The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) are celebrating twice having gained top awards for their campaigning stand at both the Labour and Liberal Democrat conferences.
The stand, which was designed by Hartnell Creative Communications, was crowned "Stand that best gets its message across" at the Liberal Democrat conference, and won the coveted "Best stand - Delegates Choice" from Labour. The execution used the theme of an old haberdashery shop, and leaflets mimicking knitting patterns to put forward the message that "a stitch in time saves nine" to bring home the fact that if detected and treated early enough, fifty per cent of sight loss in the UK could be prevented.
Richard Hartnell, the designer of the stand said: "We ended up creating a script that used props to deliver key messages. For example, we used sample books of stitches to illustrate the difference in price between a cataract operation (£900) and the hip replacement operation which might be caused if a person's cataracts are left unchecked and they fall (£9,000). It's been great working with the RNIB team again this year, they've done an absolutely fantastic job of delivering the message using the props and the results speak for themselves."
Steve Winyard, Head of Campaigns at RNIB says: "We are delighted to have won at both conferences and to have gained so much recognition for our cause. The stand was visited by Nick Clegg and Ed Milliband as well as numerous other MPs and members of the shadow cabinet. Sight loss currently costs the UK economy more than £6bn per year, which could be cut dramatically if we spend now and save later, and it's important that politicians are aware of this issue."
ENDS
Photographs of the stand are available on request.
For more information please contact Jess Sweetman at RNIB's Media Relations Team on 020 7391 2223, email Jessica.sweetman@rnib.org.uk
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Notes to editors:
About RNIB
Every day around 100 people in the UK start to lose their sight. There are around 2 million people in the UK with sight problems. RNIB is the leading charity working in the UK offering practical support, advice and information for anyone with sight difficulties. If you, or someone you know, has a sight problem RNIB can help. Call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk