Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists is on a mission to improve eye care in Africa

A chain of opticians and audiologists has donated thousands of spectacles to Sierra Leone as part of a charity project.

Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists, which has its head office and nine of its 51 practices in Yorkshire, has thrown its support behind the initiative that provides professional eye care services for teachers in the country who have been excluded from school eye health programmes.

The scheme has already resulted in 198 teachers across 10 schools throughout Sierra Leone receive support for their vision, with over 172 being provided with free eyewear from Bayfields.

The project has also seen Bayfields support an optician based in Sierra Leone, Ninimba Lebbie, through his university studies so he now has the qualifications and experience to provide quality eye care to thousands of patients across the region.

Megan Harper, Sustainability Manager at Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists said: “At Bayfields, we believe that everyone should be able to live their lives without vision-related obstacles.

“When we launched this project, in Sierra Leone alone, there was just one optometrist in the entire country of seven million people. We’re pleased to have been able to help more people receive the care they need to help detect, treat, and prevent sight issues and illnesses.”

Optometrist Ninimba Lebbie added: “I am forever grateful for the opportunity Bayfields provided in making my dream of becoming an optometrist a reality. The support through the two years of my studies has been invaluable because without it, I would never have made it this far.”

Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists provides hearing and sightcare services for clients throughout the UK.