An eyesight charity set a new Guinness World Record during their recent successful two-day event in Central London.
SeeAbility focuses on highlighting sight problems in those with learning disabilities and ensuring everyone gets the eye care they need.
During their event on May 28 and 29, the organisation achieved a world record for the ‘Most participants featured on a live portrait installation in 48 hours.’
SeeAbility’s director of eye care, Lisa Donaldson, said: “We are so grateful to every single person who showed up to be a part of our mural, helping us raise awareness and vital funds.”
The charity hopes the event and Guinness World Record will help raise awareness of a significant issue which is often overlooked.
Donaldson said: “We estimate that there are 800,000 people with learning disabilities of all ages in the UK who are living with sight problems, and up to half are missing the support they need.”
The event in Potters Park, just across from Tower Bridge, saw 800 members of the public agree to participate in the Guinness World Records attempt.
The participants had their picture taken, which was then illustrated live in the park by London-based artists Luke Embden and Alex the Doodler, who worked around the clock.
The finished artwork represents the scale of the issue, with each face representing 1,000 people with learning disabilities living with sight problems across the UK.
This event was just one of the organisation’s many initiatives intended to raise awareness of the issue of sight problems in people with learning disabilities in the UK.
SeeAbility’s mission is to highlight the tens of thousands of people throughout the UK who have learning disabilities and are missing out on basic eye care.
At the centre of the mural is 20-year-old Terence, whose life changed dramatically earlier this year thanks to SeeAbility’s Special Schools Eye Care team.
For 20 years, Terence, who is autistic and cannot express himself verbally, saw only a blur until SeeAbility were able to step in and provide him with glasses, changing his life significantly.
Terence’s mum, Chantal Panzu, said: “It is like a miracle, that’s the only way I can describe it.
“Without exaggeration, SeeAbility has given my son the gift of sight. I am so incredibly grateful.”
SeeAbility aims to continue reaching people like Terence who might otherwise miss out on the eyecare they need.
Children with learning disabilities are 28 times more likely to have a serious sight problem, but far less likely to engage with traditional eye care providers.
The event is just one element of SeeAbility’s campaign titled ‘From moments missed to moments that matter’.
Feature image: Kate Sidwell, on behalf of SeeAbility
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