THOUSANDS of used glasses have helped people in underdeveloped countries improve their sight, thanks to Rotary Club of Alloway.

The club have been hailed for their amazing work for years in partnership with NHS Ayrshire and Arran.

Fundraising activities of the club include a Spiral Well in the foyer of Ayr Hospital which has been in place since 2016.

For the last five years, they have been working with the eye clinic at the hospital and also now with specialist medics at Crosshouse Hospital to gather donations of unwanted eyewear.

The Spiral Well has helped raise nearly £3,000 in donations from patients and visitors, and the funds have been used to purchase paediatric insulin pumps. Further donations from rotarians bringing the total to £5,000.

Chiefs at the health board have praised the generous Rotarians for their fundraising efforts.

Director of acute services, Joanne Edwards added, “The fundraising efforts by the Rotary Club of Alloway has had tremendous results with all the proceed going towards patient care services at University Hospital Ayr. The Spiral Well continues to receive the very generous and much appreciated support of patients and visitors to the hospital. On behalf of NHS Ayrshire & Arran, I would like to thank the Rotary Club for their support.”

Rotarians have stressed the importance of the spectacles that are sent out to those who have limited access to eye clinics in other countries round the world.

Some have to travel for miles on foot to access the spectacles and the donations are ‘transforming lives.’

Rotary Club of Alloway President, Campbell Johnston said, “The support of both eye clinics has been tremendous. Over the years the Rotary Club has received more than 6,000 pairs of spectacles. The spectacles are sent to underdeveloped countries where qualified volunteer optometrists then provide glasses to those in need.

“People travel many, many miles on foot just to receive a pair of spectacles that we no longer need. The unwanted spectacles are transforming other people’s lives. We hope that patients at University Hospitals Ayr and Crosshouse will continue their long established support, which is very much appreciated.”