PRESS RELEASE

The Royal Association for Deaf people (RAD) has been nominated for Sainsbury’s Local Charity of the Year.

Being Deaf can be extremely isolating; everyday tasks can be a challenge for Deaf people. RAD provides a wide variety of services for Deaf people in their first or preferred language which is usually British Sign Language (BSL).

Staff at the Sainsbury’s Stanway, Colchester store nominated three local charities including RAD.

Customers will now have the chance to choose which charity the store should support by voting either in-store or online.

The Sainsbury’s Local Charity of the Year scheme has raised more than £11 million since it began in 2009. You can find out more information on the scheme at https://about.sainsburys.co.uk/discover-more/our-stories/2017/hand-in-hand-with-local-charities.

CEO, Dr. Jan Sheldon said:

‘RAD has a long history in Colchester and we are proud that Sainsbury’s staff have recognised our work with the Deaf community.’

‘Sainsbury’s support would allow us to continue to engage with the general public to raise Deaf awareness and provide services to Deaf people in their preferred language.’

‘I’d like to personally encourage as many of you as possible to vote for us.’

You can cast your vote to support RAD either in-store or online.

To vote in-store, please visit the Stanway, Colchester store.

To vote online, please visit https://www.sainsburyslocalcharity.co.uk/, type Colchester into the Search Stores box, Select Stanway and Vote for Royal Association for Deaf people.

You have until 25^th June 2017 to cast your vote.

The Sainsbury’s Local Charity of the Year will be announced in July.

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