Longford man embarks on 'eye-opening trip to Kolkata'

Keith visited the destitute city of Kolkata where he volunteered at the Hope Foundation Eye Clinic, for which Specsavers has committed to funding for three years, in a bid to provide basic eye health care to the impoverished community.

As well as tending to over 1,300 patients, Keith also visited local slum communities and toured the city at night with the mobile health bus treating those living on the poverty-stricken streets of Kolkata who were deemed too poorly to make the trip to the eye clinic.

“I am so grateful to have had the privilege of visiting Kolkata with The Hope Foundation and Specsavers,” said Keith.

“The poverty we witnessed whilst working in the city is remarkable.
“It was shocking to witness the destitute living conditions first hand so to be able to give those with so little the ability to see is an honour.

“It was so heart-warming to meet the thousands of patients we treated; I’d like to take a moment to thank all of those who have helped make this unforgettable journey possible, my colleagues, friends and our incredibly generous customers in Longford – you have all contributed to giving some special and deserving people the gift of sight.”

Meanwhile, at the end of the week-long volunteering trip, Specsavers Longford presented a cheque of €75,000 to founder of The Hope Foundation, Maureen Forrest.

This significant donation will play a vital role in sustaining the eye care clinic in Kolkata.

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