The trip was inspired by Newmedica's 81-year-old patient Kate Oakley, who received laser treatment at the clinic and has spent more than 20 years volunteering in Uganda.

Ms Oakley, who lives in Caunsall, accompanied the Newmedica team on the trip and joined them as they undertook eye tests for locals, determining prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses, sometimes addressing conditions such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, and fitting people with .glasses.

And their support went beyond just eye care.

The team raised more than £10,000 to fund solar panels for the local school and a new kitchen, and they also donated clothing.

Newmedica staff say they plan to return in the future and hope to raise even more funds before their next visit.

Josh Raden, operations director at Newmedica Worcester & Bromsgrove, said: “We travelled from community to community, continuing to change lives by giving the gift of better sight, and the graciousness, warmth and hope we experienced in every interaction is hard to put into words.

“I’d like to thank everyone who donated glasses. They really are changing lives for the better, and they’ll continue to make an impact during our future trips out there.

“We have all been changed by what was an incredibly rewarding and humbling experience, and we will definitely return.”

The clinic is locally owned and led by consultant ophthalmologists Tarun Sharma, Ranjit Nair, Salman Mirza, Tom Jackson, Malcolm Woodcock and Matthew Edmunds, as well as operations director Josh Raden.

The clinic treats both NHS and private patients.

The Newmedica Worcester & Bromsgrove team is still raising funds for those living in and around Kititi. To make a donation, go online at https://gofund.me/b307d4e58

Source Broomsgrove Advertiser