Vision Aid Overseas encourages the public to Go for Glasses

Vision Aid Overseas is encouraging the public and optical practices to get active this summer and raise money to ‘give the gift of glasses.’

The charity, which works to enable those living in poverty to access affordable glasses and eye care, aims to raise £10,000 through the summer challenge.

The Go for Glasses challenge asks participants to set their own virtual fundraising activity, distance and target. The challenge has been running throughout the summer and is open until 6 September.

Head of fundraising for Vision Aid Overseas, Amber Woodward-Brown, told OT: “The last 18 months have been challenging for lots of charities, but thanks to many valued supporters in the optical sector and wider communities we’ve been able to keep our life-changing work going throughout.

“Now that most of us have more freedom to get out and meet with friends and family, our Go for Glasses challenge is all about a step in the right direction - making an active decision to get fit, have fun, and reconnect with friends and family.”

As the fundraising activities can be entirely chosen by and tailored to participants, optical practices can create teams, encourage their communities to get involved, or take on an individual challenge.

“We are really excited about Go for Glasses, as it’s a chance for optical practices to open their doors and celebrate life slowly returning to normal, the chance to get active and get their community, colleagues and customers involved in giving something back this summer,” Woodward-Brown added.

One of the participants taking part in the fundraiser this year, Peter Rainford, has set himself a million-step challenge. He explained: "I was born with a complex visual impairment. Thanks to the NHS my vision has been improved by glasses since I was four and I am able to live a full and active life.

“Children in developing countries born with the same visual impairment as me are not so fortunate. I want to do something to help them have the same chance I had."