Sikh Union, Coventry - Eye Care Camp - March 2009

Click her for the poster

The Sikh Union (Coventry) will be funding a 'Free Eye Care Camp' starting in March 2009. to be held at the Vishkarma Temple in Phillour, Punjab, India. The aim of this project is to provide free eye care treatment to approximately 600 underprivileged people from villages around Phillour. The funds raised will facilitate medical care in providing financial support for sight related illnesses such as free eye checks, provision of spectacles, treatment of various eye related conditions, and operations to remove cataracts. The funding will also cover the cost of medicines, hiring of the premises and free transport and food for all patients.

After the final planning and preparations, the camp will open for a duration of four days, and treatment will be carried out by a dedicated team of doctors and surgeons located in the purpose built facility.

The cost of the camp will be approximately £4500.00 and is entirely funded by the generous donations received by the Sikh Union through various fund raising events held in Coventry.

Part of the funds raised at 'The Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Charity Walk' by participating sponsored walkers, in October last year, will be donated to the eye care camp. This is an annual event and the funds raised are usually distributed to various local charities. Donations were received from many people attending the 'Sikh Union Annual Dinner Dance' held at the Mercia Club in December 2008. Large donations were received from businessmen attending this function including one for £1000.00 anonymously donated by two business brothers, a further £1000.00 was received from the members of a Freemasons Lodge.

One of the principles of the Sikh faith is 'an obligation to help those who are less fortunate then ourselves' and this is truly reflected in the generous donations for this project, received from members of the congregation at various Coventry Sikh Gurdwaras.

Seven members of the Sikh Union will travel to Punjab to oversee this project, which the organisation has pledged to make an ongoing annual event. Saudagar Singh Nagra, who has been involved in organising and raising funds for similar Eye Camps, will also be accompanying the group on this occasion.

For further details of our organisation, please visit our website:- www.sikhunion.co.uk. Donations can be sent to the above address - please make cheques payable to 'Sikh Union Coventry'. Old spectacles can be handed in at the Ramgarhia Gurdwara, 1103 Foleshill Road, Coventry.

Palvinder Chana
Chairman - Sikh Union (Coventry)