Last updated 11:35, Friday, 09 May 2008

SELLAFIELD Ltd has pledged £500 to help support Deaf Awareness Week 2008.

Three events have been set up including one at Age Concern in Whitehaven today involving the West Cumbria Society for the Blind, West Cumbria Carers Association and Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service.

Stalls providing information and advice on managing and coping with hearing loss and the availability of services will be on display.

Leaflets detailing specific services including social work with deaf people, technical equipment services, befriending services, deaf children’s projects and deaf awareness training programmes will also be given out.

The money from Sellafield will go towards covering the costs of hiring a marquee, equipment, leaflets and the production of banners.

Sellafield’s external affairs officer Cheryl Ireland said: “I hope that the money Sellafield has pledged will help promote the positive aspects of deafness and help raise awareness of the range of support that is available for deaf people and their family and friends.”

Held every year, national Deaf Awareness Week is promoted by the UK Council on Deafness.

The aim is to raise awareness of the existence of deaf people and their unique needs and aspirations.