Collection boxes are being introduced in the eye departments at Hinchingbrooke and Peterborough City Hospitals as part of the "Specs for Africa" campaign.

Peter and Anne Corder, from Stamford, began the "Specs for Africa" campaign after they travelled round East and South Africa, and found many people in need of glasses.

They decided, along with a team of volunteers, to start donating pre-loved specs to communities in Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

Now, the donations are being extended across all hospitals in the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust.

Boxes are now being introduced in the eye departments of Hinchingbrooke and Peterborough City Hospitals to collect any old or worn glasses.

Donors can drop off their glasses, whether they're adult's or children's, in their local hospital.

From there, they'll be processed, cleaned and repackaged in microfibre pouches and delivered to Africa.

The Hunts Post: The glasses have helped many communities across Africa.The glasses have helped many communities across Africa. (Image: Specs for Africa)

Anne Corder said: "During one trip, we took out old reading spectacles to see if they would be of any benefit to local people with sight challenges living in rural communities.

"The glasses were transformational - enabling people to read, do close-up work and resume normal live - things we take for granted here in the UK."

Steve Joy, North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust divisional operations manager for ophthalmology and OMFS (oral and maxillofacial surgery) said: “This is a fantastic and very hear-warming initiative, and one which we are happy to encourage our staff, patients and visitors to support if they can.

“We are in the fortunate position within our hospitals to provide excellent eye health care to local people and applaud any scheme that can help improve the lives of those who cannot easily access services of their own.”

Peter added: “When your eyesight deteriorates in rural Africa, there are no high street opticians. Most people simply accept the inevitable, but all that is changing thanks for the many local people who have donated their pre-loved specs.

To find out more about "Specs for Africa", you can email: specsforafrica@outlook.com or check them out on Instagram at: @specs_for_africa

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