Well-known optometrist and entrepreneur Imran Hakim (pictured) has pledged his support for the 2010 World Sight Day Challenge this October.

He will be joining other opticians and companies who are working with optical charities Optometry Giving Sight and Vision Aid Overseas, and his group of independent practices in the north west will be involved in the fundraising efforts.

Mr Hakim said: “I have always said that business quickly becomes a very lonely place if the sole motivation for your endeavours are financially driven. The money tends to be a great by-product of the journey, rather than the sole purpose.

“Almost every successful entrepreneur I’ve had the privilege of working with has a more fundamental reason for why they are in business that drives their passion for what they do. For me, it is the opportunity to make a genuine difference, to your employees, friends, family and the community that you serve as a whole. This is at the very heart of our business philosophy.”

The funds raised by Mr Hakim and other World Sight Day Challenge participants will help support programmes that provide sustainable vision care to an estimated 670 million people who are blind or vision impaired because they do not have access to an eye exam and a pair of spectacles.

The World Sight Day Challenge aims to enable the optical profession to help by donating £1 from every pair of spectacles or contact lens sold throughout October, and donating their eye exam fees on World Sight Day itself (October 14), or having a practice celebration in aid of the charitable cause.

“We are really thankful to have Imran’s support,” said Donna Power, country manager for Optometry Giving Sight.

“Every single practice that can support us makes a significant difference. The World Sight Day Challenge enables opticians to communicate the importance of vision care to their patients, whilst inviting them to support their efforts in helping others that do not have the opportunity to go to their local optician.”

Readers who want to get involved should go to Optometry
Giving Sight’s website, www.givingsight.org for more details, and those interested in global news of World Sight Day should visit to www.vision2020.org.

• Georgina Woolfrey, who has worked for several charities such as Barnardo’s, has joined Optometry Giving Sight as its UK sales and marketing assistant. A graduate in Language Studies, Ms Woolfrey will be based at the AOP’s London offices.

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