Caring Buddies are being urged to get in the frame – by donating old and unused pairs of glasses.

The team at Stafffinders recruitment agency in New Street, Paisley are running a campaign to collect as many pairs of specs as possible for this year’s Vision Aid overseas appeal.

And parishioners at St Mirin’s Cathedral in Paisley have got the campaign off to a flying start.

Cheryl Callaghan of Stafffinders said “We have distributed 50 spectacle collection boxes to schools, churches, charity shops and businesses across Renfrewshire”.

“Thanks to the kindness and goodwill of staff and churchgoers at St Mirin’s Cathedral, more than 500 pairs of glasses have been donated to the campaign”.

“We were completely blown away by their generosity. It’s fantastic to think they managed to accumulate so many pairs of spectacles in such a short space of time.”

Many years ago, Jane Wylie-Roberts, Managing Director of Stafffinders, ran a highly successful campaign which involved collecting tens of thousands of old spectacles on behalf of Vision Aid Overseas. These were then redistributed to various countries in Africa including Ethiopia, Malawi and Zambia.

Now Cheryl is hoping that the current campaign will prove to be just as fruitful.  She said “We decided to rejuvenate the campaign to help what we believe to be a wonderful and worthwhile cause”.  “Every pair of specs we receive potentially allows a child to go back to school, an elderly person to live independently or gives mothers and fathers the sight they need to provide for their families”.

Monsignor John Tormey, of St Mirins Cathedral said his parishioners are happy to support such a worthy cause.  He added; “We only started collecting around a month ago, so it’s pleasing that we have managed to collect so many pairs of spectacles.  We stationed the collection box at a place where we thought everyone would see it and it seemed to work a treat. People tend to take things for granted these days but if you don’t have the ability to read an important form or even see your own grandchild, then it can be a huge disadvantage. This is also a very human way to extend charity to those who are less fortunate.  It’s great to be able to share our wealth around”.

Collection points have been set up at locations across Paisley, including Stafffinders in New Street, John Ogilvie Primary in Lacy Street, Mossvale Primary and St James Primary both in Gockston Road, Ralston Primary in School Road, Kersland School in Ben Nevis Road, Gleniffer High in Amochrie Road, Foxbar, Martyrs Church in Broomlands Street, the Wynd Centre in School Wynd, St Mary’s Church in George Street, St Mark’s Oldhall Church in Glasgow Road, Miller McClure Opticians in Glasgow Road and the British Heart Foundation, Shelter, Salvation Army and Help the Aged shops all in High Street.

They can also be handed in at Our Lady of Peace Primary, St Convals Church and Linwood Parish Church all in Linwood.

You can get more information on collection locations and how you can help here.  Glasses should be in good condition and as it costs £3 to distribute a set of spectacles abroad, people are being asked to consider giving a small cash donation when handing in their spectacles.

Donations can also be made online at www.justgiving.co.uk/stafffinders.