Lions give shoppers a new vision

The Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Zulfiqar Ali, walked through the Exchange Shopping Centre wearing a blindfold

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Shoppers in the Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre were learning more about their sight today (Saturday 16 October 2010) with the help of the Rochdale and District Lions Club.

The event was to mark World Sight Day and the Lions were on hand to collect unwanted glasses to send to eye camps in Africa.

Volunteers from the Lions showed shoppers varying levels of eye sight through glasses they had made; the glasses included tunnel vision and a level just below the driving standard.

For the children the most popular method of learning seemed to be being blindfolded and putting their hands in boxes and trying to identify what they were touching. The boxes were filled with salt and sugar, paper clips and safety pins and the final box included money, children and adults were asked to pull out a particular amount - it appeared this is easier said than done.

Jean Royle from the Rochdale and District Lions Club said: “We want to make people aware that by just a few pence a lot of blindness can be eradicated in places like Africa because just a few pence can by Vitamin A which can prevent river blindness.

“I am pleased with the response we have had today, people seem to be interested, and I really hope it makes people aware that the Lions are in Rochdale.”

The Mayor of Rochdale, Zulfiqar Ali, was also keen to learn more about World Sight Day.

Mayor Ali, walked, blindfolded, with the assistance of Lion Eileen Taylor, from the Rochdale Town Hall to the shopping centre, he said: “It was very unusual, I am glad I was invited, walking from the town hall to here was the experience of my lifetime.

“Having no sight is unimaginable. I feel privileged to be able to see.”