Want a piece of Ewan McGregor?

Photo from www.jamd.com

Scottish actors Ewan McGregor and Robbie Coltrane are among 24 celebrities who donated their glasses to a charity auction. Here's more from the auction's official site:

All glasses will be listed on EBay, the auction kicks off on Friday 15 August at 10am, and will end on Sunday 24 August at 10am.

What would you miss?

The campaign also encouraged the participating celebrities to think about what they would miss most without their specs.

Ewan McGregor commented: “Without my specs I couldn't get around so safely and I couldn't see the beautiful colours of the world.” BBC news reader Kate Silverton was more pragmatic: “Without my specs I would have difficulty doing my job reading the news”. Writer Alan Bennett said: “I can see perfectly well but my face looks rather odd.”

The impact in the developing world

In developing countries it can be a challenge for people to get their eyes tested and buy a pair of glasses. This is often because there are too few ophthalmologists, not enough equipment and also people simply can’t afford prescription lenses. Not having glasses effectively renders people blind or visually impaired usually with disastrous consequences for their livelihoods, families, schooling and quality of life. Last year Sightsavers screened more than two million people across three continents to see if they need glasses, and we hope to reach even more this year. We can provide new glasses for as little as £1.50 per pair.

The lots available can be viewed and bid for at www.sightsavers.org/ebay. All glasses start from just £15, the equivalent of ten pairs of glasses in the developing world.

Source: SightSavers via ONTD!