The answer has been a resounding yes and so far, the collection points at Christ The King Anglican Church, the offices of the Junta de Freguesia de Almancil, ASCA (Associação Social e Cultural de Almancil) and SB de Alportel have received a staggering 400 pairs.

These used and no longer needed spectacles are now being sent back to the UK to Lions Club International to be refurbished and repurposed for developing nations around the world including Africa, India and Eastern Europe.


Speaking at the handover of the Boxes of Spectacles to Algarve Express, Caminho do Cerro do Galo, Almancil, Jane Caulfield-Kerney, charity and fundraising officer for Christ The King Anglican Church said “A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to this appeal, both in the ex-pat and local Portuguese community. A special word of thanks goes to our friends at Algarve Express who have very kindly offered to transport the Spectacles back to the Lions in the UK. However, this is just the start – the work goes on, so everyone please check the back of your shelves and drawers for those specs that are no longer of any use to you, because for someone, somewhere this will mean a huge difference, and those of us who wear spectacles know how wonderful the gift of sight truly is.”

For collection points please contact us on (+351) 932 841 943. For further details about services, times and directions to The Church in the Park, Christ The King Anglican Church, Almancil please visit www.ctk.pt or facebook.com/ChristthekingAlgarve/.