society provides vital services for more than 600 people with serious sight loss on the Isle of Man and during Vision Awareness Week the charity will also be publicising the work they do alongside other charities, societies and agencies with blind and visually impaired people.

To find out more about Step Out for Sight and Vision Awareness Week 2017 please visit www.mbws.org.im/vision-awareness-week.