Monmouth recycled specs go overseas (From Free Press Series)

Monmouth recycled specs go overseas

9:30pm Thursday 14th February 2013 in News

A MONMOUTH opticians has collected thousands of pairs of old and unwanted glasses, which will be used to help people with poor eyesight in the developing world.

Specsavers on Monnow Street has collected more than 3,500 pairs of old glasses for international charity Vision Aid Overseas in just 12 months, beating its target of 3,000.

The glasses are recycled and the money raised will be used to give people badly-needed eye tests, treatment, and to train local optometrists.

Louise Harvey, director of Specsavers Monmouth, said: “It is thanks to these efforts that we can continue to help optical experts examine the eyes of people in the developing world and to train people in those countries in eyecare skills.”

Vision Aid Overseas is a charity which aims to transform access to eyecare services for people in developing countries by establishing vision centres, training healthcare workers, and utilising the expertise of volunteers to undertake outreach programmes in areas away from existing facilities.

Vision Aid Overseas director, Dr Natalie Briggs, says: “I am thrilled by the support we are receiving from Specsavers in Monmouth.

“We would like to encourage everyone to continue to help us by donating their old, unwanted glasses and handing them in to staff at the store.”