Eye-sight’s worth saving

June 2008

The London Eye is pleased to announce that its annual Flight for Sight programme has been awarded to Action for Blind People, a national charity dedicated to breaking down barriers that prevent visually impaired people from having the same opportunities as sighted people.

The two organisations will work in partnership on the London Eye’s ‘Flight for Sight’ on 9 October 2008. This event is held on World Sight Day, a global annual event highlighting the plight of visually impaired people all over the world.

Action for Blind People is an expert national organisation, ensuring blind and partially sighted people get practical support in all aspects of their lives. This year Action is working to raise awareness of the plight of people newly-diagnosed with sight loss, the majority of whom currently wait up to a year for any advice or practical support. Action will be using Flight for Sight to launch this campaign. David Sharpe, Managing Director for the London Eye said:

We are delighted to be working in partnership with Action for Blind People for Flight for Sight this year. The London Eye is deeply committed to supporting organisations that work to promote and preserve sight, particularly on a local level. We are very much looking forward to welcoming Action and their guests to the London Eye on World Sight Day.

Stephen Remington, Chief Executive of Action for Blind People said:

“Action is tremendously proud to have the opportunity to co-host Flight for Sight this year. In the time it takes the London Eye to complete one revolution, two people in the UK will begin to lose their sight. What is even more frightening is that those individuals will have an 80% chance of waiting a year before they receive any advice or practical support with their sight loss. Action is committed to changing this terrible state of affairs, and Flight for Sight offers us the perfect opportunity to raise awareness, work in partnership and launch a campaign of activity.''