Cheryl Baker launches charity collaboration
TV personality Cheryl Baker launched a new calendar for the British Wireless for the Blind Fund (BWBF) which features photographs by students from the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) at Rochester.
Five third-year BA (Hons) Photography: Contemporary Practice students, Georgette Freed, Rebecca Hallett, Julia Kahila, Amanda King and Victoria Widdowson, produced all 12 images for the Maidstone-based charity's first ever calendar as part of a live final-year project.
The collection of photographs, which aim to draw attention to the senses at various points of the year, were exhibited at a launch event in the Zandra Rhodes Gallery at UCA Rochester on 8 May.
Kent-based Cheryl Baker, who is patron of BWBF, said: "I think the collaboration between BWBF and UCA is absolutely fantastic.
"The senses for blind and partially sighted people are heightened and I think the students have done a brilliant job in trying to create images that you want to touch, taste, smell and listen to in their photographs.
"The project is great for the students, who will get their work in print and on-sale, but it's also a great opportunity for BWBF to raise money and make more people aware of the vital work it does nationwide."
BA (Hons) Photography: Contemporary Practice course leader, Caroline Scott, said: "The calendar collaboration has been a fantastic opportunity for our students. It's given them the real experience of dealing with a client, as well as encouraging them to convey the challenges that people who have impaired vision face, in their photographs.
"Working with a charity has definitely added an interesting dimension to the project - it was great to see the subject matter spark the interest and empathy of the students."
Frances Fielding, Fundraising Manager for British Wireless for the Blind Fund, said: "Working with the University has been a very productive and worthwhile experience and I which hope will be the foundation of a continuing relationship.
"The quality of the student's work and the thought that has gone into their images has really impressed me and I am proud to be launching our new calendar."
The British Wireless for the Blind Fund (BWBF) is a totally independent charity dedicated to providing specially adapted audio equipment on free loan for life to UK registered blind and partially sighted people, over the age of eight and resident in the UK, who are in need.
Calendars can be purchased through the web-site www.blind.org.uk for £6.
For more information contact:
David Reilly, Press Officer, UCA
T: 01252 892939
E: dreilly@ucreative.ac.uk
