Vision Aid Overseas World Sight Day Campaign

With 90% of the world’s visually impaired people living in developing countries like Ghana, Sierra Leone, Zambia and Ethiopia, eye care charity Vision Aid Overseas (VAO) is calling on eye care practitioners across the UK to Make Vision Count this October by registering to support the Vision Aid Overseas World Sight Day Campaign 2017.

Sarah Namusobya, Fundraising Officer, VAO told us: “World Sight Day is the only International day of awareness and fundraising to focus global attention on blindness and vision impairment that effects a staggering 640 million people worldwide. This year, World Sight Day will take place on Thursday 12^th October and you can actively make a difference by joining thousands of people across the world to raise vital income to improve global health for all.”

Individuals, groups and companies can support the campaign as easily as by donating on the Vision Aid Overseas website; by donating for each pair of glasses sold or eye test carried, at Practices, in October; by selling Vision Aid Overseas World Sight Day raffle tickets or by joining the Vision Aid Overseas September Trek Fest team in the beautiful Peak District.

Tushar Majithia, Managing Director, Lunettes Opticians said: “Last year we took part in the Vision Aid Overseas World Sight Day Campaign by donating £2 for every eye test carried out at our Practice in October and by encouraging primary school students to donate their used glasses towards Vision Aid Overseas’ recycling scheme. Overall, we managed to raise a total of £892 in just one month! We feel that the campaign was a really good way of raising awareness and income to support the work of Vision Aid Overseas whilst also highlighting the importance of good vision care in the community.”

Sarah added, “this year we have made getting involved in the campaign really hassle free for people as we appreciate how busy it can get for everyone. Whether you choose to get involved by simply donating on our website or pledging to make a cash donation for every eye test carried out or spectacles sold in October at your Practice/s. Whatever way you may choose to support the campaign, just know you will be helping to restore sight to some of Africa’s poorest and most isolated people.”

Vision Aid Overseas is hoping to raise at least £15,000 which will enable the charity to provide practical training and skills sharing sessions to local eye care workers in Ghana, Ethiopia and Zambia. The eye care workers trained will then in return provide future eye care services and glasses to tens of thousands of children and adults who can’t see clearly simply because they need glasses. Children like Ellen Kasongo in Zambia, who until was prescribed with glasses struggled to use both eyes properly together as her right eye kept turning inwards.

To register to support the Vision Aid Overseas World Sight Day Campaign, visit https://www.visionaidoverseas.org/world-sight-day-register