Registrations will soon close for Sight Matters’ annual Coast to Coast Walk.

The walk is being held this Sunday, but anyone hoping to participate has until tomorrow (Friday) to sign up.

The deadline has been extended due to last week’s long bank holiday.

Sight Matters is the new name for the Manx Blind Welfare Society, which was established in 1936 and looks after the interests of more than 500 people with serious sight loss on the Isle of Man.

This year’s route is again from Douglas to Peel via the Heritage Trail, with an alternative shorter walk starting at St John’s.

It is about 12 miles long and starts at 1.30pm with check-in from 12 noon at the NSC.

Check-in for the shorter three-mile route will open at 2,45pm at St John’s School car park, with walkers anticipated to set off at 3.30pm.

The walk will this year be sponsored by island-based online business directory Find Us On Web.

Debbie Thomson from the charity said of the sponsorship announcement: ’We’re delighted to welcome Find Us On Web as the 2021 Coast to Coast Walk sponsor.

’Its generous support means that every penny raised can go to our charity and help support blind and visually impaired people in the Isle of Man.

’There’s just a few days to go until the closing date on Friday, September 3.

’We’ve had hundreds of people register already and we’d welcome as many extra participants as possible to make the event bigger and better than ever - so sign up today!’

Santosh Mishra from Find Us On Web added: ’We jumped at the opportunity to support this popular community event.

It’s sure to be a great afternoon in the stunning Manx countryside enjoying fresh air and exercise, and also a lovely social way to support the island’s blind and visually impaired community.

’We wish all the participants a super time!’

The walk is aiming to raise money for the charity, which also recently announced its plans to make facilities available for candidates to record copies of their manifestos ahead of the House of Keys general election in September.

The hope is that the spoken versions of manifestos will aid visually impaired voters in the island who cannot read print.

Some blind and partially-sighted people have complained they were being excluded from the election.

As the Manx Independent recently reported, officials from the Crown and Elections Office have said that tactile voting devices would be available at polling stations, with returning officers also on hand to assist those who need help.

But this will not help visually impaired voters to peruse candidates’ policy proposals beforehand.

Sight Matters is therefore offering candidates use of a recording studio at its base at Corrin Court in Onchan.

A spokesperson said the charity had already had several candidates take advantage of the opportunity, and it was making the alternative format available to help users and that copies would also be provided to Manx Radio.

More information on the charity’s Coast to Coast Walk can be found at: www.mbws.org.im/vision-awareness-week/coast-to-coast/