AT this time each year Lions worldwide focus their attention on World Sight Day, which this year was on October 12.

World Sight Day focuses global attention on blindness and vision impairment. 

Lions have been leaders in supporting this cause since 1925, when Helen Keller challenged them to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness”.

Lions Clubs International developed and launched World Sight Day in 1988 to recognise the importance of fighting preventable blindness around the world.

Since the inception of the SightFirst programme in 1990, Lions Clubs International Foundation has awarded 1,287 SightFirst grants totalling the equivalent of £253 million, with activity taking place in more than 100 countries.

So much has been accomplished, and there has been a significant reduction in the prevalence of visual impairment worldwide.  However, much work remains.

Currently, 253 million individuals are blind or visually impaired, and it’s critically important that Lions, and the Lions Club International Foundation remain engaged in this cause.

Diabetes affects more people than any other serious health condition in the UK. Each week thousands suffer blindness as a consequence of Diabetes.

Over many years Crediton Lions has been active in the promotion of Diabetes screening programme and this year at the Devon County Show, where almost 500 tests were carried out. Lions helpers had the pleasure of meeting Lions patron HRH Sophie Wessex, this year’s Show President.

Here in Crediton, Lions have grown the Talking Newspaper (read from the “Crediton Courier”) from small beginnings to serve almost 50 listeners in our area.

However, we know from statistics of those with visual impairment that there are many more out there who could benefit from our service, bringing the local news and information direct to the home each week.

So if any of you know of anyone with visual impairment who you feel would benefit from our service we would love to hear from you through this newspaper or by telephoning 01363 82878 or 01363 773437.

It is with great pleasure and enjoyment that the Lions and readers meet each week to bring the news directly to the homes of the visually impaired.

Lion Eric Parkes

President