| Fight for Sight | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1965 |
| President | Mrs Faanya Rose |
| Chairman | Mr Christopher Moore |
| Location | London, UK |
| Website | Website |
Fight for Sight is the leading UK charity dedicated to funding research to prevent sight loss and treat eye disease.
Since 1965 the charity has been funding medical research into a wide-range of eye conditions, including macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract , corneal eye disease, trachoma, diabetic retinopathy as well as a wide range of inherited eye diseases and the causes of childhood blindness.[1]
The charity funds researchers based at universities and hospitals throughout the UK and those undertaking research in the UK and overseas. To ensure the research is of the highest quality, the charity has established an extensive process of independent peer review. As a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), the peer review process complies with AMRC guidelines for best practice.[2]
Fight for Sight in the U.K. is unaffiliated with the organization also named Fight for Sight (U.S.) in the United States.
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Fight for Sight was founded in 1965 by Professor Norman Ashton CBE Director of Pathology at the Institute of Ophthalmology and a world leader in research into eye diseases. In the same year, the Prevention of Blindness Research Fund (which later became the British Eye Research Foundation) was established with funds raised by the Royal Eye Hospital League of Friends. In 1989, Prince Andrew, Duke of York became Fight for Sight’s Royal Patron.
Fight for Sight as it exists today evolved from a merger of Fight for Sight and the British Eye Research Foundation (formerly known as Iris Fund for Prevention of Blindness) in 2005. This merger created the largest national charity dedicated to funding eye research in the UK.
The charity's headquarters are in London, England. Fight for Sight's Royal patron is Prince Andrew, Duke of York.
Fight for Sight’s mission statement is “Fight for Sight funds pioneering research to prevent sight loss and treat eye disease”.
The charity’s aim is to support research that will reduce sight loss in adults and children.
Fight for Sight is governed by a board of Trustees who meet at least four times a year to agree the strategy and areas of activity for the charity. There are 12 Trustees on the board.
Mr Arnold Burton
Miss Joan Collins OBE
The Lord Colwyn CBE
Dr Ahmad Al-Dubayan, Director General of the The Islamic Cultural Centre and the London Central Mosque Trust
His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain
The Very Reverend John Hall, Dean of Westminster
Mr Rolf Harris OBE
Ms Phyllida Law
Miss Jan Leeming
Lady Susanna Lyell
Miss Sue MacGregor CBE
The Free Churches Moderator
The Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland
Mr Philip Mould OBE
Mrs Jane Ridley
President of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists
President of the Royal College of Physicians
Lord Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth
Sir James Spooner FCA
Fundraising activities undertaken by the charity’s supporters include coffee mornings, garden parties, a clay pigeon shoot, golf days, marathons, triathlons and cycle rides.
Fight for Sight also has guaranteed places available in some of the most popular running events such as the Virgin London Marathon, the ASICS British 10K, and the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon.[3]
Since 1965, the charity’s major achievements include:
Most of Fight for Sight's grant money is allocated to research teams based in the UK and attached to recognised academic or medical institutions. The research may be undertaken in the UK or overseas.
The charity provides a range of funding opportunities each year,[9] these include:
Fight for Sight is currently funding research projects at 20 universities and hospitals into a wide range of eye conditions. Below is a list of the conditions into which the charity is currently funding research.
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