North East

For those in the developing world with poor vision, education and employment are out of reach. Many find daily living difficult and dangerous.

Three hundred million people in the developing world require a pair of spectacles to live an ordinary life.

With the correct spectacles, people can learn, work and achieve a quality of life otherwise unobtainable.

We in Britain can make a fuss of selecting the perfect style but luckily we can pick and choose.

Even the old pairs we chuck out could still be turned into a life changing gift for someone less fortunate.

Familiar specs

Inside Out follows some spectacles that used to adorn the face of a TV legend as they made their way from Yorkshire to see a whole new world… Africa.

Richard Whiteley was one of the most famous faces on television. Two years ago he died aged 61.

For many years Michele De Vaal has been volunteering for Vision Aid Overseas a charity that recycles unwanted specs and gives them to people in the developing world.

Famous neighbours

Richard Whiteley and his long term partner Kathryn Apanowicz were Michele’s neighbours in East Witton, North Yorkshire.

Michele took three pairs, expensive Timmy Mallet style, in the hope someone could see with them.

Michele asked Katherine: “What do you think Richard would make of these going out to Ethiopia?”

"He would laugh", said Katherine. "He would be thrilled if there was something that could be passed on or used, no point in holding onto these things.

"What a brilliant idea somebody who hasn't the gift of sight would be able to get on with their life

"Richard did not have the best sight in the world, I donated his eyes and now giving his glasses which is great. Such a simple idea.

"I am sure he would be there thinking oh blimey that is a good idea, especially if she is a lovely looking woman."

Meanwhile in Ethiopia…

Any high street in the UK has at least one opticians but in Ethiopia it is a different story.

Michele De Vaal and her friend Vera, an optician from Cumbria, set up a clinic in Butajira, a small rural town.

They have been on the look out for people who can use Richard Whitleley’s spectacles.

Deserving causes

Adam, is a tailor who is struggling to do his work, and with a family of 13 to feed. He experiences problems threading the needle of his sewing machine.

Adam says it is a big problem. He cannot make a living without good vision.

Adam provides for his large family with his tailoring work - if he cannot see, he cannot provide for all my family. His eyes are his livelihood.

He’s very happy to have his new found vision.

So the first pair of Richard’s specs finds a satisfied new owner.  The glasses are more used to looking round a TV studio!

Their new home is in Africa and they'll make a real difference to Adam’s work.

Schoolmaster suited

The next stop was the local school, where Muligator was trying his best to teach his class. But he has only one good eye, and is struggling to read with that one.

“There is a problem in checking the students work without glasses, if I get the glass I can read.

A simple pair of reading glasses, which he cannot afford, will make all the difference, but will Richard Whiteley’s newest specs do the job?

After eye tests and the provision of spectacles to Muligator the problem is solved.

Muligator was very happy: "I am happy to have these glasses. I can read without problems and check the students text books and communicate freely with them".

Student sorted

Tablet is 15, and a bright girl at school, but her education is suffering, as she’s very short sighted. She, like hundreds of people, turned up at the clinic in the hope of help.

There are three pairs of Richard’s specs on three people making a real difference in Africa.

Ethiopia is a long way from North Yorkshire but Michele De Vaal cannot help thinking about Richard, who often used to ask about her trips.

Michele knew he would have been thrilled that his specs have been put to good use.

New developments

Vision Aid Overseas gives out thousands of pairs of specs a year, but one day their work in Ethiopia will be done.

In Gonder there are the first students in Ethiopia training to be opticians.

In 2008 these students will qualify and will be supporting the work Vision Aid Overseas began in rural Ethiopia.

So as with his life… Richard Whiteley's spectacles are making a difference.