Record gift for eye charity

Vision Aid Overseas (VAO), which has its headquarters in Manor Royal, received the glasses from the supermarket’s pharmacy chain.

It is the biggest single donation received by the charity in its 29 year history.

Jeremy Jalie, development director at VAO, was thrilled with the donation.

He said: “We are very lucky to have the support of Morrisons and their customers.

“The ready readers will be provided to people in developing countries who need spectacles for reading and close work due to their age.

“The ability to see close objects clearly enables many people to work for longer, earn more money for their families and escape disadvantage and poverty.

“This donation provides significant financial benefit as we would normally purchase reading glasses for around £1.20 each, so you can see how substantial this contribution is for us.

“We will be able to stock our Vision Centres in Zambia and Ethiopia with these glasses helping to save on manufacturing costs as well as with the Outreach projects.

“With such a huge number, this donation will last us between 12 to 18 months.”

The charity works in eight partner countries in Africa to develop eye care services by training eye care workers, establishing community based services and carrying out research into eye health.

For more information about its work go to www.visionaidoverseas.org or call 01293 535 016.