Used spectacles will be refurbished and sent to developing nations
Late last year, Christ The King Anglican Church asked their Congregation and the local Portuguese Community in the town of Almancil a simple question: “RUA Spec–Saver?”
The answer has been a resounding yes and so far, the collection points at Christ The King Anglican Church, the offices of the Junta de Freguesia de Almancil, ASCA (Associação Social e Cultural de Almancil) and São Brás de Alportel have received a staggering 400 pairs.
These used and no longer needed spectacles are now being sent back to the UK to Lions Clubs International to be refurbished and repurposed for developing nations around the world including Africa, India and Eastern Europe.
Speaking at the handover of the boxes of spectacles to Algarve Express in Almancil, Jane Caulfield-Kerney, charity and fundraising officer for Christ The King Anglican Church, said: “A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to this appeal, both in the expat and local Portuguese community. A special word of thanks goes to our friends at Algarve Express who have very kindly offered to transport the spectacles back to the Lions in the UK.
“However, this is just the start – the work goes on, so everyone please check the back of your shelves and drawers for those specs that are no longer of any use to you, because for someone, somewhere, this will mean a huge difference, and those of us who wear spectacles know how wonderful the gift of sight truly is.”
For collection points, contact 932 841 943 or email [email protected] | www.ctk.pt
