WESTBURY Lions are reminding local people not to throw away their unwanted glasses as they can be recycled and used abroad.
The Lions have been working with international charity Sightsavers since 1972 and so far have raised £116,000 towards the appeal.
The scheme sends recycled glasses to many countries around the world including Chile where children working in the salt mines benefit from donated pairs of sunglasses. They also send spectacles to countries like Africa and India where they can be used in educational settings.
Westbury Lions joined the appeal in the 1980s and have collection boxes in locations across the town.
Westbury Lion Karen Hopkins said, “We have been supporting Sighsavers for many years but many people, especially those who have recently moved to the town, do not know that they can recycle their glasses.
“There are collection points at the Lions Bookshop on Warminster Road and at the White Horse Health Centre and we will take any pair of glasses you have! You don’t need to worry if they are broken or old or perhaps not considered fashionable anymore, every part of the pair of glasses is used and nothing is wasted. No donations are wasted, with any glasses deemed unsuitable being used in other charitable ways.
“We would like to say a huge thank you for all the donations that we have received over the years. But please do still keep handing them over – the more we collect, the more help can be given to support those with sight-related problems.
“One of our Lions, David Firth, will be travelling to India to see how your donations have helped those who have had their sight restored, saved or protected.”
To find out more about the charity visit www. sightsavers.org or www. westburylions.org.uk
