Specsavers has raised more than $1 million for The Fred Hollows Foundation in 2022, exceeding $5 million since both organisations formed their partnership in 2011.
On top of many other fundraising initiatives, 20 cents from each pair of glasses sold at participating Specsavers stores helps support the foundation, which is then used to help close the eye health gap for Indigenous Australians.
The eyecare provider also supports Fred Hollows through eye health equipment donations for Aboriginal health Services, and a skilled volunteering program offers Specsavers optometrists the opportunity to work in remote and under-serviced communities in Australia.
Additionally, Specsavers periodically releases limited edition frames, featuring artwork from renowned Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. They donate $25 from the sale of each pair to ensure First Nations Australians shave access to culturally appropriate eye care.
“We are extremely proud of this long-term partnership,” Fred Hollows CEO Mr Ian Wishart said.
“The funds generously donated by Specsavers go towards two areas of the foundation’s work: building a strong workforce of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the eye health sector and strengthening the capability and coverage of eye care around Australia. We would like to thank Specsavers for their incredible support of our work to restore sight.”
The partnership has been able to:
- Screen more than 100,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for eye conditions;
- Perform over 4,000 cataract surgeries;
- Treat over 7,000 people with diabetic retinopathy; and
- Provide more than 15,000 people with spectacles.
Specsavers ANZ general manager Mr Paul Bott said the Fred Hollows partnership enabled the company to help close the gap in vision loss between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians through the Indigenous Australia Program which provides much-needed care in regional and remote Australia.
“We are extremely grateful to the foundation for allowing us to be a part of this work,” he said.
Ms Duchesne Markham, senior stakeholder and professional communications manager for Specsavers ANZ, added: “We’re always looking for ways to support the foundation to raise extra funds in a way that seamlessly links in with the running of our business. For example, we hold internal sample sales, barbeques, competitions and auctions as well as automatic donations aligned with team member professional development tasks. Everything adds up.”
Mr Anri McHugh, Specsavers senior marketing manager, said he had passion and pride for the the limited edition frame project with the foundation and how it had grown.
“We look forward to bringing this launch to life the most. I am already excited for 2023,” he said.
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