Local activities / news/ events
Optometry Giving Sight gains Power
Optometry Giving Sight is delighted to announce that Donna Power has joined the organization as its new UK Country Manager. Donna will be based at the London office of the AOP from 1 February. Many opticians and optometrists around the UK will know Donna from her previous roles as National Sales Manager for Rodenstock and Sales Manager for Caseco.
“I am privileged to be developing Optometry Giving Sight in the UK. There is so much potential to grow the support base to help generate capital towards global sustainable projects that truly make a difference”, commented Donna. “I'm looking forward to working with all supporters to make it happen.”
Donna will be supported in her efforts by the National Committee of Optometry Giving Sight in the UK. The Committee is chaired by Bob Chappell, Immediate Past President of the World Council of Optometry, and members includes Bob Hughes, CEO of the AOP and John Bines, Director of Funding and Marketing at Sightsavers International.
“Donna joins us as at a critical time, both for Optometry Giving Sight and the international eye care community, when in the aftermath of the disastrous earthquake, we will be working to support the vision care needs of the people of Haiti”, said Bob Chappell. “Looking back, we would also like to thank previous UK Country Manager, Louise Walpole, for the great contribution she made. Louise will continue to be an advocate for our cause in her new role as OT Manager.”
Glitz, Glamour and Glasses
To celebrate the World Sight Day Challenge, St Annes practice Cottam and Glaister held a special preview event of their 2010 range of designer glasses. Staff, patients and the local community gathered for the evening event which featured sunglasses and spectacle frames from famed design houses such as Gucci, Armani and Dior.
Adding further glamour to the occasion was a visit from Hollyoaks star, Sonny Flood, who plays troubled youth Josh Ashworth in the series. Sonny was happy to support such a great cause. Cottam and Glaister made a donation for every eye examination carried out and for every frame purchased on the night – as well as a raffle throughout October to top off their fantastic fundraising efforts.
For more World Sight Day Challenge stories, click here.
Great Results at the Great Run
Optometry Giving Sight supporters joined the 21,000 runners participating in this year’s Great South Run in Portsmouth. Ella Power, solicitor for the Association of Optometrists, raised £1,000 for her efforts in the challenging 10 mile road race. Also pounding the pavement to help raise funds was CIBA VISION Managing Director, Roger Lopez who managed to equal Ella’s fantastic result raising £1,000 as well. Roger and Ella are delighted with their results and would like to thank everyone who sponsored them.
The Association of Optometrist’s first student “Eye Opener” conference was held in Skegness this month and included fundraising activities for Optometry Giving Sight. Delegates were invited to donate £2.50 to design and make their own mask to compete in a mask competition at the evening dinner. Maui Jim donated sunglasses as prizes for the two lucky winners, Keiran Loft and Nicola Roper, and the evening was a great success.
