World Sight Day garden party raises vital funds to prevent blindness

To mark World Sight Day (14^th October), Cambridge-based CBM volunteers Gill and Peter Godber held a garden party, raising vital funds to prevent blindness in the world’s poorest places.

Over 40 people attended the ‘Together’ event, which raised over £600 as well as raising awareness about avoidable blindness and CBM’s sight-saving work. The afternoon included tea and cake and a fun sing-along, thanks to the musical talents of Peter leading on piano. There was also a raffle and a Silent Auction, featuring a framed watercolour by local artist and teacher Helen Clarke.

Gill and Peter have been CBM supporters and volunteers for more than a decade and, inspite of recent health challenges, still inspire us with their enthusiasm and passion for helping others.

“Peter and I enjoy organising events like ‘Together’ for CBM. Volunteering can help you learn new skills or utilise old ones. It is vital for Peter to keep playing the piano for others to enjoy, which increases his self-confidence. Volunteering brings fun and fulfilment to life!” explains Gill.

Would you like to help raise money to transform lives in the world’s poorest communities? Get some inspiration and find out more (open link in new tab)!

Worldwide, an incredible 3 out of 4 people who are blind don’t need to be. Many women, men and children in poverty have no access to the most basic of eye health services. And too often, if you live in a poor community, losing your sight also means losing the chance to go to school, live independently or earn a living.

Donations to CBM will help to:

• Improve access to sight-saving eye treatments, like cataract surgery, including for people in remote or rural areas, far from the nearest eye hospital.
• Eliminate blinding diseases like river blindness and trachoma that blight some of the world’s poorest communities.
• Support screening programmes that identify people with eye conditions and enable them to access treatment before it’s too late.
• Ensure people with low-vision can access glasses, braille, canes and support.
• Train specialist doctors, nurses and other health workers to identify and treat eye conditions and equip eye hospitals.

Find out more about CBM’s sight-saving work (open link in new tab).

Images: 1^st – Gill and Peter Godber with their guests at their World Sight Day garden party. 2^nd – Peter Godber playing piano and singing along with party guests. 3^rd – Gill and Peter Godber cutting the cake, with a CBM logo printed on.