Banbridge Lions Club is thanking local customers for their support as donations of unwanted spectacles continue through participating Gordons Chemists stores.
The ongoing collection gives people a simple way to pass on glasses they no longer use, helping support access to suitable eyewear for communities overseas where eye care can be difficult to obtain.
Customers have been leaving their old spectacles in dedicated collection bins in-store. Banbridge Lions Club collects the donations for onward processing through the ‘Lions Spectacle Recycling Programme.’
Lions Club member Marie Wilson said: “We’re grateful to Gordons Chemists for providing collection points, and to everyone who has donated their unwanted spectacles. These partnerships make it easy for people to support the appeal and help us collect more glasses for communities around the world where access to eye care is limited.
“If you have glasses you no longer use, please consider dropping them into a collection bin at a participating store.”
Donated glasses are sorted, cleaned and assessed, with suitable pairs prepared for distribution through humanitarian projects. The initiative also helps reduce waste by giving usable spectacles a second life.
Richard Allen, Marketing Manager, Gordons Chemists, said: “We’re delighted to support this initiative, and the response from our customers donating their old spectacles in-store has been wonderful. It’s encouraging to know that something sitting unused in a drawer could help someone else see more clearly.
“Congratulations to Banbridge Lions Club for continuing to lead this important work and thank you to everyone who has donated.”
The appeal remains open, with collection bins available at participating Gordons Chemists stores in Rathfriland, Newry, Banbridge, Craigavon and Lurgan.
Donations can include prescription glasses, reading glasses, prescription sunglasses and children’s spectacles. Customers with questions about other eyewear or cases should speak to the team at their participating store.
Better access to suitable glasses can support children’s learning, help adults with work and everyday tasks, and enable older people to maintain their independence.
Banbridge Lions Club is encouraging anyone with unwanted spectacles at home to consider donating them during their next visit to a participating store.
