Sightsavers

GIVING THE GIFT OF SIGHT

Optical Express launched a long-term commitment and partnership with the international NGO Sightsavers in 2017.

We pledged to make a donation for each lens surgery booked between World Sight Day on 12th October and the end of November in 2017. All funds were donated to Sightsavers, which works in developing countries to help support children and adults with visual impairments.

Mary-Frances Kelly, Head of Marketing presented the charity with a cheque on behalf of Optical Express at 200 St Vincent Street, Glasgow.

Mary-Frances said: “A donation of £30, in real terms, is what it costs Sightsavers to perform life-changing cataract surgery in developing countries across the world.

“We’re delighted that through this initial fundraising initiative we have raised over £14,651 and will be able to give the gift of sight to hundreds of people.”

Ed Hennessy, Corporate Relationships Manager at Sightsavers said: “We’re thrilled to have been able to work with Optical Express and raise such a substantial donation. This will really make a difference to so many people’s lives and we’re looking forward to continuing working with them over the next year.”

There are 36 million blind people in the world, but 75per cent of blindness can be cured or prevented, meaning that there are 31.2 million people who are blind when they needn't be and can be helped by a simple operation.

Sightsavers works tirelessly to eliminate avoidable blindness and promote the rights of people with disabilities in more than 30 countries around the world. It treats and prevents a range of eye conditions, including cataracts, refractive error and neglected tropical diseases.

Optical Express continues to support Sightsavers’ vision of a world where no one is blind from avoidable causes and where people with disabilities participate equally in society.