THE Forest of Dean Lions Club is asking Review readers to jump onboard their campaign to help provide eye operations in Sri Lanka.

The global campaign, Sharing the Vision, is taking place throughout October and focuses on the importance of healthy vision. The sight initiative is an ongoing project where the club collect glasses for recycling, with the help of the Co-op in Lydney, Raymonds stores in Coleford and the workers at the recycling centre at Oak Quarry, Broadwell who sort and box the glasses. The glasses are then sent to Chichester Lions where they are sorted.

About 20 per cent are re-used and sent to third world countries, the others are recycled for the metal in the frames. As a result of their many years of collection, Chichester Lions have donated £1,000 towards the project.

"Lions throughout the world share a common vision - to fight blindness and provide vision care for all. Many eye and vision problems have no obvious signs or symptoms, and as a result, individuals are often unaware that problems exist. Eighty percent of all vision impairment can be avoided or cured. Organising this project gives us a chance to raise awareness of the importance of healthy vision and the causes of vision loss," said Andy Tooze, President of the Forest of Dean Lions.

The club hopes that with the help of the Review they can send several thousand pounds to the 'Nethsetha' Lions Vision for Sight Hospital Trust in Sri Lanka, which is run by the Lions of Sri Lanka. All the treatment is free to the poor and a cataract operation cost as little as £50, and the club hopes to provide 50 operations. Donations can be sent to the Review with cheques made payable to the Forest of Dean Lions.