Vision Care for Homeless People has officially opened a new centre in Leeds, inviting Leeds Rhinos prop forward Anthony Mullally to cut the ribbon.
He spoke out about supporting vulnerable people in the community at St George’s Crypt in Leeds, where the centre is based.
Mullally said: ‘I believe that people in a fortunate position like myself have a responsibility to give more than we take. I don’t understand why, in this day and age, people are living on the street – it is something that has always bothered me. I was recently trekking in Peru and it gave me a lot of time to think about these things, and I want to make a difference myself. Leeds Rhinos has a policy of going out to the community – giving people an option in life is great.’
It was Vision Care for Homeless People’s eighth UK clinic, and will be run by local optometrists led by Caroline Clarke. Local laboratory Rawdon Optical has agreed to glaze the specs for all those who attend the clinic and need spectacles.
VCHP chair Elaine Styles said: ‘Homeless People do not prioritise eye care and often do not feel comfortable about going into a high street opticians. The sad reality is that 35% of people we see have a functional vision impairment without glasses, and we have seen power ranges from +17 to -20 Dioptres. There is so much that we can do to help people get their life back on track.’
