An appeal to donate old spectacles to help those in need has nearly hit 10,000 pairs, thanks to the efforts of a Sutton opticians.

Specsavers in the Idlewells Shopping Centre teamed up with Edwinstowe and The Dukeries Lions Club to support those with vision needs in the developing world, along with more local sight-related and eyecare projects.

Over the past year the partnership has resulted in members of the public donating more than 9,000 pairs of spectacles, which are then sent to the Lions Club to be sorted, recycled, and delivered to where they are most needed — to Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Nigeria, and Nepal, among others.

Specsavers Sutton store director Michael Hinder said: “In today’s environment, reusing or recycling is more important than ever, so we are delighted this initiative has been so successful. We are extremely grateful to everyone who has donated, but it would be brilliant if we could make it to 10,000 pairs in a final effort.

“The work that the Lions Club does to give these old spectacles a new lease of life is fantastic, especially as they rely on volunteers to manage much of the process.

“In recent years the store has sent colleagues to Ghana twice to deliver eyecare to those in need.”
Robert Crampton, president of Edwinstowe and The Dukeries Lions Club, added: “Rest assured nothing is wasted.

Materials from spectacles that are unsuitable for recycling are used to raise funds for the project and funds are also used to support other sight-related research and charitable projects around the world.”

Anyone who has a pair of old or unwanted spectacles can drop them off in store at Unit 37, Idlewells Shopping Centre, Sutton, where there is a designated collection bin.