Over 2,000 schoolchildren from two schools in Africa have benefitted from funds raised by Essilor and independent optician delegates during the company’s Innovation Conference in Birmingham last month.
As part of a programme by Our Children’s Vision, funds were raised to help provide eye care services to these schools for the first time. Delegates were invited to pledge support for the initiative via a raffle, silent auction and by donating, with all proceeds matched by Essilor.
‘We’re delighted to get behind such a worthy cause and to support these children, said Essilor corporate social responsibility director, Nigel Corbett.
‘All of the children will have a vision test and will be equipped with spectacles if required. Pupils needing specific treatment will be referred to a medical centre for further investigation. Actions such as this are a fundamental component of our group mission of improving lives by improving sight.’
A spokesperson for Vision Aid Overseas, which coordinates Children’s Vision programme in the UK said: ‘Our Children’s Vision has already reached 18 million children with eye care services, and through the support of programmes like this, we can reach out to many more.’