TopicsA Benevolent Perspective: Rupal Shah
Optometrist Rupal Shah discusses her commitment to fundraising for both local and global eye health charities.
Rupal Shah, co-owner of Perspective Optometrists in Camden, north London, is no stranger to good causes. She’s participated in several Vision Aid Overseas trips to provide basic eye care to some of the world’s poorest communities, and for the last five years her practice has been steadfast in its support of various eye care charities in the UK.
This year Shah is fundraising for Vision Care for Homeless People, with Perspective Optometrists donating £40 from every private eye examination performed in February. The New Optometrist sat down with Shah for a quick chat about the importance of giving back – and how she balances her local and global fundraising efforts.
Can you outline Perspective Optometrists’ approach to fundraising?
For the last five years we’ve been running a “Healthy Sight Month” at the beginning of the year. It’s a marketing strategy that we’ve developed as members of Optical Success Academy. The message to our clients is, “If you book an eye test with us, we will donate a portion of each private sight test fee to our chosen charity.” This generates goodwill among our clients as well as publicity for the chosen charity. We’ve supported charities such as Guide Dogs for the Blind and Fight for Sight in the past.
What drew you to Vision Care for Homeless People?
Vision Care for Homeless People caught my eye as it really helps people who may not be able to access eye care otherwise. It resonates with me how sometimes it just takes one gesture to help get someone back on their feet again. Ideally, I would love to help out at Vision Care for Homeless People’s London clinic; unfortunately, with running a business and being a mum, I don’t have the time to dedicate to it. Supporting them by fundraising is the next best thing.
You’ve also been on some Vision Aid Overseas trips…
I have been lucky enough to take part in two trips – one to Pune in India and a few years later to Uganda. It really was an eye-opener to see how basic healthcare needs are so difficult to meet in rural settings like these. The delight on someone’s face when they are given a pair of glasses and get their vision back stays with you, but the inequality of it all is heartbreaking.
How do you balance your local fundraising with more global concerns?
Our February fundraiser always tries to support a local charity, but throughout the year we collect old pairs of glasses from our clients to donate them to Lions Club International, who sort and recycle them. The funds this generates help to support eye care needs around the world. It’s a small contribution but it all adds up.
We have had our practice since 2009 and we have a loyal, local following. As we become more established with a strong support team, I can step back from the day-to-day running of the practice and get more involved in other projects. I love that these activities generate goodwill and give our work more meaning.
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