Redruth Specsavers supports eyesight health of Africans

10:20am Friday 20th September 2013 in News

People in Africa are set to benefit from a 1,500 pairs of glasses donated from the community of Redruth.

The town’s Specsavers branch has been collecting customers’ used and unwanted glasses on behalf of global sight charity, Vision Aid Overseas.

The charity aims to fight poverty and help improve the quality of life of those disadvantaged by poor vision.

Specsavers Redruth is currently celebrating its tenth anniversary and to mark the occasion staff aimed to collect ten boxes of glasses to send to the charity.

To make it fun for customers to donate their specs, the collection boxes were wrapped up to look like presents. It proved so popular the store exceeded its target. All the collected glasses will now be recycled and the money raised will be used to fund the charity’s work in developing countries. This includes setting up vision centres, training healthcare workers and using the expertise of volunteers to give people eye examinations and treatments.

Jonathan Eva, store director of Specsavers Redruth, said: “As eyesight is something that naturally deteriorates people often discover that they cannot use their glasses anymore. We encourage all of our customers purchasing new glasses to donate their old pair so they can benefit people in countries where quality eyecare is not as readily available.

“Our customers have really embraced the scheme and it’s been brilliant to actually see the boxes of glasses sent to the charity.”

As well as collecting glasses, Specsavers stores nationwide have raised more than £250,000 to improve eyecare in Zambia. This has funded the building of vision centres and training facilities for optometrists and eyecare specialists in Kabawe, Mansa and Lusaka.