A Burnham-On-Sea opticians has collected thousands of pairs of unwanted specs to help fund eyecare in the developing world – and it is appealing for more.
Thanks to the generosity of local spectacle wearers, Specsavers in Burnham High Street has already donated thousand of old glasses to Vision Aid Overseas. Once the specs have been donated, they are then recycled.
“We’re very grateful to everyone that has donated their unwanted specs, it’s helped make a difference to the lives of those who don’t have access to free eyecare,” the store’s director Rama Venkat told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
“The work VAO does is ongoing and they continue to need funds to help with the vital support they provide.”
“Most people who wear specs will have old pairs lying around the house from when their prescription is updated so please do come and drop them off at the collection point in-store.”
As part of the store’s ongoing support for VAO, they have also previously donated a Humphrey Visual Field Analyser to the charity.”
“This is used as part of the pre-screening process and tests a patient’s peripheral vision, which can help detect eye conditions such as glaucoma.
Vision Aid Overseas is dedicated to fighting poverty by transforming access to eyecare in developing countries and raises money by selling the materials recycled from old glasses.
The process is environmentally friendly and enables the charity to fund its overseas projects.
To find out more or drop off a pair of glasses, pop into Specsavers at 3 High Street in Burnham-On-Sea.
Pictured: The Burnham-On-Sea staff members Leah Reading and Zoe Counsell with some of the glasses donated
