OPTICIANS in West Devon are asking the people of Tavistock and Okehampton to join them in a nationwide effort to raise enough money to build an eye clinic in Zambia with Vision Aid Overseas.
Specsavers branches in the two towns will open on Sunday October 5 and have promised to contribute 10% of their takings towards a total pledge of £250,000.
Zambia in southern Africa has a population of 12 million people but no public eyecare provision and people walk for miles to attend a Vision Aid Overseas clinic in the hope of receiving glasses. The money raised by Specsavers will fund a new building that will include a laboratory, optical workshop and eyecare clinic, offering the valuable gift of sight to millions.
Okehampton co-store director Julia Pegg added: 'We have supported VAO for many years now, collecting and recycling countless pairs of used glasses and all our staff are proud to be part of something truly special,'
'We would encourage as many people as possible to join in on Sunday for this worthwhile cause.
'We would also like to urge anyone with any unwanted glasses to take time out to pop into the store and donate them to this project.'