The UK's first braille advent calendar for the visually impaired has arrived.
The calendar developed by Advent of Change with the aim of being "as inclusive as possible," isn't just any old version either, it is a reverse advent, which is all about giving back to charity.
The not-for-profit calendar retails at £29.95 and explains each day where the money you paid to purchase it has gone and how it will help others, instead of receiving a chocolate.
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It was first launched in a text version by 27-year old Kristina Salceanu from Warwickshire, the founder of Advent of Change, for Christmas 2018 with plenty of celebrity endorsement, but this year has been launched in braille too.
Kristina felt that the blind community needn't be excluded from discovering where their donation had gone each day, if they wished to purchase the product.
It has been designed in a specially adapted flip back format in conjunction with the Royal National Institute of Blind People, that has provided the braille translation.
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Not only is the calendar for the visually impaired much-needed and no doubt long-awaited, it is such a heart-warming idea to give back at Christmas, a time when so much food is wasted and millions of pounds is spent on presents.
The accessible calendar is completely not-for-profit and £1 per day goes to a different worthy cause, from helping the homeless, to protecting our oceans and endangered animals.
After turning the page ready for the next day, there will be a tab on the right-hand side to pull which will tear open the door to reveal embossing beneath, explaining the donation.
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Last year, the original version raised £100,000 for its 24 chosen charities, becoming a best-seller for John Lewis and even received an award from the Prime Minister in recognition of outstanding contribution to charitable causes.
It is easy to see why it gained so much recognition, we are going to be first in line this December.
This year, Advent Of Change has tripled the number of charities it will be supporting as well as quadrupling its range of products, including this braille version and one for kids and aims to raise £250,000 for its 72 selected charities.
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Some of the charities supported include the Royal National Institute of Blind People, Teenage Cancer Trust, The Willow Foundation and The Rainbow Trust.
Kristina said, "Advent of Change is, and always will be, a not-for-profit enterprise designed to encourage people to give a little something back, so it's important to us that we are always as inclusive as possible.
"When developing the 2019 range, I realised there was a group of people who were not able to enjoy our products at all, and so we began developing the Braille edition so nobody need be excluded from discovering where their donation has gone each day, and knowing the difference they have made.
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"It quickly came to light that there were no other braille advent calendars on the market, which was a huge surprise, and made it even more important that we were able to bring this to life for the blind community.
"Creating a brand-new product is difficult however, and that's why we're so grateful to have had the support and expertise of the RNIB - together, I hope we've created a product which will make a real positive difference."
Matt Stringer, CEO of RNIB, added: "We're delighted to be working with Advent of Change on their fantastic advent calendar."
"As the UK's leading sight loss charity, our focus is on creating a society without barriers for blind and partially sighted people.
"The innovative advent calendar is an ideal gift for friends and family this Christmas while supporting 24 incredible charities to make positive changes to people's lives and society."
The pioneering advent calendar will be available online at Advent of Change and John Lewis.
Featured Image Credit: UnsplashTopics: Christmas, Life News, Life