Eyecamp 2012

The 2012 Sikh Union Eye Camp was held in association with members of Lodge Devon at their Freemasons Hall in Jalandhar on Sunday 26th February.

Although the date for our Eye Camp had already been decided at our committee meeting two months earlier, the official fund raising appeal was launched on Thursday 19th January at St Mary's Guildhall by The Right Worshipful The Lord Mayor of Coventry, Councillor Keiran Mulhall. Prior to the above launch, and having had a formal meeting with Councillor Harjinder Singh Sehmi, regarding the proposed plans by The Lord Mayor and other Councillors to accompany members of Sikh Union to oversee our Eye Camp, it was decided that the best option to maximise the awareness of our organisation to a wider audience would be by the generous offer by The Lord Mayor to officially launch an appeal to raise funds for this year's Eye Camp.

The Launch was attended by members of Sikh Union, our sponsors, volunteers, Councillors from the City of Coventry and other distinguished guests.

As a gesture of goodwill and on behalf of the Sikh Union, a cheque for £100.00 was presented to The Lord Mayor towards his Charities, along with a gift for The Lord Mayor himself.

Funds raised during the launch were in excess of £4000.00 which included generous donations from Businessmen from Coventry and Birmingham. All initial preparations for the Eye Camp in Jalandhar were made by the Brethren of Lodge Devon including advertising in the local papers, announcements in local villages, arranging marquees, ordering tricycles, arranging catering for all and making arrangements with The Ruby Nelson Memorial Hospital.

In Jalandhar, we were honoured and delighted to have the company of The Lord Mayor who was accompanied by his daughter Mrs Kim Gaudie as the Lady Mayores, his secretary Mrs Jane Barlow and also Councillor Harjinder Singh Sehmi.

The official inauguration of the Eye Camp was performed by The Lord Mayor and his daughter. The Eye Camp was very successful with a team of doctors, opticians and nurses attending from The Ruby Nelson Memorial Hospital checking approximately 500 people initially, and thereafter 110 cataract operations were carried out at the hospital during the following day.

Twelve tricycles were also given to disabled people who had initially registered with the organising team.On the evening of Monday 27th February, a reception was organised by the Brethren of Lodge Devon, at The Country Inn Hotel, to honour The Lord Mayor and other distinguished guests including members of Sikh Union. The gathering was thoroughly enjoyed by all attending.

For their support and generous donations, we would like to thank the following individuals:

The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Coventry - Councillor Keiran Mulhall

Councillor Harjinder Singh Sehmi - Coventry City Council

The Worshipful Master and Brethren of Lodge Devon of Jalandhar

Dr. Jacob and his team from The Ruby Nelson Memorial Hospital - Jalandhar

Mr Bob Matharu - Wow Events Coventry: donation of 100 cases of drinking water (cups)

All our sponsors and volunteers - in England and Jalandhar

EYE CAMP LAUNCH – 19TH JANUARY 2012 at SAINT MARY’S GUILD, COUNCIL HOUSE, COVENTRY

The preparation for the eye camp in Jalandhar, India were ongoing, Councillor Harjinder Singh Sehmi requested he would like to attend the eye camp and also extended the invitation to the Lord Mayor of Coventry, Keiran Mulhall who to our delight accepted the offer, with the fund raising ongoing the lord mayor arranged an official launch of the free eye camp at the council house which was attended by councillors, dignitaries from the community and also members of the public. Presentations were done to show the audience the ‘SEWA’ selfless service, the Sikh Union Coventry undertake on behalf of the local community. It proved a very successful evening with several hundred pounds raised on the evening for the free eye camp in Jalandhar, India.

We like to thank the lord mayor, Keiran Mulhall for arranging the fund raising evening and also all the people who donated generously on the evening. Here are some photographs taken on the evening by Just Right Photography.

Enjoy.