Call to donate used glasses and sunglasses for those in need

By Patrick Morrow

Dec 8, 2022

**Glasses wanted:** Specsavers Shepparton Marketplace is asking the public to donate second-hand glasses to help communities in need across Australia. Photo by Holly Curtis

Specsavers Shepparton Marketplace is asking the public to donate second-hand glasses to help communities in need across Australia.

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The business is hopeful of donating 200,000 pairs of glasses, which if placed in a line would see them stretch from Shepparton to Waranga Basin in Rushworth.

Retail partner of Specsavers Shepparton Marketplace Fiona Jackson urged people to embrace the Christmas spirit of giving.

“We’d love to see more people donating their old specs in store so they can benefit people in need,” Ms Jackson said.

This is part of Specsavers Australia’s partnership with Lions Club Australia, ‘Lions Recycle for Sight’, which sees glasses and sunglasses being delivered to people who are suffering from eye diseases including short- and far-sightedness, glaucoma and cataracts.

Over the past four years, Specsavers Australia has donated over 700,000 pairs of glasses to Lions Recycle for Sight, with a goal of 400,000 pairs to be donated by the end of 2022.

All the donations will go towards their goal of over one million pairs of glasses donated since their partnership began five years ago.

A YouGov 2022 research survey showed almost of one in five people, the equivalent of 3.5 million Australians, were purchasing a new pair of opticals or sunglasses in 2022.

With the rise of buying new glasses, it is recommended by Specsavers to donate older glasses to the cause.

“We’ve loved being able to directly work with the community in helping them to recycle their older pairs of glasses,” Ms Jackson said.

To donate any glasses, visit Specsavers Shepparton Marketplace, 110 Benalla Rd, Shepparton, or visit https://www.specsavers.com.au/stores for more information.