Project sending pre-loved glasses to Africa

The Specs for Africa project says it has sent out about 3,000 pairs of glasses so far

A community project is collecting pre-loved spectacles to send to people in Africa.

Peter and Anne Corder set up the Specs for Africa project two years ago and have sent out about 3,000 pairs of specs so far.

The donated glasses project has made a difference to people’s lives in Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

The couple, who are from Stamford in Lincolnshire, have now extended the appeal for help to staff and patients using North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust’s ophthalmology services.

Branded collection boxes are being delivered to the eye departments at Peterborough City, Hinchingbrooke and Stamford & Rutland hospitals – where donors can drop off their pre-loved specs and sunglasses for both adults and children.

Ms Corder said: "During one trip we took out old reading spectacles to see if they would be of any benefit to local people with sight challenges living in rural communities.

"The glasses were transformational. These are things that we take for granted here in the UK."

Mr Corder said access to opticians was limited in some rural areas he had visited

Mr Corder added: "When your eyesight deteriorates in rural Africa, there are no high street opticians.

"Most people simply accept the inevitable, but all that is changing thanks for the many local people who have donated their pre-loved specs."

Steve Joy, from North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust (NWAFT), said: "This is a fantastic and very heartwarming initiative.

"We are in the fortunate position within our hospitals to provide excellent eye health care to local people and applaud any scheme that can help improve the lives of those who cannot easily access services of their own."

Staff and patients can drop off their glasses and sunglasses in the collecting boxes at their nearest hospital.