A GROUP of young people from Droitwich have been raising money for the Snoezelan Centre in Worcester with a sponsored eating challenge.

The youngsters, who are all members of Droitwich Action for Future Youth (DAFFY) came up with the idea after taking part in a project aimed at raising awareness of difficulties faced by people with visual impairments.

As part of the project DAFFY members explored the impact of visual impairments on everyday tasks by trying on a number of different adapted goggles that mimicked the effects of various eyesight conditions, before attempting to take part in everyday activities like moving around obstacles and making a drink.

For the finale of the project the young DAFFY members had the bright idea of raising money while they took on a meal challenge, where they experienced what it was like to travel, navigate round 'real' obstacles and eat whilst wearing their goggles.

Sarah Cage, youth co-ordinator for DAFFY, said: “The young people learnt a great deal through the project. Many young people said they didn't realise how difficult it was to do things without their sight, how they now have a greater respect for people with visual impairments and how they can help if they need to. It was a great success.”

Altogether the group managed to raise £129 for Snoezelan Worcester, which offers multi-sensory and creative activities for people with a diverse range of needs.