February 26, 2001 9:41: A ROTARY club is appealing for old spectacles to help improve the lives of thousands of people in the Third World.

Vision Aid Overseas has asked the Rotary Club of High Wycombe to organize a collection of spare glasses in the area as part of a national appeal.

The charity, established more than 15 years ago, collects, sorts and dispenses glasses for thousands of people in the Third World.

Rotarian Rod Armitage of Chalfont St Peter says that the lives of of people in developing countries are blighted by bad eyesight, and these unwanted glasses can transform their way of life.

Five years ago Wycombe Rotarians collected more than 2,000 pairs of glasses for rural African communities.

This time the target is to collect around 3,000 pairs by the end of March.

A team of volunteer optometrists will then travel to the Third World to dispense the spectacles to needy people.

Eight schools and a network of offices and factories have already started collecting their unused glasses, but Mr Armitage is making an appeal to the people of High Wycombe to donate their unwanted glasses.

Collection points have been set up at Boots, Vision Express and A R Salter in High Wycombe, or alternatively you can contact Rotarian Peter Brion on (01494) 523652.