The Fred Hollows Foundation is driven by Fred’s vision to eliminate avoidable blindness around the world. We know the best way to do that is to work with our partners and empower local communities towards long-term, sustainable change. We know how to help, but there’s more work to be done. That’s why we need the help of our supporters to help fund programs such as eye operations, training surgeons and eye health workers, community education and other sustainable initiatives. The "Brighten Your Future" Monthly Donation Program will provide us with a stable income to continue our crucial sight-saving work around the world, changing the lives of those suffering from avoidable blindness.
Across the globe, face-to-face fundraising has been proven to be the most cost-effective and efficient form of fundraising. As a result of face-to-face fundraising, The Fred Hollows Foundation has been able to increase the number of eye operations being performed in the developing world from 50,000 in 2005 to 176,000 in 2008. As a leading Australian charity founded in 1992, The Fred Hollows Foundation has been running face-to-face fundraising in Australia since 2003. In 2016, we launched face-to-face fundraising in Hong Kong and everyday our ambassadors connect with potential donors to share about The Foundation’s work and to inspire and encourage potential donors to give regularly to The Foundation, enabling us to help more people in the future. Moreover, our face-to-face fundraising ambassadors play an important role in reaching thousands of members of the public every day to spread awareness of the importance of eye health and to increase public understanding of avoidable blindness.
Our ambassadors are readily identifiable in easy-to-recognize uniforms with their organisation and Social Welfare Department permits, ready to play a part in the mission to end avoidable blindness. In order to ensure the highest level of customer service, our face-to-face ambassadors receive regular training on topics ranging from handling customer privacy to our eye health programs. Our face-to-face ambassadors are part of the Face-to-Face Monthly Giving Alliance, a charity-led self-regulatory membership body that maintains and improves professional standards of face-to-face monthly donor recruitment in Hong Kong. If you would like to provide feedback on our face-to-face ambassadors or want more information, feel free to get in touch with us.
When I started working with The Fred Hollows Foundation, my hope was to influence more people to learn about the impact that eye diseases can have on a person’s life. The fundraising work that I am doing is very positive and meaningful and the kindness of each supporter has inspired me to keep going. I once met a gentleman on the street whose eyes had been injured and needed to be bandaged for a while, and he told me how much it mattered to him to have good eyesight during this time. Not only did he become a supporter of The Foundation, but he also shared words of encouragement to me. I will always remember this moment. I believe that every bit of support can change someone’s life.
I have been involved in street fundraising and back-office support for more than 11 years. Street fundraising was my first job after graduation, and I found it exciting and challenging. Eventually, I felt a sense of belonging to my role. The Fred Hollows Foundation is unique in that it brings the miracle of sight to those with avoidable blindness in underdeveloped and under-resourced parts of the world. The Foundation does this by giving these people the chance to help themselves. I hope that everyone can share this vision.
Since working with The Fred Hollows Foundation, members of the public have been my greatest motivation. I remember meeting someone who just had eye surgery and she described the feeling of helplessness before the surgery and how thankful she was after the surgery. She expressed her gratitude for the work that The Foundation is doing to help children with cataract. All these experiences are still vivid in my mind, empowering me to overcome any obstacle.
Since working with The Fred Hollows Foundation in 2017, I have met people from all walks of life, and I’ve noticed that many people suffer from different eye problems. This reminded me that even in a bustling city like Hong Kong, eye health is still a concern. A few years ago, I had the privilege to visit Yunnan, one of the places we provide our services. After a long 7 hour drive, I experienced how difficult it is for people living in rural areas to access medical care. Thank you to each supporter for taking the first step in understanding our mission and lending their support, so The Foundation can help more people in need.
I stay committed to my fundraising work because I hope to show to my daughter that not everyone is fortunate enough to born with good eyesight. I hope that through my work, I can make a difference to people so that they can see the beauty of this world. I once had a supporter tell me: “I want to help even if it means I can’t go to school and not have money for food.” This made me realise that if you stay determined, the future will be full of hope. Thank you to all our supporters for making me realize the power of small acts of kindness to make a huge difference. I will keep working hard!
Everyone, including children, should not suffer from eye diseases and should receive the treatment that they need to live a normal, healthy life. As a face-to-face fundraiser, our mood will be influenced by people’s support and rejection, but seeing the positivity and passion that our colleagues bring motivates me to keep going. I would like to thank all the supporters, because with your help and donations, people in need can restore their sight and pursue their dreams.
I started working with The Fred Hollows Foundation in 2016. A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to visit one of the places we provide our services. After a long 4-hour treacherous journey by car, we arrived to visit an old lady who had cataract. She was not at all woeful because she could not see. Rather, she was so grateful to see the people from The Foundation arrive and she said happily: “My greatest wish is to see my grandson grow up healthy and happy.” I hope to use this opportunity to tell people that every little bit that you give, could transform someone’s life.
In a blind experience workshop, I learned what life is like for blind people, which inspired me to help them. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a part of The Fred Hollows Foundation’s fundraising efforts to help more people in need. I would like to acknowledge people who are willing to stop on the street to hear me talk about The Foundation’s sight-saving work.
I remember one particularly difficult day fundraising on the street, and it started to drizzle. Suddenly, I heard a young lady’s voice asking me about The Foundation and information on how to donate. After learning more about The Foundation, she offered to support and even sent her blessings before she left. This is my greatest motivation to keep my passion for working for the organisation.
I have been in the fundraising industry for 16 years. I have stayed with The Fred Hollows Foundation for several years because I firmly believe that children with avoidable blindness should be able to get the right treatment they need. I remember my encounter with a woman who had just finished an eye surgery. She could resonate with the helplessness and fear you feel if you lose your sight, and she was extremely happy to support The Foundation. I want to thank each and every supporter for giving those with avoidable blindness the chance to get timely treatment.
Before I learnt about The Fred Hollows Foundation, I didn’t know that so many children in the world were born with preventable eye diseases. It’s good to learn that The Foundation is helping them restore their sight and I’m proud to be a part of their sight-saving work. This mission will inspire me to keep going!