B+L becomes patron of Tall Ships Race

Contact lens manufacturer Bausch + Lomb (B+L) has agreed to become a patron of The Tall Ships Races 2011 in Waterford, Ireland which it said would be the country's biggest ever quayside festival.

Taking place from June 30-July 3, 70 tall ships are expected to form the centerpiece of a spectacle which will attract over 500,000 visitors over the four days. B+L is one of the city's biggest private sector employers with 1,100 employees and has had a contact lens manufacturing plant in the city for more than 30 years. The company's sponsorship is worth a total of €25,000 and details were announced at a meeting in Waterford between Frank O'Regan (middle), vice president of B+L's global operations vision care, Colum Honan (right), general manager of B+L Ireland and Des Whelan (left) chairman of the Tall Ships Races. In addition to becoming patrons, B+L plans to fund a number of trainees who will sail on a tall ship from Waterford to Greenock in Scotland. 'We are delighted that Bausch + Lomb has again stepped up to the mark to support an important Waterford project,' said Whelan. 'In addition to being a major economic asset to the region, Bausch + Lomb and its employees have always played a leading role in local initiatives.'