Specsavers push is a sight-saver

IT CAN cost as little as $25 to perform sight restoring surgery.

Specsavers optometrist Adam McDougall tests Mayor Col Meng’s eyes on National Eyecare Day. Picture: Contributed

IT CAN cost as little as $25 to perform sight restoring surgery.

So the $80,000 raised by Specsavers, with the help of Mackay residents will go a long way toward restoring the sight of people in remote parts of Australia and the Asia Pacific region.

"We're absolutely delighted with the amount of money we've managed to raise for The Fred Hollows Foundation," Mackay Canelands optometrist Adam McDougall said.

It was part of the Specsavers National Eyecare Day initiative, held from Saturday, August 27, to Wednesday, August 31; Specsavers stores around Australia donated $5 from every eye test to The Foundation.

Nationally, the Specsavers group has contributed to life-changing sight operations by raising $80,340 over five days for The Fred Hollows Foundation.

"More than 16,000 people around the country dropped into Specsavers stores to have their eyes checked and support the cause, and we had a great response in Mackay Canelands," Mr McDougall said.

"The community has really got behind the new partnership between Specsavers and The Foundation and the huge turnout for eye tests over the five-day period was a great testament to that.

"To make a difference to the lives of those suffering from avoidable blindness is very rewarding and we're thrilled that so many people in the community got involved."

The Specsavers initiative aims to raise half-a-million dollars over three years for The Fred Hollows Foundation.

The funds raised on Specsavers National Eyecare Day will go towards helping improve eye health for remote indigenous communities in the Northern Territory, western New South Wales and in countries across the Asia Pacific where The Fred Hollows Foundation works.

"The donations raised by the Specsavers stores around Australia will have a significant impact on the work The Foundation carries out," Fred Hollows Foundation founding director Gabi Hollows said.

"We're extremely grateful for the funds raised, which will help us restore sight in Australia and the Asia Pacific region."

Originally published as Specsavers push is a sight-saver