VCHP: Looking out for the homeless

There was a striking dichotomy between the venue for this year’s Vision Care for Homeless People (VCHP) fundraising dinner and the societal problems it tackled – but this was a cause worthy of the grandest forum.

The dinner, funded by Dame Mary Perkins, was held in the dining rooms of Mayfair’s private Lansdowne Club. Since registering in 2003, the charity has tested 13,000 homeless people’s eyes at volunteer clinics across the country.

Passionate speakers, including volunteer, photographer and optometrist Shine Gonzalvez, resulted in volunteers, trustees and supporters raising £4,000 during the evening.

Actor Ben Miles welcomed guests, while Syed Kamall, MEP for London, also expressed his support for the charity.