A SUPPORT group in Poole for people suffering from the most common cause of sight loss in the UK needs volunteers to stave off possible closure.

Members of the Macular Society’s Poole local group are anxious to recruit help with administration, finance and transport – to enable members to attend monthly meetings.

Sheila Plumber, who runs the group from Wimborne Road’s Longfleet Baptist Church, explained: “The Poole macular support group fills a big need in the community, but it can’t continue without volunteers to make the group work.”

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the central vision and become more common as populations age.

Sheila said: “One of our members, who is nearly totally blind, tells me the group is just wonderful and that it has completely changed her life.

“She has to come in by taxi, which is expensive for her, but she does it.

“Some people would love to attend the group but just can’t endure the travel. When you can’t see, it can be very hard to walk to bus stops and then change multiple buses to get somewhere.

“We are hoping that someone could give just a couple of hours every month, to give people a lift to help our members who struggle the most to attend their local group.”

The Poole group, that recently celebrated its first birthday, also need help with general administration and finances.

Macular Society group support and development manager Tom McInulty said: “There is a wonderful group of people in Poole who all benefit enormously from the chance to meet with others affected by the condition.

“This, coupled with the group activities, help people to regain control, build their confidence and get on with living life.”