Charity Initiative of the Year

Optometrist Anjana Taank has headed up Cambridge-based Taank Optometrists for the last 12 years. The independent practice currently raises funds for international eye care charity Sightsavers

As an independent optical practice, Taank Optometrists aims to provide local patients with excellent community-based care, something which many people can take for granted, explained Anjana Taank. 

At Taank Optometrists, the practice team understands that elsewhere in the world there are too many people without access to good eye care who are affected by blindness. 

As a result, the practice is currently raising funds for Sightsavers, a charity which works in more than 30 countries around the world to eliminate avoidable blindness.

The work undertaken by Sightsavers takes place in some of the poorest communities around the globe – running projects which help to cure blindness and assist those living with impaired vision to be included and independent. “It echoes the community values that we hold here at Taank,” said optometrist and practice owner, Ms Taank. 

To raise funds for Sightsavers, last year the practice participated in the local Mill Road Winter Fair, which annually attracts around 20,000 people. 

Sharing details of the practice’s activities for the fair, Ms Taank said: “We wanted to stand out, so we provided free hot chocolate and cookies to all visitors, giving them a warm welcome and a well-deserved break from the winter chill. In order to raise funds for Sightsavers, we offered half price eye examinations to everyone who booked on the day, with the fee then donated directly to the charity. By way of a thank you, everyone who booked was also treated to a complimentary chair massage by a qualified therapist.” 

Ms Taank confirmed that the money raised through the Winter Fair had gone directly towards various Sightsavers projects in some of the world’s poorest places and will help to prevent and cure blindness ensure that people living with irreversible blindness can live independent lives. 

Commenting on the benefits of supporting a good cause, Ms Taank said: “We hope that our fundraising efforts have helped raise much needed money for Sightsavers, but also elevated the profile of the charity in the immediate community.”

Runners up: Vision Aid Overseas and Edmonds & Slatter Opticians