SPECTACLE COLLECTIONS

 What do people do with their old unwanted spectacles?

• Some re-cycle them.

• Some give them to charity shops.

• Some give them back to the opticians.

• Some just keep them in the drawer.

• Some just throw them away.

• We can use them to help others to see properly again.

Can you remember the last time you were looking for your old glasses because you had broken or mislaid your regular spectacles?  What a relief it was to find that old pair that helps you to go about your daily routine.  What would you do if the cost of your spectacles were more than a months wages?  I suppose we would put up with what we could see.

Your old spectacles can help so many people in developing countries to become useful members of their communities once again, instead of being a burden to their families and communities.  They can help a person to see again to operate sewing machines, or to manufacture delicate objects etc in order to make a living for themselves and their families.

Leyland and Cuerden Valley Lions have distributed a number of collection bins around opticians in the South Ribble area so that you may donate your old specs  These are then shipped free of charge by Parcel Force to Chichester Lions Club. The spectacles are processed by Chichester Lions club members and other volunteers in their workshop. They use their considerable experience to select the items that are suitable for recycling and to sort them in preparation for onward transmission to Medico France in Le Havre. Medico France have the necessary equipment to clean and grade the spectacles ready for use in eye camps in Africa, India and Eastern Europe.