News — Specs Appeal

 

2,000 pairs of unwanted specs donated to VAO

Shoppers are being urged to donate their old, unwanted glasses to Vision Aid Overseas (VAO) which aims to improve the eye health of those less fortunate in the developing world.

The Specsavers Washington store based in Sainsbury’s at The Galleries has donated an estimated 2,000 pairs of specs since December with the help of the community.

The store which opened in December of last year sits in the Washington supermarket whilst the original store remains in The Galleries, allowing the opticians to open its doors to more customers.

Claire Elliott, store director at Specsavers Washington, says: ‘In Britain, we are used to having access to excellent eyecare on our high streets but many people in developing countries are not as lucky, so it’s important we do what we can to improve eye health there.

‘Our customers at the Sainsbury’s store have already helped us to donate a fantastic number of frames since the store opened. It would be fantastic to collect even more this year and a huge thank you to Chris and Elise who have really driven this project.’

Shoppers can get involved in the ongoing appeal by dropping their old frames into the store at Sainsbury’s at The Galleries, where they will find VAO collection boxes.

The glasses are recycled and the money raised is used to fund the charity’s work in developing countries. This includes giving people much needed eye tests and treatment, and training up local optometrists.

Visit Specsavers Washington at Sainsbury’s at The Galleries Washington Centre, call 0191 419 5460 or visit www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/washingtonsainsburys for more information.