The doors of Maitland Town Hall will be thrown open for the Black and White Committee’s 47th annual luncheon.
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A crowd of 300 is expected to attend the event on Wednesday, April 28, for the group’s major fundraiser for Vision Australia.
“Many people don’t understand what it is like to be vision impaired,” committee president Ann Burns said.
“Vision Australia doesn’t just work with people who are blind, it covers all vision impairments including macular degeneration.
“Macular degeneration is very common, more than people think.”
Australian Women’s Weekly editor-in-chief Helen McCabe was the guest speaker at last year’s luncheon, where $65,000 was raised.
This year there will be two guest speakers – Rolf Geerlings and Tanya Savva.
Mr Geerlings is a former pastry chef who was diagnosed with macular degeneration in 2000.
He now works for Vision Australia and will share his story, with his seeing eye dog Echo by his side.
Tanya Savva will speak about the challenges her six-year-old daughter Mackenzie, who was born blind, faces as she grows up.
“We really like to have a vision-impaired speaker because it gives an insight into their life and the challenges they face,” Ms Burns said.
The luncheon starts at 11.30am.
This year, the master of ceremonies will be NBN news reader Natasha Beyersdorf.
Tickets are $80 each and include canapes, a two-course meal and a glass of champagne on arrival.
Phone Lisa Helmes on 0425 248 425 to book.