In 2007, for the first time, we adopted a Charity of the Year to be the focus of our charitable and community support. The RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) was chosen after a ballot of staff members across the Society.

RNIB are the UK's leading charity offering information, support and advice to over two million people with sight loss. Their pioneering work helps anyone with a sight problem not just with braille and Talking Books, but with imaginative and practical solutions to everyday challenges.

To find out more about RNIB and the work they do please visit their website, www.rnib.org.uk

Our aim for the Charity of the Year programme is not just fundraising, although with around £100,000 raised for RNIB over the period we hope we've made a difference, but also to offer practical help where possible. Here are some of the headlines from our year with RNIB:

RNIB Rushton School Garden Project - the Rushton School is owned and run by RNIB, offering quality education for blind and partially-sighted children. Over several days, 36 staff transformed a small piece of unused grounds into a small haven for the children, including a sensory garden using scents and textures.

'Sightseeing' sponsored walk - members of staff took part in a blindfolded sponsored walk from Coventry Canal Basin to Hawkesbury Junction.

RNIB Loughborough College redecoration - we helped to redecorate common rooms at a residential centre used by blind and partially-sighted students at Loughborough.

'Tour de Branch' - Matt Mannings, one of our Sales Managers, undertook a gruelling five-day cycle ride between our 48 branches across the country, raising over £12,000 in the process.

Dragon Boat Challenge - involving a dozen teams from local companies, the Coventry organised a dragon boat regatta on the River Avon at Stratford, raising thousands more for RNIB.