Look to the future in Ethiopia campaign begins!

Dollond & Aitchison is pleased to announce that it will be working closely with Vision Aid Overseas (VAO) over the coming months on a new venture. From 1st October, D&A branches across the UK will start fundraising activities aiming to raise £50,000 to improve eyecare in Ethiopia, as well as raising the charity’s profile with consumers and the industry.

The ‘Look to the Future in Ethiopia’ campaign will fill a desperate need for optical care in a country of 70 million people with virtually no optometrists. D&A will work with VAO to develop a new optometry department at the Menelik II Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s main hospital. Current facilities at the Menelik II hospital are extremely run down and poorly equipped with only one optometrist to help those in need of optical advice and treatment.

With D&A’s help, VAO will be creating a centre of excellence where patients can be guaranteed a high level of care with access to eye examinations and a pair of glasses.

During the week of 27th October, D&A will be running a dedicated ‘Look to the Future in Ethiopia’ fundraising week in all 400 branches, involving a number of in-branch competitions and events.

D&A’s Chief Executive, Andy Ferguson, comments: “D&A cares passionately about eye health and puts a lot of effort into fundraising. During the next six months we are raising funds for the Look to the Future in Ethiopia campaign with Vision Aid Overseas, a very worthy cause, and we hope that we can make a difference to the people who need it most.”

Tym Marsh, Director of VAO says: “VAO is determined to expand its work in the developing world and bring the benefits of optometry to many more needy patients. We will be tackling the problem of uncorrected refractive error from all directions, not just by supplying spectacles but by training local health workers, supplying equipment and providing advice and encouragement. This is a big job but with the help of partners like D&A, we will succeed.”

Everyone can make a real difference to this project by joining in the fundraising at our local D&A branches.

To find your local D&A branch call 0800 052 8000