The Calibre Audio Library, which is based in Aylesbury, has been awarded a £30,000 grant by the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF). The library provides a subscription-free postal and internet service of audio books to people with sight problems, or other disabilities which prevent them reading print.
On Monday 31st October Steve Smirthwaite, from Haddenham, who is the Communications Officer for Bucks Freemasons visited the Library and presented a certificate to Liz Clarke, Head of Fund Raising and Marketing to mark this large donation by the MCF.
Also in attendance was Michael Brackley, who lives in Aylesbury and has been a member of the library for many years. Mike explained to Steve the pleasure that he, and the other members, get from the service provided by the library.
He said: "When I joined the library, the books were on cassettes and were awkward to handle. We now have CDs and memory sticks, which are so easy to use that I can listen to my books on my mini player, or headphones, without assistance from anyone else to set them up or play them for me.
"On behalf of all the members of the Audio Library I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the Freemasons for this most generous donation."
Liz added: "I would also like to add my thanks to the MCF for this grant. It will go a long way in helping the library to maintain its wonderful service, subscription free, for our 15,000 members and 80 book clubs throughout the UK."
In the picture:
(l to r) Steve Smirthwaite, Terry Squire (Trust Fundraiser), Michael Brackley and Liz Clarke