Ipswich Borough Council leader David Ellesmere joined volunteers in raising awareness of the challenges blind people face by walking through the town centre blindfolded.
The Lions Club of Ipswich organised the charity event to mark World Sight Day on Saturday when the town’s mayor Hamil Clarke joined Mr Ellesmere and other fundraisers for the challenge.
After meeting at the corner of St Matthews Street and Westgate Street, the group of six, each blindfolded and aided by a member of the Lions Club, used white walking canes to navigate their way through to NatWest Bank on Tavern Street.
They were tasked with withdrawing their funds from an ATM inside the branch before experiencing the difficulties of climbing down the bank’s stairs on the way out.
The walk finished at Tower Ramparts shopping centre.
Mr Ellesmere admitted it was particularly “nerve-wracking” exiting the bank.
“You don’t realise it but the steps have different widths,” he said, adding: “It was a fantastic appreciation of what other people have to go through.”
Margaret Conway, sight officer at The Lions Club of Ipswich, said: “The aim of the walk was to raise awareness of the difficulties that visually impaired and blind people face everyday.”
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