Tempted by summer’s new shades? Don’t throw your old ones away, as they could be put to good use in the developing world

TWO Durham venues have joined forces to launch Shade Aid, a new charity initiative fighting preventable blindness through recycling and giving away your unwanted sunglasses.

The Boathouse and Klute, both on Elvet Bridge are calling on the people of Durham to dig out their old sunglasses to donate.

The best pairs will be distributed by Vision Aid Overseas and Build Africa to people in Kenya, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ethiopia, Zambia and Malawi. Sunglasses cost as much as a year’s salary in developing countries, so they are simply unobtainable for the average person.

Any sub-standard specs will be recycled to raise money for the two charities’ preventable blindness projects.

“Last summer our Bra Bank campaign collected thousands of bras and we’re hoping to recreate the same success with sunglasses,” says Andrew Golding, general manager at Klute and The Boathouse.

Lucy Jenkins, communications manager for Vision Aid Overseas says: “Ocular sun damage is a serious health issue in Africa. By the time the average child is 18, they will have absorbed 80 per cent of their lifetime exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays. Extended UV exposure has been linked to cataracts and macular degeneration as well as other serious eye disorders which can cause loss of vision.

“Here in the UK we regularly change our sunglasses without really thinking about how important they are. People in excessively sunny places like Africa need proper eye protection but sadly, often do not have the access to eye care services and some will go their entire life without seeing an eye health professional.”

First to donate is The Only Way Is Essex star Cara Kilbey. Cara says, “Your sunglasses might be replaceable, but your eyes aren’t. Now you have an opportunity to help people in the world’s sunniest – but poorest – countries protect their eyes.

Shade Aid is a brilliant way for people to put their unwanted sunglasses to good use and it’s so easy to get involved.”

The sun may be a reluctant visitor in Britain, but in Africa there is a scorching 2,500 hours of sun a year. When a pair of sunglasses can cost as much as a year’s salary, this vital safeguard is simply unattainable.

It’s so easy to donate. Either drop them off at Klute or The Boathouse or pop them in the post any time before August 1.

• Klute is located on Elvet Bridge, Durham DH1 3AF
• The Boathouse, Elvet Riverside, Durham DH1 3AF
• shadeaid.org.uk