Standard Chartered raises $82m to fight blindness

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The Standard Chartered Bank said it has mobilised over $82 million through its “Seeing is Believing” initiative, aimed at fighting avoidable causes of blindness in Nigeria and other Commonwealth nations.

Besides, as the Commonwealth Heads of Government convene in Malta this weekend, it has partnered with The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust in a documentary titled: “Time to See,” which would be presented as an exhibition at the event.

It highlights work that the two organisations are doing through the Seeing is Believing programme, to prevent avoidable blindness and billed to tour the Commonwealth countries throughout 2016.

The Vice Chairman of Standard Chartered Private Bank and a member of the bank’s “Seeing is Believing” management committee, Richard Pattle, said: “These remarkable images highlight the numerous and diverse forms of blindness which affect tens of millions of people around the world. Since 2003, Standard Chartered Bank, through its employee-driven Seeing is Believing initiative, has raised over $82million to help eradicate avoidable blindness.

“Through our strategic partnership with The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust over the last two years, we continue to make a significant impact across the Commonwealth.

“Standard Chartered Bank is immensely proud to stand alongside the Trust in presenting this landmark exhibition, and hope that it will act as a call to arms to help end avoidable blindness.”

The exhibition, which already has been privately viewed by Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales aims to bring to the attention of the Commonwealth and the world the impact of avoidable blindness, and the solutions readily available to end it.

“There are 98 million people in the Commonwealth today who are blind or have low vision, yet four out of five needn’t be. There are straightforward, known solutions that can make an incalculable difference to the lives of millions of individuals and families who are unnecessarily affected,” Pattle added.

The Chief Executive of The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee, Dr Astrid Bonfield: said: “To be able to present these impactful images to Commonwealth Heads of Government and their delegations is an incredible opportunity.

“’Time to See’ demonstrates the unparalleled work that our partners are delivering across the Commonwealth to save the sight of millions. Bringing the exhibition to CHOGM will help raise the awareness of the sad, and often unknown reality.”

Source: TheGuardian