A LOCAL opticians is helping to improve the sight of some of the poorest people in Africa.
For every pair of spectacles bought at Conlons Opticians one free pair will be donated to people in Ghana.
Conlons in Leigh is working in conjunction with Eye Aid Africa, a specialist charity set up by a team of medicial and eye care professionals to make a difference to eye care in some of the poorest areas of Ghana.
About 2.6 million people in West Africa are blind, but about three quarters could have their sight saved with the right medical help.
The provision of health care in Ghana is poor, compounded by an inability to pay for what little services are available.
Clare Raynes, branch manager at Conlons in Leigh, said: "This is the first ever promotion of its kind that helps both Conlons and our customers to support this important charity.
"The need for eye care spreads across all generations. Children simply cannot learn if they can't see the blackboard.
"The inability to read close up as we get older is simply corrected with glasses in this country. In Africa, access to optical services and cost prohibits many from being able to see clearly, if at all."
A group of Conlons staff are also travelling to Ghana this month taking 800 pairs (£10,000) of glasses that Conlons has also donated to Eye Aid Africa and optometrists will perform 1,000 eye tests.