05 October 2016
Raised amount can help restore sight of 31,000 children

Dubai, UAE – Dubai Airports and its partners have raised AED 1.25 million (approximately US$ 340,600) for Orbis, the international eye care charity organisation best known for its flying eye hospital, through their ‘Your Sight, Our Happiness’ campaign. The amount raised is enough to help restore the sight of as many as 31,000 children suffering from cataracts worldwide.

Launched in March earlier this year under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Airports, the campaign involved a number of activities to raise funds for the noble cause.

The event hosted a special charity luncheon sponsored by Emirates Flight Catering where corporate entities could donate by sponsoring tables while individuals attending the event were offered the opportunity to sponsor cataract eye surgeries through donation coupons worth AED 40 per surgery.

The highlight of the campaign was the Plane Pull contest* where 10 teams from across the airport community took the challenge to pull National Air Cargo’s 747 aircraft the furthest distance. Each team also made a contribution for the Orbis charity via the UAE Red Crescent. Sporting contests such as basketball, foosball and bowling were also organised with participants playing blindfolded to raise awareness about daily challenges faced by those with visual impairments.

Describing the campaign as a huge success Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports said, “We are very happy with the outcome of the campaign. It is deeply satisfying to know that the collective efforts and generosity of employees of Dubai Airports and our partners, as well as the support and contribution from corporate entities will help improve the lives of thousands of children by restoring their sight.”

Rebecca Cronin, CEO, Orbis UK said, “We are so thankful to Dubai Airports for choosing Orbis to benefit from the wonderful ‘Your Sight Our Happiness’ event. The loyal support of the aviation community and the incredible amount raised through the Plane Pull will allow us to reach even more children desperately in need of sight-saving treatments. A child who can see is a child who has a chance of an education, employment and a chance to contribute to his community and to flourish. On behalf of us all at Orbis, I would like to particularly thank His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum for his leadership and his generosity.”

The events conducted as part of the initiative was supported with kind contributions from the following organisations: Mojo, Al Naboodah, General Director of Residency & Foreigner Affairs, National Air Cargo, Faberge Events, Go Fit UAE Gym, Badamli, Gearhouse, Joseph Graphics, Joseph Advertisers, London Diary, Glenda Biscuits, AB Marketing, Friesland Dairy (Rainbow), Dubai Customs, dnata, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai World Trade Centre, Valtrans, Al Fajer, Emirates Flight Catering, Smith Detection, Dubai Duty Free, Big Bear, PowerPrint, Anglo Arabian Healthcare, AXA Insurance, Magrabi Eye Hospital, Airlink, Allied Transport Company, Verger Delporte, Intercare, Geodis, Siemens, Serco, Kuehne + Nagel LLC, Viking Gulf, G4S (MIHY), Fedex, Farnek.com, Berkeley Services, EMC, Emrill, and du.

-Ends-

About Dubai Airports

  • Dubai Airports manages the operation and development of both of Dubai’s airports – DXB and DWC. As integrator, Dubai Airports works to balance the interests of all stakeholders to maintain aviation growth, protect operational resilience and ensure that service providers collaborate to provide a safe and secure service and improve the experience of our customers whilst maintaining a sustainable business.

  • DXB is the world’s number one airport in terms of international passenger traffic and number three globally in terms of total passenger traffic as reported by Airports Council International.

  • DXB ranks second globally for international cargo traffic.

  • DWC ranks 20th globally for international cargo traffic.

●     * Click here to download images from the ‘Your Sight, Our Happiness’ Plane Pull Challenge.

About Orbis

  • There are 285 million people globally who  are visually impaired, with 80% suffering from conditions which can be avoided or cured - 90% of this figure lives in the developing world.

  • Orbis transforms lives through access to quality eye care. Working in collaboration with local partners including hospitals, universities, government agencies and ministries of health, Orbis provides hands-on ophthalmology training, strengthens healthcare infrastructure and advocates for supportive policies.

  • Orbis envisions a world where no one is needlessly blind or visually impaired·

  • Orbis operates the Flying Eye Hospital (FEH), a fully equipped mobile teaching hospital. On the outside, the plane is like most other aircraft. Inside, it's like no other - it hosts an ophthalmic hospital and teaching facility right on board.

  • In 2014 alone we trained 26,912 professionals and provided 6.1 Million treatments.

  • We currently have long term programmes in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Ethiopia, South Africa, Zambia, Cameroon, Ghana, China, Peru and Mongolia and our Flying Eye Hospital undertakes between 5 and 8 training programmes each year around the world. www.orbis.org.uk  

  • Discover more about Orbis at www.orbis.org.uk Follow us on twitter @UKORBIS  and like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ORBISUK

© Press Release 2016