One common thread connecting all Lions is a commitment to improving the lives of those who are blind or visually impaired. It began in 1925 when the activist Helen Keller (who became deaf and blind at 19 months of age) inspired Lions to champion the cause.
Since then, Lions Club International Foundation has helped globally to restore the sight of over 30 million people, invested in eye care services, and trained thousands of medical specialists.
Since 1967, over 300,000 pairs of spectacles are recycled every year. Local collections are sent to a central collection hub in Birmingham. They are then sent to the Médico France facility in Le Havre, where they are cleaned calibrated and repacked ready for shipment. Finally, they are shipped to a network of health professionals, eye clinics and dispensaries, as well as other Lions clubs around the world, to benefit adults and children in need of glasses to be able to read, study and live their lives.
Retford Lions collect spectacles from opticians and local organisations. Small collections can be collected by messaging through the Retford Lions Club Facebook page.
Their President Stan Foster has been out and about in Retford recently. He attended the dedication of the memorial to all the casualties of the COVID crisis, which was installed at Babworth Crematorium. He was among the many dignitaries who attended the 100th anniversary of the British Legion held at the Bassetlaw Museum.
