RNIB gets ‘izzy-wizzy’ to celebrate Sooty’s 75th anniversary in Yorkshire & the Humber

Sooty, the loveable bear and national treasure, has been a feature on RNIB’s collection boxes for over fifty years. The funds raised during this time have been millions, enabling the charity to support people with sight loss in Yorkshire & the Humber.

Continuing the momentum of Sooty’s 75th anniversary*, RNIB has updated the Sooty boxes to reflect the 21st century. The sleek design includes brighter colours and a QR code that allows people to make a cashless donation by using their mobile phone to scan the code, which then leads donors to a donation page on their device’s browser. Supporters can choose any amount they would like to donate as well as registering for Gift Aid.

Since 1955, Sooty has entertained generations of children through stage shows and TV. Sooty was famously discovered by Harry Corbett and has since been performed by Matthew Corbett, and now, Richard Cadell, with the catchphrase “izzy whizzy, let’s get bizzy” Sooty has been a lifelong friend to many.

Gerry Allen from Sowerby in North Yorkshire has been an RNIB Sooty Box Volunteer for over twenty years and says: “I’ve enjoyed emptying the sooty boxes for over twenty years and the generosity of people in North Yorkshire never ceases to amaze me, they have helped me raise over £750,000 to date. It’s a wonderful thing to do and it is great meeting new people. As I strive to meet my new target of raising one million pounds, I’d like to thank the people in Yorkshire who continue to be kind and generous with their donations. Volunteering is a worthwhile and rewarding experience.”

Richard Cadell, actor and screenwriter, who is best known for being the in-vision presenter and the hand of puppet Sooty, said: “Sooty is a lifelong friend of RNIB and continues to raise vital funds every year to support blind and partially sighted people. Sooty and I are thrilled to see the next generation of Sooty Boxes continue the journey of raising awareness of such a worthy cause.”

RNIB is calling people in Yorkshire & the Humber to join the community of incredible volunteer Sooty Box Collectors to help find a home for Sooty and raise funds for blind and partially sighted people. For more information, please visit: www.rnib.org.uk/sooty.

Neil Grainey, Senior Stewardship Manager, said: “RNIB is incredibly lucky to have a network of amazing volunteers across the UK who dedicate their time to place our iconic Sooty Boxes in their local community. We’re thrilled to begin finding homes for our fantastic new Sooty Boxes, as well as being able to offer our supporters the option to make a cashless donation too.”