I am a qualified paediatric Ophthalmic Nurse and I currently work at West Suffolk Hospital's Eye Treatment Centre in Bury St Edmunds. I have worked in Ophthalmology for 25 years. Before I retired in August this year I worked for 16 years as an Ophthalmic Sister and I now work part-time as an Ophthalmic Nurse again.

In 2006 my passion for this area of medicine, and people who are in need, lead me to Moulvibazar Eye Hospital in Bangladesh with a team from West Suffolk Hospital. The team went to help train the doctors and nurses and educate them in 'best practice' in dealing with patients, surgery and administering treatment. The unexpected love that I felt for this country meant that I continued to work with the hospital after our visit and I have now been working voluntarily with Moulvibazar Eye Hospital for 10 years.

Moulvibazar Eye Hospital is dedicated to giving sight back to the blind through cataract operations for children and adults. The hospital is not government funded and operates through charitable giving.

I have been saddened while working with the hospital because some children who have been brought in needing sight saving operations have been turned away because they have no ability to contribute to the cost of their surgery.

The cost of cataract surgery for one child is £85. This includes:
- the surgeon and operating staff
- a paediatric anaesthetist (who visits the hospital monthly and is rare and very expensive)
- the intra-ocular lens
- equipment for the surgery itself

My crowdfunding would allow me to create a supply of money that the hospital can access specifically for children who would otherwise be turned away because they cannot afford the surgery. Every penny will go towards helping someone regain their sight.

I am returning to the hospital in March 2017. I cannot wait to work with my hospital friends again, but I would also love to help them reach a place where they never have to turn a patient away because of money.